Cuba
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Accommodation near the University of Havana
It can be difficult to find the right accommodation while you take your Spanish course at the University of Havana. What is the best place to stay? What is the most economical accommodation near the University of Havana? I often get questions about accommodation recommendations in my post about studying Spanish at the University of Havana. So, to help you to find the perfect place to stay while studying Spanish in Havana, I have gathered some suggestions for accommodation while studying Spanish at the University of Havana. Remember to also check out the FAQ about studying Spanish at the University of Havana! The most popular place to stay in Havana…
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10 Popular Cuban Songs That Will Make You Travel to Cuba
Travel restrictions have stopped all our travel plans, but it has properly not stopped your eagerness to experience Cuba. So, instead of boarding a plane, turn on your speakers and make these 10 Cuban songs turn your home into your own little Cuba trip. Because you can’t say Cuba without also saying music! If you want to learn about the country, start with listening to their music. After all, traveling is about learning about new places, learning about new cultures and habits. While I generally don’t know much about music, after staying several months in Cuba years ago, I, thus, think I know a thing or two about Cuban music.…
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The Best Tips for Studying Spanish in Havana
Studying Spanish at the University of Havana has turned into one of my by far most popular posts here on Becci Abroad. I keep getting a lot of comments and private messages regarding how to study Spanish at the University of Havana. However, you guys out there seem to worry more or less about the same issues regarding studying Spanish in Havana. Therefore, I decided to gather some of the most frequently asked questions about studying Spanish in Havana. Remember that you can read the original post here. Please feel free to comment in the section below, if you still have some doubts. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Studying Spanish at the…
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How to Study Spanish at the University of Havana
With Cuba becoming such a popular travel destination why not combine your visit with improving your Spanish? The short-term Spanish courses at the University of Havana are a perfect choice for you to experience Cuba from within. I studied for more than four months at the University of Havana, and can truly approve of the classes and the teachers! Even though it is more than 4 years ago now, I still have contact with some of the other students and teachers. I have wanted to write this post for a long time to spread the word about this excellent opportunity to experience seeing a Cuba that most will not know about. Update: As of October…
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5 places That Will Make You Doubt You Are in Havana
When you think and hear about Cuba, what first comes into your mind is pictures of classic mid-century cars and colonial-styled colorful houses. Am I right? However, there is blowing a changing wind over Cuba, and as the capital, Havana is the front-runner for change. The neighborhood of Vedado seems to be a melting pot for the changes visible in Cuba. When I studied Spanish at the linguistic faculty at the University of Havana nearly three years ago, I spent a lot of time in Vedado, and now coming back last year, I could for sure see the changes. Here are just some of the new modernized initiatives blowing in…
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A Guide to More Authentic Ways of Exploring Havana
Havana is often compared to stepping inside a time bobble. The 50s cars on the streets, the old colonial houses, and people sitting in their doorway chatting to their neighbors. Life has another speed here. There are many things we don’t know about how life is in Cuba. And when visiting Havana for the first time (or maybe even the second), it can also be a bit difficult to figure out how to get an authentic experience of Cuban everyday life. With this guide, I want to try to give you some ideas on how to experience Havana in a more authentic way. Despite the fact that I can hardly call…
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How to Use a Local Taxi in Havana
Cuba’s properly most well-known and popular asset is the old mid-century colorful cars scrolling the streets throughout the island. A classic tourist activity in Havana is to rent one of those iconic cars, and go for a drive on the seaside drive, el Malecón. However, cars are not only for tourists. The old 50s cars are used all around the island like a local Cuban taxi or taxis colectivos, or las máquinas as the Cubans call them. And you can easily jump on for a ride too! In this post, I explain how to use las máquinas de la Habana. Ready? Let’s go for a drive! Basics about the local taxis in Havana The…
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Popular Spanish Slang Words in Cuba for Travellers to Know
Spanish in Cuba has a lot of unique local expressions and Cuban slang. When you visit Cuba for the first time, it can be hard to make any sense of the Spanish spoken. The Cubans speak fast, cut a lot of the endings of the ends, and use a lot of local slang in their Spanish. Familiarizing yourself with basic Spanish words and local slang words can help you better understand and appreciate Cuban culture. I have traveled to Cuba twice. The first time in 2014, when I stayed for almost five months studying Spanish at the University of Havana. I ended up in so many awkward situations because I…