President Obama said earlier this month that he would lift many of the restrictions currently prohibiting many students from studying in Cuba.
The restrictions were established by the Bush administration in 2004. As a result, Michigan State University relocated programs based in Cuba to the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries.
Jeffery Riedinger is the Dean of International Programs at MSU. He says he looks forward to rebuilding the University’s programs in Cuba, but will need further guidelines from the Obama administration before moving forward.
He believes that more American students could have a positive impact on the region.
“One can hope that the resumption of student and faculty exchanges between the United States and Cuba will be part of a process of further politic al reform in that country.”
Special licenses were available for some Universities to establish study abroad programs in Cuba, including the University of Michigan.
-Bridget Bodnar, Michigan Radio Newsroom
