4 Week Learn Spanish, Dance & Culture

Overall rating: 9.7 based on 1 reviews

Program Description

A four week full cultural immersion based in Old Havana. Spanish classes are supplemented with dance classes, cultural tours, excursions and trips out of town.

Our ‘Learn Spanish, Culture & Dance’ 4 week program has been crafted to maximize your time in Old Havana (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Upon arrival Havana International Airport you will be picked up for a transfer to your Casa Particulares. This will be your home in Havana. You will have a shared bedroom with en suite, and take breakfast and lunch in the family kitchen diner. As with most homes, this is also a popular place to hang out and enjoy conversation with your host family! You will also have use of the family living room which enjoys balcony with cool breezes and great views of the streets below. As with most of Havana you will enjoy taking in the atmosphere which is truly unique.

Spanish Lessons

Each morning Monday to Friday from 09:00-11:45 you will receive 3* x 45 minute intensive structured Spanish lessons (each lesson is followed by a 15 minute break). Tuition is delivered by an accredited and licensed Cuban teacher, and lessons take place in the Casa. On the first morning there will be a short test to establish your level and requirements.

* The Cultural Immersion content will feature additional Spanish language tuition, oral comprehension and dialogue (approx. 4 hours per week).

Dance Classes

There are 2 dance classes per week – each approximately one hour duration, during which you will be taken through your paces learning Salsa, Son, Rueda de Casino, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, and Rumba and perhaps a few moves you haven’t heard of… The lessons are delivered a short walk from your Casa by a licensed dance instructor, and in the evenings there are MANY free live music venues where you can do your homework!

Cultural Immersion

In its day Havana was one of the most important and wealthy cities on the planet. The source of this wealth is undoubtedly controversial and Cuba’s more recent history is testament to this controversy. The faded patina of Havana’s gorgeous neo classical architecture, rumble of classic American cars and curious soviet era high rise buildings force you to question – what is Cuba?

We would like to help you answer this question through a series of cultural excursions and encounters with Cuban people. These will comprise three ‘sessions’ per week – it might be a guided tour of a museum, or a Sunday excursion down ‘Paseo del Prado’ to see the free open air art classes and discussion groups.

Jose Blanco Ramirez, known as VIANKO, will curate these cultural excursions. Vianko is a celebrated writer, humorist, poet and painter as well as a well-known academic at the University of Havana. We are excited that Vianko is collaborating with Jakera as we embark on a Cuban adventure together.

Weekend Excursions

During the 4 week program you will have three weekends, and we have included activities for each of these. For two weekends you will be accompanied on a daytrip to a beach directly east of Havana. Journey time is 30 minutes by bus and you will enjoy the exhilarating rollers that break on these pristine sandy beaches.

One weekend will feature an overnight trip to Viñales, a three hour drive to the central western region of Cuba. The Viñales is a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to the outstanding landscape, traditional architecture and agricultural techniques still used.

Highlights

This four week program builds on our ‘entry level’ 1-2 week Learn Spanish program. This program takes place in a ‘Casa Particlares’ in Old Havana, Spanish language lessons take place Monday to Friday in the mornings, and in the afternoons you will receive dance classes and cultural excursions. Weekend trips feature the beach and a roadtrip to Viñales.

You will be staying in a ‘Casa Particulare’. Breakfast and lunch will be taken in the family kitchen/diner and you can enjoy the comfort of the family living room with a pleasant balcony with views of the hustle and bustle below!

This is a comprehensive program that allows you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the past and present Cuban lifestyle. You will have the chance to explore this special country.

Qualifications

None

What`s Included

Accommodation
2 meals daily
60+ hours intensive Spanish lessons
Twice weekly dance lessons
Three times weekly cultural sessions
Two escorted trips to the beach
Overnight trip to Viñales Valley
Start date is the first Monday of every month

Program Locations

Havana, Cuba

Overall rating 
9.7
Experience
10
Program Administration
8
Living Conditions
10
Cultural Immersion
10
Social Life
10
Health and Safety
10
Review This Program

Program Details

Provider:
Jakera Cuba
Location
  • Cuba: Havana
Language:
Spanish
Duration:
2-4 weeks
Program Type:
Adventure Travel, Career Break, Eco-Tourism
Participants:
American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African, Worldwide
Cost:
4 week program: USD 1,580
  • Dear applicants, we encourage you to leave a personal review if you have ever taken part in this program. Leaving a review will help fellow travelers to decide where to go and which program to go with as they plan their trip abroad.
    Review this program
    My trip to Cuba with Jakera turned out to be a life changing experience! I went with high expectations and still ended up getting much more than I thought I would. Mostly I've made some great friends. We've had so much fun together that we've decided to organise a reunion trip to Cuba in the future. Thanks to our host family, particularly Amy, we all felt at home. She looked after us, gave us advice and always had great stories to tell about Cuba. We were never bored as everyday was filled with activities such as cultural excursions and day trips to the beach. The walking tours around Havana proved to be the best possible way of getting to know this fascinating city and turned out to be useful while exploring its even more exciting night life. We went out almost every night, danced like maniacs and even managed to challenge some Cubans on the dance floor! :) My favourite moments in Havana? Always the same! Getting in an old taxi and driving along the Malecon with reggaeton blasting in the background :) I would recommend the Jakera program to anyone who wants to travel to Cuba and is prepared for the outcome- the absolute love for this wonderful and exciting country!
    Avatar Kasia Czernik

    One danger posed byJakera? They make you fall in love with Cuba! :)

    Review by: Kasia Czernik , On: 09 Feb 2015, Changed On: 09 Feb 2015 | Yes, I would recommend this program
    My trip to Cuba with Jakera turned out to be a life changing experience! I went with high expectations and still ended up getting much more than I thought I would. Mostly I've made some great friends. We've had so much fun together that we've decided to organise a reunion trip to Cuba in the future. Thanks to our host family, particularly Amy, we all felt at home. She looked after us, gave us advice and always had great stories to tell about Cuba. We were never bored as everyday was filled with activities such as cultural excursions and day trips to the beach. The walking tours around Havana proved to be the best possible way of getting to know this fascinating city and turned out to be useful while exploring its even more exciting night life. We went out almost every night, danced like maniacs and even managed to challenge some Cubans on the dance floor! :) My favourite moments in Havana? Always the same! Getting in an old taxi and driving along the Malecon with reggaeton blasting in the background :) I would recommend the Jakera program to anyone who wants to travel to Cuba and is prepared for the outcome- the absolute love for this wonderful and exciting country!
    Overall rating 
    9.7
    Experience
    10
    Program Administration
    8
    Living Conditions
    10
    Cultural Immersion
    10
    Social Life
    10
    Health and Safety
    10

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