For over 50 years, Cuba has been off limits to Americans. That is changing, and some programs are exposing Cuba to high schoolers who are curious about the country’s history and who would like to make a difference. Some high school programs in Cuba are open to more nationalities than others. Sign up early for your program, as spots get sold out quickly! Most trips run during the summer between June and August.

Since Cuba is a relatively small country,programs will use the limited time span and offer different adventure travel opportunities. Go swimming in the ocean or under the Cortinas waterfall, and be whisked away to pristine Caribbean islands. Hikers will have a chance to explore Cuba’s untouched mountain ranges. If hiking isn’t for you, then hop on a horse and go riding through the nature preserves.

See what it’s like to live and work in Cuba while helping the locals through community service and volunteerism projects. Learn about Cuba’s environment from conservationists, and help grow vegetables in a community garden that will feed children’s day care centers. You will contribute to economic development while learning what it’s like to live on the day-to-day in Cuba. Take a trip to one of the many UNESCO world heritage sites, like the Las Terrazas community, a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve. Explore nature and learn how the local farmers are preserving the land. If you are into wildlife conservation, you can’t leave without visiting the Cienega de Zapata reserve. It’s home to the Cuban crocodile!

In addition to volunteering, look into design thinking programs, in which you will use what you learn from locals to design your own solutions to real-world development problems. You will leave this country with a refreshed perspective on environmental conservation and community projects.

Most high school programs in Cuba last about one to two weeks, and do not require much prior experience. You may be asked to provide a recommendation letter, so be aware of that requirement. You will gain valuable community service hours that you can add to your resume!