GOD BLESS MY MATES IN CUBA...

[wyq614]

After I left Cuba (my campus in COJIMAR), the "Energy-saving" program started to carry out, and then the air-conditioning system is shut and the electric supply became more and more instable. Cuba is experiencing the hottest summer in 30 years and the "Chinese Cuban Students" are suffering from the CALOR SOFOCANTE that they haven't got used to...

the 4th floor, where live the female students, receives no water supply, because the MOTOR (maybe PUMP?) is broken, and MOTOR is expensive and the school cannot afford to get a new one...

In the campus of SAN ANTONIO DE LOS BAÑOS, Havana province, the water supply is not instable, and recently disappeared. Bathing becomes a dream for the Chinese students there. The toilet has not cleaned for weeks due to the absence of water, stinky smell spread all over the aisle so no one dares to open the door or window even in the hottest day.

The ESTIPENDIO (salary) which according to the contract, the Cubans need to pay them, has been cut to zero for more than a year. And they see no desire of the Cubans to solve all the problems mentioned above.

We don't know if things should be like that during studying abroad in Cuba, or any developing country, we doubt if it is our own fault not having learned to suffer and tolerate studying in the beautiful caribbean islands.

But anyway, the authority just isn't interested in solving any problems.

I, as their predecessor that have returned from Cuba to China, cannot do anything but make a wish that... May God bless my mates in Cuba.

[Dionne]

After I left Cuba (my campus in COJIMAR), the "Energy-saving" program started to carry out, and then the air-conditioning system is shut and the electric supply became more and more instable. Cuba is experiencing the hottest summer in 30 years and the "Chinese Cuban Students" are suffering from the CALOR SOFOCANTE that they haven't got used to...

the 4th floor, where live the female students, receives no water supply, because the MOTOR (maybe PUMP?) is broken, and MOTOR is expensive and the school cannot afford to get a new one...

In the campus of SAN ANTONIO DE LOS BAÑOS, Havana province, the water supply is not instable, and recently disappeared. Bathing becomes a dream for the Chinese students there. The toilet has not cleaned for weeks due to the absence of water, stinky smell spread all over the aisle so no one dares to open the door or window even in the hottest day.

The ESTIPENDIO (salary) which according to the contract, the Cubans need to pay them, has been cut to zero for more than a year. And they see no desire of the Cubans to solve all the problems mentioned above.

We don't know if things should be like that during studying abroad in Cuba, or any developing country, we doubt if it is our own fault not having learned to suffer and tolerate studying in the beautiful caribbean islands.

But anyway, the authority just isn't interested in solving any problems.

I, as their predecessor that have returned from Cuba to China, cannot do anything but make a wish that... May God bless my mates in Cuba.

San Antonio de Los Banos appears to be an education center. The population is 46,300. There are 39 schools. The population density is 944.3/sq mi. The aqueduct (water supply) is old.....by some accounts 100 years.

Our daughter traveled to Russia as an exchange student. While she did not endure stifling heat of the day, she did comment that sanitation was at a bare minimum.

It may be a common problem for students that choose such an adventure.

It kind of reminds me of Ft Polk in 1970.

[x-y-no]

I'm sorry to see that they're having to suffer like that. Living in a crowded environment without working plumbing is unpleasant to say the least.

I think we'll be getting an early fall though, so hopefully the heat problem abates soon.

[HURAKAN]

I lived for many years very close to San Antonio de los Baños.



I was born in Guanajay, 12 miles from San Antonio de los Baños

[wyq614]

There are more than 2,000 Chinese student studying in Cuba, more than 1,000 in TARARA, 300 or so in COJIMAR, the rest study in SAN ANTONIO and JAGUEY GRANDE, MATANZAS. Once a Cuban teacher said to me that the Chinese students always had a reason to complain. The HABANEROS complain about their living conditions and the MATANCEROS complain about their food. We know that it is not good to complain, but the problem is that we can't change anything and have to suffer.

Moreover, China always offers the best living condition for the foreign students, and is ready to cover almost all their requirements. But the other countries like Cuba no seem so generous to their foreign students.

[Stephanie]

There are more than 2,000 Chinese student studying in Cuba, more than 1,000 in TARARA, 300 or so in COJIMAR, the rest study in SAN ANTONIO and JAGUEY GRANDE, MATANZAS. Once a Cuban teacher said to me that the Chinese students always had a reason to complain. The HABANEROS complain about their living conditions and the MATANCEROS complain about their food. We know that it is not good to complain, but the problem is that we can't change anything and have to suffer.

