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Havana professor hails new era between Cuba and United States

Dr. Mario Masvidal is like a Cuban pioneer in Galesburg, Illinois. Relaxing restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba finally allow him to explore. That’s wh...

Dr. Mario Masvidal is like a Cuban pioneer in Galesburg, Illinois.

Relaxing restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba finally allow him to explore.

That's why he's participating in an exchange at Carl Sandburg College.

"This type of opening, a restarting, reestablishing relationships, is a huge step," he said.

This Galesburg-Cuba connection is coming full circle in just a few months.

Back in February, College President Lori Sundberg visited Cuba.

That's where she heard Dr. Masvidal for the first time and encouraged the exchange.

"I wanted people to be able to hear about Cuba," she said.  "Hear what it's really like.  It's very different from what we think."

The visiting professor is trying to break down stereotypes during sessions with American students.

Cuba is neither a paradise nor hell, but it is a place where time stands still due to slow moving government and the longtime U.S. trade embargo.

"We hope for the best," he said.  "This exchange will let us breathe."

Dr. Masvidal will also be making stops at Blackhawk College on Thursday.

Dr. Sundberg hopes it will lead to study abroad programs in Cuba for students, teachers and administrators.

"It's just really an exciting time," Dr. Sundberg said.  "The relations between the countries are opening up.  At the same time, the academic exchanges are really, really important."

So important that it's starting to slowly thaw tension between the countries.

"The former foes are saying, okay, why not talk?" Dr. Masvidal concluded.  "Let us talk and exchange."

It's an exchange starting with education in Galesburg.

 

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