After 50 years of virtually no American travel to Cuba, the beautiful island and its history were finally opened to tourism and to an opportunity for educational exchange. Many individuals and groups seized this opportunity, among them the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics (IOP). On June 12, 2016, the IOP began its first weeklong political exploration trip to Cuba.
Third-year public policy major Michelle Gan captured a glimpse of this experience through the lens of her camera. The trip featured embassy visits, conversations with economists, businesspeople, and journalists, and trips to museums of art, history, and culture. "My week in Cuba didn't make [me] the expert on Cuba," said Gan, but added that she appreciated that the experience allowed her to hear about the Cuban perspective on US-Cuban relations.
In addition to the educational aspect, the trip included opportunities for fun and leisure, like a trip to a jazz club that doubled as an art gallery. "It wasn't just ‘let's do learning.’ We also got to experience Cuba for Cuba,” Gan added. Experience the IOP’s Political Exploration trip to Cuba through Michelle’s photos and captions here.