A weathered mural of Che Guevara adorns a wall in Varadero, Cuba. Images of Guevara are common in political murals across the island, serving as powerful symbols of the revolution. "Hasta la victoria siempre" (Until the eternal victory) and the incomplete phrase "El que intente apoderarse de Cuba" (He who tries to take over Cuba) are painted alongside his iconic image. Photo by Bob Gumbrecht
CMC offers unique opportunity to visit Cuba this November
Study abroad registration due dates quickly approaching for students, community members
Those interested in experiencing real life in one of Latin America’s most fascinating and often restricted destinations awaits, courtesy of a unique Colorado Mountain College study abroad program later this year – though registration due dates are just a few days away.
An 11-day, 10-night trip to Cuba from Nov. 21 to Dec. 1, 2025, “The Cuban Revolution in the 21st Century,” is part of a course titled Current Political Issues (PSC 1050). Dr. Bob Gumbrecht, a CMC Steamboat Springs political science and history professor, is organizing the trip.
The excursion is designed for both students and interested community members to experience the history, culture and the good and bad of ongoing political realities in Cuba, as part of a guided tour. Those completing the trip will receive transferable college credit for PSC 1050, though community members may forego tuition fees and audit the course.
“Travel to Cuba is sort of like stepping out of time,” Gumbrecht said. “The cars and other aspects of the ‘frozen in time’ pieces of Cuba are fascinating. Old Havana is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, with imperfectly preserved colonial architecture, so it’s a cool place to absorb the cultural legacy.”
Gumbrecht said the trip reflects previous CMC study abroad programs he’s led to Cuba, in addition to study abroad trips he’s made to other locales such as Guatemala, Nicaragua and Northern Ireland.
“I’ve always been particularly interested in human rights in post-conflict regions, and how reconciliation can take place in deeply divided communities,” Gumbrecht said.
This year’s trip, which will include visits to both Havana and the resort community of Varadero, will give participants the chance to meet and interact with a variety of Cuban people as well as time with diplomats at the U.S. Embassy. There will be trips to museums, the Afro-Aesthetic Experience, as well as visits with artists, schools and clinics, as well as an organic farm.
Gumbrecht said the CMC trip represents a rare opportunity for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba, with the necessary permits and arrangements with the Cuban government assisted by the Center for Global Education and Experience, a program run by Augsburg University, a small private Lutheran college in Minnesota. He said that the partnership helps with many of the considerable logistics of travel to what is normally a challenging experience for American visitors.
The trip’s fee is $3,000, which includes meals, lodging, international travel insurance and local transportation. Airfare, CMC tuition for those receiving credit and other fees such as immunizations or passport fees are not included. Scholarships and financial aid assistance for the travel program may be available through CMC and its study abroad financial resources webpage.
An information Zoom meeting about the Cuba experience is scheduled for 6 p.m., Aug. 28. The application deadline is Sept. 1 and course registration and payment is due on Sept. 5. Visit CMC Study Abroad Cuba 2025 for details or contact Bob Gumbrecht at 970-870-4484.