So because of this receptive nature of the country, we have brought you this article on Studying in Cuba, its top universities, the cost of living, and visa applications. Cuba is a former Spanish colony located in the Caribbean at the nexus of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The Caribbean is known for its collection of Islands. Cuba has the distinction of being the largest island in that part of the world. The history of Cuba, the culture and music, and the many medieval castles make the country a top draw for tourists. For international students, the fact the country has excellent educational and health systems are reasons to study in Cuba. This island state has a population of about 12 million people. The largest city and capital are Havana with a population of about 2 million. As a communist country, Cuba offers unique challenges for students coming from other political systems. Therefore, it is advisable for students to come to Cuba not to rush to judgment about Cuban culture, lifestyle, and religion. These are some reasons why you should study in Cuba. Read more about the cost of living and top universities while studying in Cuba.
Cost of living in Cuba
Though the Cuban currency is the Peso, US dollars are widely accepted for transactions within the country. This makes foreign exchange transactional problems almost non-existent. The cost of living is very modest. For instance, one can eat a decent meal in an inexpensive restaurant for about $5; purchase a monthly pass for transport around the city of Havana for just $1. For fans of coffee, $1 is all that is needed to purchase a cup of cappuccino. Again, international students can also benefit from excellent health care which is free for everybody in Cuba. Other items that might affect a student’s living cost include
Rent outside the city center-$115/month for a 1 bedroom apartmentUtilities–$4.49/monthInternet–$155/monthMilk (1liter)–$2.21Eggs (dozen)–$1.51Beef (1kg)–$7.32Tomato (1kg)–$1.58
As in most cases, these prices can differ from one location to the next. And the overall living expenses can differ for individuals depending on their lifestyle. However, students living in school halls should expect to pay less per month.
Top Five Universities in Cuba
There are over 60 government-owned universities in Cuba. Tertiary education in Cuba, like in most countries, has programs leading to degrees in the bachelor’s, masters and doctorate levels. A bachelor’s degree is normally 4 years while courses in medicine can take up to 6 years.
Universidad de LA Habana
This is the biggest and oldest university in the entire country located in the capital of Havana. Originally a religious Institute, it now has 16 faculties offering programs in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The university has a vast student population of about 60,000.
Universidad de Oriente Santiago de Cuba
This is the second-ranked University in the country and is in the seaport city of Santiago de Cuba. The university has 11 faculties offering several programs in science, humanities, social science, and agriculture.
Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas
This University has two campuses: one is located in the city of Santa Clara while the other is located upcountry in Topes de Collantes. A journalism college was recently added to the 13 faculties in the university. Programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students are offered in fields such as humanities, law, and the sciences.
Ciudad Universitaria Jose Antonio Echeverria
This University is the top technical college in the country. It is located in the capital Havana with 7 faculties offering undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees in many fields of technical studies. In the whole of Latin America, it is ranked among the top 250 universities.
Universidad de Cienfuegos Carlos Rafael Rodriguez
Located in the beautiful city of Cienfuegos, the University was founded in 1970 and has four faculties in Agricultural science, Social sciences, Engineering, and Economic and Enterprise Science.
Tuition
There is no fixed tuition for the various universities even though they are all public universities. Depending on the university and course of study, tuition can range from $20,000 to $40,000. These fees though cover the total amount to be paid for the duration of the chosen course, not just per session. You receive more information on tuition from the University of choice.
Visa
Students wishing to study abroad in Cuba would need a student visa. Visa requirements can be obtained from the Cuban embassy in your country. However, the university you would attend can also help in Visa procurement. Talk with the right school official to help with getting a visa to expedite the process in your home country. The initial student visa should be valid for at least six months. About three months before going to Cuba to start your studies, the consulate would require you to submit the following.
Your chosen universityYour full name and addressPassport number with an expiration datePlace of birth and dateParents’ nameHow long you plan to stay in CubaDate of arrival
Language Requirements
Since the country is a Spanish-speaking country, students must be fluent in the language. While students who cannot speak the language will need to enroll in a 1-year intensive course in Spanish.
CONCLUSION
As we all know that Cuba has excellent educational and health systems. So enrolling in any of the schools in Cuba will help you in your educational life and will be of great advantage to you.
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