First in a series of articles covering student reflections
Fifteen LA students and three chaperones returned from their Global Experiences trip to Cuba with a greater appreciation and understanding of the world. The impact of this Spring Break adventure may not be fully realized for weeks to come as members of the group continue to digest everything they witnessed and experienced. Aside from weather related travel delays that led to more than the usual jet lag on both ends of the trip, the students and chaperones enjoyed the experience and returned home safely with a lifetime of memories.
“One of the most memorable parts of the trip for me was truly being able to interact with the people of Cuba,” CJ Strauss ’26 said. “We talked to lots of people when we were in the markets, restaurants, or walking in the streets, and each person was over the top welcoming and extremely kind to us. It's something I'm never going to forget.”
CJ also loved cooking traditional Cuban food in a restaurant after visiting the sustainable garden from which they receive their produce. The garden was made of fully recyclable materials and LA students had the opportunity to speak with the owner, who was very entertaining and interesting.
The trip began in Havana with a tour of Old Havana with focus on colonial history and architecture. Meals included lunch at one of the oldest Paladars with the best ropa vieja in Cuba and dinner at Paladar San Cristobal, where President Barack Obama has dined. The next day featured an historic tour of Cienfuegos with a focus on French settlement and French architecture before an evening arrival in Trinidad, which is UNESCO listed for best preserved colonial architecture and arts and crafts.
Highlights in Trinidad included a morning visit to a black coral reef and exploration of the preservation of the ocean in Cuba, an afternoon historic tour of Trinidad with a discussion of the Cuban sugar industry, slaves and sugar plantation, an evening dinner and Afro-Cuban Orisha dancing. The group headed back to Havana for a community service project with children on the following day.
“The most memorable moments of the trip were gaining insights into local life: negotiating with vendors, buying street-made bead bracelets, and playing soccer with kids in the rain,” Justin Lustgarten ’26 said. “Witnessing the many struggles in their lives illuminated our privileges in a way nothing else could.”
A busy day in Las Terrazas began with experiencing a biosphere reservation and a unique, idyllic community of artists, foresters and coffee growers at Fusterlandia with a discussion of how the private initiative of one artist changed the fate of this neighborhood. Later in the day, students enjoyed a canopy tour with zip lining and a rainforest hike, a jam session with Amygo band, a discussion on Cuban music and art projects for jazz and music bands and art students. The group enjoyed a final evening dinner in Miramar Villa with Daniel Montero, director of the movie the Little League Dreams, a documentary about Cuban baseball players.
Students attending the trip included Al-Hammed Bell ’25, Ancel De Jesus ’25, Giselle Rodriguez ’25, Sevastian Castillo ’26, Arya Gaur ’26, Christian Lee ’26, Justin Lustgarten ’26, Ethan Pierre ’26, Giannalise Rodriguez ’26, CJ Strauss ’26, Helen Tang ’26, Richard Zhang ’26, Anya Gupta '27, Jayda Richter ’27 and Kartina Chen ’27. Chaperones Andrew Sullivan (Director of Global Experiences, US art teacher), Cristian Fernandez (US English teacher) and Tamica Van Dunk (MS Spanish teacher) served as the trip chaperones.
Interacting with the Cuban people and experiencing their culture left a lasting impression on the LA students.
“The most valuable lesson I learned was the varied interpretations of a "good life," exemplified by the Cuban people, who, despite economic limitations, often have stronger community bonds and find fulfillment in different ways,” Justin said.
“One of the most impactful things I took away was how lucky we are to live the privileged lives we have,” CJ said. “Overall, the trip to Cuba is something that is going to have an impact on me for my whole life.”