[van-announce] Cuba programs for students and educators

[Cuba Education Tours]

Dear Educators and Amigos de Cuba,

Greetings from Cuba Education Tours. We've just launched several Cuba education programs and want to share them with you.

Our people-to-people Cuba tours will excite students, inspire the support of parents, and provide teachers with unique and safe study abroad options. We also have two programs exclusively for educators.

A Special Teacher and Student Spring Break Cuba Tour:

Our Cuba Terry Fox Run and Culture Tour takes place from March 15-24, 2007.  Students and teachers are invited to participate in this ten-day trip featuring cooperation, Cuban culture and the international effort to cure cancer. You and your students will witness western Cuba, learn about its music, sports and culture, and make new friends on the island. We appeal to you to introduce this great opportunity to your students and colleagues. Teachers who recruit four or more students will travel at a reduced rate.

New Programs for High School and Post-Secondary Students:

Together with esteemed Cuban and Canadian educators, we have developed three essential programs for high school and post secondary students. They are:

* Arts and Culture Cuba Tour
* Music and Dance Cuba Tour
* Nature and Volunteerism Cuba Tour

Each program represents a refinement of the most popular Cuba themes and island activities based on feedback from some of the thousands of students we've sent to the island since the year 2000. Detailed itineraries, tour organization tools, and costs are available at http://www.HelloCuba.ca

There is still time to launch a tour for your students in 2007. We encourage you to review these programs, and share them with your students and colleagues. We are here to help at every stage. Each program is available in eight, ten and fifteen day versions. Ten and fifteen day options each have volunteerism components where Canadian students are able to work side by side with Cuban students.

Teacher Familiarization Cuba Tour:

We extend a special invitation to our fellow teachers to join us in Havana from March 18-25, 2007 for an introduction to Cuba for teachers. The purpose of this program is for North American educators to learn about the island education system directly from their Cuban counterparts, at the same time exploring the social and cultural institutions and organizations that make Cuba exceptional. The good news is that educators from the United States can qualify to participate legally and are warmly invited to join. Our focused tours allow our participants to see far more than they would on their own.

ESL Cuba Volunteers:

One of the most rewarding programs we've organized over the years is for retired educators who seek to continue their lifelong profession as mentors to young people on a volunteer basis. Our ESL Cuba Volunteer program takes place twice a year in February and November during which time these most generous volunteers explore western Cuba for one week and donate two weeks time teaching Cuban youth to speak English. The program is also open to working teachers and ESL specialists who are able to travel during these dates. Find out more about this program at www.CubaVolunteer.com

Cuba Education Tours programs are recognized by the British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF). Educator references are available upon request. We believe the social and cultural initiatives of the Cuban people offer an unequalled experience for life, learning and a fresh optimistic take on a turbulent world. We welcome you aboard in 2007 and wish you happy holidays in the meantime.

With warm collegial regards,
Marcel Hatch
Education Coordinator
Cuba Education Tours
708 - 207 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7 Canada

877-687-3817 Toll free in Canada and the United States
604-874-9048 Outside North America
604-874-9041 Facsimile

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www.hellocuba.ca  Web

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