While on the island, the students will have a chance to do a round-table discussion with members of the University of Havana. This includes all airfare, meals and incidentals. Torgerson is also looking at the possibilities of visiting Guatanamo Base, and a dinner with Ramon Castro, Fidel's older brother. The trip this year coincides with the Tenth Conference of Cuban and North American Philosophers. Students will be able to attend parts of the conference which will include non-technical discussions of human rights issues, racism, gender issues, Marxism and alternative views of democracy.
Students also have the opportunity to give a paper or serve on a panel.
People have already begun to sign up for the Cuban trip, including a few first-year students. Between the two trips, the philosophy professor is not sure which one he enjoys better. However, the wilderness course is great because students learn so much about themselves and what they are capable of doing. Torgerson also said that in the mountains, it's nice to see people in a setting where they are not distracted by work, television, bars-where the only things that matter are whether they will make it to the end of the day, what's for supper, and whether it will rain. Back to the top.