Moreover, China always offers the best living condition for the foreign students, and is ready to cover almost all their requirements. But the other countries like Cuba no seem so generous to their foreign students.

I think that there's a lot to be said for researching the country that you choose to study in and the potential problems. Let this be a lesson to other students that may want to travel to Cuba in the future. If the locals are complaining about the living conditions and food, that may be a clue for people on the outside.

[vbhoutex]

There are more than 2,000 Chinese student studying in Cuba, more than 1,000 in TARARA, 300 or so in COJIMAR, the rest study in SAN ANTONIO and JAGUEY GRANDE, MATANZAS. Once a Cuban teacher said to me that the Chinese students always had a reason to complain. The HABANEROS complain about their living conditions and the MATANCEROS complain about their food. We know that it is not good to complain, but the problem is that we can't change anything and have to suffer.

Moreover, China always offers the best living condition for the foreign students, and is ready to cover almost all their requirements. But the other countries like Cuba no seem so generous to their foreign students.

I think that there's a lot to be said for researching the country that you choose to study in and the potential problems. Let this be a lesson to other students that may want to travel to Cuba in the future. If the locals are complaining about the living conditions and food, that may be a clue for people on the outside.

wyq614, was it a choice for you to go to Cuba and study? Is it a choice of all the 2,000 that are there or are they required to go as part of their "education".

[Ptarmigan]

There are more than 2,000 Chinese student studying in Cuba, more than 1,000 in TARARA, 300 or so in COJIMAR, the rest study in SAN ANTONIO and JAGUEY GRANDE, MATANZAS. Once a Cuban teacher said to me that the Chinese students always had a reason to complain. The HABANEROS complain about their living conditions and the MATANCEROS complain about their food. We know that it is not good to complain, but the problem is that we can't change anything and have to suffer.

Moreover, China always offers the best living condition for the foreign students, and is ready to cover almost all their requirements. But the other countries like Cuba no seem so generous to their foreign students.

I don't blame the students there. I would expect that students would be given better conditions anywhere in the world.

[HURAKAN]

As you can see, if that's the treatment to foreigners that have been invited to the island, what can you expect for the people in Cuba

[Stephanie]

There are more than 2,000 Chinese student studying in Cuba, more than 1,000 in TARARA, 300 or so in COJIMAR, the rest study in SAN ANTONIO and JAGUEY GRANDE, MATANZAS. Once a Cuban teacher said to me that the Chinese students always had a reason to complain. The HABANEROS complain about their living conditions and the MATANCEROS complain about their food. We know that it is not good to complain, but the problem is that we can't change anything and have to suffer.

Moreover, China always offers the best living condition for the foreign students, and is ready to cover almost all their requirements. But the other countries like Cuba no seem so generous to their foreign students.

I don't blame the students there. I would expect that students would be given better conditions anywhere in the world.

I agree, but I think that some research needs to be done before they choose where to study or as David pointed out, if they didn't have a choice then they needed to know of the risks. It's unfortunate but then again, they are learning about the culture and the real Cuba.

[wyq614]

Well during my study in Cuba never occurred so many problems, and I think... It is not reasonable that we require something like luxury decoration in our rooms or personal toilet but something such as water supply and electricity are basic supplies that need to be secured.

[Stephanie]

Well during my study in Cuba never occurred so many problems, and I think... It is not reasonable that we require something like luxury decoration in our rooms or personal toilet but something such as water supply and electricity are basic supplies that need to be secured.

It sounds like you were fortunate. It is a shame for the other students. I agree that basic necessities should be first priority and shouldn't even be something that needs a second thought. Perhaps the Chinese government may not allow its students to travel to Cuba after this, which will be Cuba's loss.

[wyq614]

Well during my study in Cuba never occurred so many problems, and I think... It is not reasonable that we require something like luxury decoration in our rooms or personal toilet but something such as water supply and electricity are basic supplies that need to be secured.

It sounds like you were fortunate. It is a shame for the other students. I agree that basic necessities should be first priority and shouldn't even be something that needs a second thought. Perhaps the Chinese government may not allow its students to travel to Cuba after this, which will be Cuba's loss.

Well, the Chinese diplomats (representing Chinese govt) tend to blame us and stand beside the foreign counterparts when we have some problem. For example, last year some Chinese students studying in Russia were attacked by New-Nazists there and was severely injured, our diplomats, sitting beside the bed of the injured, commented: "Remember, never put attractive or luxurious clothes on." Nevertheless, finally none of the attackers were punished.

So, generally, we don't turn to the embassy when we have problems like this, we just don't trust them and dislike them.

[Stephanie]

That's ashame wyq614.