Cuba Costs

A Mandatory Instructional Support Fee (MISF) will be charged in addition to regular University of Alberta tuition. The estimated MIS fee is $1,950 ‐ $2,500.

The Cuba MIS fee deposit will be refunded to students if the University is unable to offer the program.

The MIS fee includes:

  • Student visa for Cuba
  • All program-related ground transportation for field trips and group excursions related to the academic program
  • Housing and non-academic support

This fee also supports the project coordinator and assistant responsible for ongoing support and facilitation for the duration of the program.

The MIS fee does not include:

  • University of Alberta tuition
  • Canadian Passport
  • Photos for Cuban student identification
  • Round-trip airfare to Cuba and ground transportation to/from airports (however, the program will ensure arrangements for ground transportation are booked in advance in coordination with the student)
  • Food and accommodation for the duration of the program (minimum budget $15 ‐ $25 per day)
  • Travel immunizations as recommended by the public health nurse
  • Travel Health Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance
  • Phone and internet access while in Cuba.

Passports and Visas

Each student participating in the program must have a passport that will remain valid six months after the completion of the program. Visas are processed in-country.

Banking

It is not advisable to carry large amounts of cash in Cuba. The most convenient and inexpensive way of obtaining cash in Cuba is through a cash advance on a Canadian credit card, Visa or MasterCard. It is advisable to arrange with your Canadian bank to have your credit card paid in full each month. It is also advisable to have two credit cards — the electronic strips on credit cards sometimes malfunction.

Funding

Students from the University of Alberta who are participating in the Santiago de Cuba program may be eligible to receive a Study Abroad grant of $2,150. Students receiving the award will need to have a minimum 2.7 GPA over the last two academic terms in order to be considered eligible.