Academic and cultural experience in Cuba

Two Sports Science students are living an enriching experience at the University of Matanzas (Cuba) that strengthens their professional training.

PublishedOctober 4, 2024

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office of Communications

The Faculty of Sports Sciences and Physical Education has demonstrated its commitment to the comprehensive education of its students by participating in an Academic Mobility program that allows the exchange of knowledge and culture between institutions. This time, the University of Matanzas becomes the setting where the student ambassadors have the opportunity to experience a different educational model.

Juan Sebastián Torres Quijano, an eighth-semester student, discussed the impact of the Digital and Transmodern Educational Model (MEDIT). Despite similarities in pedagogical approaches, he noted that the scarcity of technological resources has presented a challenge in his academic development. “Teaching methods based on conversations and lectures have allowed for a more individualized education, adapting to our social and educational realities,” he explained.

Furthermore, Juan Sebastián mentions how the Cuban climate, significantly different from the Andean region of Colombia, has influenced his adaptation process. Classes are taught continuously, without interruptions, which has optimized his study time. But not everything is limited to academics; it has also been an immersion in Cuban culture, where he has learned about traditional rhythms such as reparto and casino, and has had the opportunity to socialize his own educational model, highlighting the milestones of sports science.

In his role as a researcher, Juan Sebastián participates in the “Nutrition, Fitness, and Sports” research group, where he is working on a project about hydration and body composition in Paralympic athletes. His goal is to present this study at an academic event in Cuba, thereby contributing to the scarce literature on disabilities in the region.

For his part, Iván David Reyes Rodríguez, a ninth-semester student, reflected on the cultural exchange and the contrasts he has observed. “The creativity and adaptability of Cubans are astonishing. Despite the economic and health difficulties, I have seen how they manage to create interesting living conditions,” he stated. He highlighted the solidarity and pragmatism that characterize Cubans, who are capable of finding solutions to everyday challenges.

Furthermore, he emphasized how enriching the process of adaptability and communication he has achieved in this diverse context has been for him. “Having been welcomed by Cuban students and professors has been fundamental; they have opened the doors of their university and provided us with spaces to develop both academically and personally,” Iván concluded, sharing a deep reflection on his experience. “Here I am experiencing that, truly, there are no incapable men or women, only a world of possibilities.”

This exchange highlights the importance of collaborative learning and cultural interaction in the training of well-rounded professionals, showing that geographical barriers can be broken down through shared knowledge and willpower. The student ambassadors from the University of Cundinamarca will return home in December with an enriched background of experiences and learnings that will mark a before and after in their academic and professional paths.

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