• Submitted by: manso
• Politics and Government
• 02 / 02 / 2011

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February 02, 2011.President Barack Obama made traveling to Cuba a much easier experience for college students earlier this month.

The country was nearly isolated from all travel from the U.S. for the past seven years, but recent legislation has opened up the gates to the island nation. While restrictions haven’t been completely lifted, it has become easier for researchers and academics to travel, including Central Michigan University students.

“Study Abroad has always been important for students,” said Dianne DeSalvo, director of Study Abroad. “Exposure and education in other countries can be life changing. It‘s also a great thing to put on resumes in the future.”

Casual travel to Cuba remains impossible under the U.S. economic embargo, which has been in effect for nearly five decades.

Obama has placed students in a unique category of travelers and granted them some of the only passes into the country.

“Statistically, this could help bridge the large cultural gap that we have with Cuba,” said Orlando Perez, chairman and professor of political science. “I suspect (Obama) hopes to increase relations, both politically and economically, and this travel initiative is the first step.”

Cuba isn’t the only focus for the Obama Administration. Recently endorsed by both First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, the new initiative to increase student travel to China is already well under way.

“Traveling abroad can really change your world view,” said Jiafei Yin, professor of journalism and coordinator to the China Daily newspaper internship program. “Experiencing culture firsthand is a remarkable experience. It gives us a more global view, rather than focusing on only what happens here.”

The White House’s new goals includes doubling the number of students traveling to China by 2014, an increase of 13,000 to 26,000.

More than 400 schools across the nation have vowed to meet these new standards. CMU has yet to make any promises although the outlook is good, Perez said.

“It doesn’t sound like too big of a leap,” Perez said. “I don’t see a downside. The more the better.”

Passport Fair

CMU is hosting the annual passport fair Thursday. Those interested in attending should check in at the Mount Pleasant Room of the Bovee University Center between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The cost is $135 in check or money order.

Passport photography also will be available for an additional $12 charge. Information on the required documents is available online at http://travel.state.gov/passport or through the Isabella County County Clerk office at 772-0911, ext. 265.

Source: www.cm-life.com/2011/02/02/69461/