Alexandra Blanco ’24 (BFA, Drama) longed to go back to Cuba. That’s where her family is from. She had visited once before and got to see where her relatives lived but since then, she couldn’t wait to go back.
An opportunity to return presented itself in 2023. Alexandra was accepted to Postcards from Cuba while an undergraduate student at Tisch. Students in the program are exposed to Cuban life and culture, documenting their journey through the interaction of word and image with travel writing and photography. The time in Postcards from Cuba was really inspiring for Alexandra. She said, “Being able to live and study there for three weeks was the best experience I could’ve asked for. I got to practice having confidence in my Spanish, and learn more about my own culture by simply living it directly alongside people who felt like they could’ve been just another member of my family.”
Tisch Special Programs caught up with Alexandra for more about her time in Postcards from Cuba. Though when Alexandra participated it was a short-term program, Postcards from Cuba is being offered as a semester-long program in 2026. Whether it's three weeks or three months, the experience in Cuba leaves a lasting impression.
Cuba
Which neighborhoods did you visit during the Postcards from Cuba program and how did those experiences expose you to the local arts and culture?
Alexandra Blanco: Primarily our home neighborhood of Vedado seemed to be full of local art and culture. The convenient, around the corner location of our house to the Ludwig Foundation allowed us to attend several art exhibition events held there that gave us the opportunity to connect with local artists and talk about our work with them. I will also never forget the dance studio rehearsal we were allowed to sit in on, also within walking distance of our house; I was awestruck by the talent and precision of the dancers, and it reminded me how much I’ve always loved watching ballet. Additionally, our field trip to the town of Veradero to see the art galleries and shops along the water there was equally exciting, and provided fun insight into the visual art scene in Cuba.
Describe a favorite moment from the program.
Alexandra Blanco: It’s so hard to pick one favorite moment; the entire three weeks there were some of the most fun weeks of my whole life up to this point, and I think about them all the time. I think one of the most fun nights we had was at the reopening of La Fábrica, which was a combination art gallery/museum, and dance club. There were different genres of music in every room, and so many exciting things to see and people to meet, and I had such an amazing time dancing the night away with my friends in the program and experiencing the exuberant energy of Havana’s nightlife. Another very memorable moment was when I attended a small gathering with my friends hosted at the house of one of our teaching assistants, and I met an older gentleman there who, as it turns out, had been a featured composer on many of the songs I grew up listening to, which was very, very cool.
What is your main takeaway from the program? What did you learn?
Alexandra Blanco: I learned that there are so many different ways to make art, and it can be made and found in truly any kind of environment; surrounding circumstances can never fully stifle the inherent human need for freedom of expression and the natural instinct to create.
Why do you think an arts student should study abroad?
Alexandra Blanco: I think it is extremely important for artists to simply experience worlds that are entirely outside of the bounds of what they know, in order to further their understanding of the human condition, which will, in turn, allow them to diversify their creativity and imagine more kinds of people they want to be able to reach with their art.
Postcards from Cuba is being offered as a full-time program in spring 2026 and includes these required courses: Postcards from Cuba, Art and Culture of Cuba, The Cuban Image: 1959-Present, and Introductory Spanish. The program does not have any pre-requisites and is open to all undergraduate NYU students and visiting undergraduate students. Please review full Postcards from Cuba program and course information. The application deadline is August 15. Review application requirements and apply.