Arcadia Welcomes Cuban Professor

The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University welcomed Dr. Carlos Akira De La Puente as a visiting scholar from the University of Havana, Cuba to the Glenside, PA campus for the month of June. The visit forms part of the cooperative academic relationship in place between the two universities which helps strengthen and deepen the interactions between both institutions, including the provision of Arcadia's study abroad programs in Cuba.

The experience was very fruitful and positive for Professor De La Puente. He commented: "My social interactions with Americans and my experiences in the United States in general have enhanced my understanding of the US perspective of these changes that are going on with regard to our countries. I think it's important to translate this new view into the research that I'm doing.”

Professor De La Puente is a prominent and impressive young academic in Cuba and participates in numerous national and international conferences and academic events. He is a regular contributor to Cuban television debate program Messa Redonda (Round Table) and highly regarded in socio-political thought in Cuba. He also teaches the core course on the Arcadia study abroad program to Cuba, Cuban U.S. Relations: Past and Present. 

Throughout the course of Professor De La Puente's time teaching Arcadia students, he has noticed that the mentality that Americans bring with them to Cuba is not the one they leave with. “Their perspectives change throughout the semester as they have great dynamic conversations with local students through which to learn about the unique realities and multidimensional issues of Cuba. This opportunity to engage with locals and immerse themselves in the culture provides them with understanding that they would otherwise be incapable of having.”

While in the U.S., Professor De La Puente is also researching his book on the changing nature of U.S.-Cuban relations, which he examines from various aspects of international relations and cultural comparisons. The publishing date is 2016.