The Experience
Virtual Pre-Program Learning Sessions
The program begins with a series of pre-program virtual learning sessions and readings designed to equip participants with essential knowledge for their experience on the ground. These sessions aim to provide a basic understanding of Cuba, Cuban health systems, and other pertinent issues.
In Country Programming
This learning intensive includes visits to Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Trinidad & Santa Clara, Cuba - allowing participants to experience within country diversity while garnering a better understanding of Cuban systems, culture, and history. Each day will have a different theme, designed to help structure the experience and inspire critical thinking.
Cultural Exchange & Host Family Experience via Casas Particulares
Casas particulares are government approved accommodations that provide a comfortable and personalized alternative to traditional hotels, allowing guests to immerse themselves in authentic Cuban culture while supporting local entrepreneurs.
Education, Cultural, and Historical Site Visits
Participants will visit various communities, historical sites, and cultural venues. The itinerary includes tours, educational experiences at museums, universities, and cultural sites in Havana, Matanzas, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos, and Santa Clara. Participants will also attend higher education conference sessions.
Daily Processing and Debriefing Circles
Providing opportunities for collective reflection, these sessions will allow participants to explore their values, biases, and curiosities within the context of diverse health and cultural practices and international engagement. We anticipate these sessions will facilitate heightened awareness, new learnings, and deep reflection.
Post Program Reflection Session
Upon returning home, we will come together to process our experiences from the learning intensive. Through guided discussion and personal reflection, this session will offer a space for participants to deepen their understanding, gain insights, and develop a plan for application of their new knowledge after this transformative journey.
Meet Your Program Leads
Jasmine Abrams, PhD
As an international behavioral research scientist, Dr. Abrams conducts international research in collaboration with community-based and health service organizations and she is fiercely dedicated to sexual health promotion among women of African ancestry - with a focus on sexual and maternal health. She has secured numerous federal funding awards to support her work, including funding from NIMH, NIMHD, NHLBI, and Fogarty International Center.
Dr. Abrams has a passion for global health research and international exchange experiences. She has traveled to Cuba 5 times to organize and host a study abroad course focused on culture and health.
Dr. Abrams has also founded 4 companies, including the Thrive Institute for Professional Development. In her downtime, Dr. Abrams enjoys yoga, dancing salsa, painting, and loving on her family.
Idris Robinson, MPH
Idris Robinson is an experienced lecturer, Black health researcher, and social justice advocate. Through an unwavering commitment to health equity, Idris has an exceptional wealth of experience in global health, demonstrating profound advocacy for marginalized students and communities. His expertise spans adept public health programming, cross-cultural capacity building, and collaborative engagement at local, national, and global levels. Idris has significantly contributed to social and behavioral change projects in over 20 countries—throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and the Caribbean—emphasizing the importance of sacred and cultural spaces for health promotion interventions tailored to meet the diverse needs of people of African descent.
In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science from Virginia State University and an MPH from Drexel University, Idris's journey in academia and the professional sphere has been notably enriched through fellowships with the World Affairs Council, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements, and Population Health Equity. Currently advancing his commitment to health equity as a public health doctoral candidate, Idris’s approach to research and community engagement continues to be profoundly influenced by these enriching experiences.
Beyond his professional and academic endeavors, Idris is a proud husband, father, food enthusiast, and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Nkiru Nnawulezi, PhD
Dr. Nkiru Nnawulezi is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Affiliate Faculty at Yale School of Public Health. She earned her doctorate in Ecological-Community Psychology at the Michigan State University and has additional certifications in college teaching, community engagement, policy analysis, and quantitative research methods. Her research examines the ecological factors that enhance equity within and across the domestic violence housing continuum. She aims to improve the social and material conditions for survivors of gender-based violence who occupy multiply marginalized social identities. Dr. Nnawulezi also seeks to develop sustainable survivor-centered, community-based systems of support that can serve as alternatives to traditional social service systems.
Her work has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, Office of Family Prevention and Services, and Center for Victim Research. She is an award-winning researcher and mentor and has disseminated her scholarship to academic, policy, and community audiences. As an expert in community-based, participatory research and trained facilitator, Dr. Nnawulezi designs participatory research processes with community partners to find innovative solutions to complex social problems. She is also a Research and Evaluation Advisor to multiple systems change organizations such as the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community.
Dairo Enrique Moreno
Dairo Enrique Moreno is founder and President of Civitas Global Educational Services. He leads an agile team dedicated to building sustainable partnerships based on mutual understanding and respect. Mr. Moreno develops and promotes opportunities for sustainable institutional partnerships between US and Cuban organizations. In the last eight years, he has led over 50 university delegations seeking partnerships, developed over a dozen study abroad programs in Cuba, and facilitated multiple agreements between US and Cuban institutions.
Mr. Moreno’s experience includes program development, administration, conference planning, negotiation and interpretation of legal agreements, Dairo is co-founder of the Workshop of Strategic Alliances for the Internationalization of Higher Education, an annual workshop in Cienfuegos, Cuba (Cuba TIES) the only US-Cuba developed conference dedicated to challenges and best practices in internationalization and partnership in Cuba.
Prior to international education, Mr. Moreno earned his first 10,000 hours advocating for underrepresented and disenfranchised artists, music producers and songwriters. Mr. Moreno has a B.A. from Harvard University.
