Capturing Cuba with Isabella Savage

Isabella Savage had never heard of anyone studying abroad in Cuba before. So when she discovered she was eligible to apply to the Tisch Postcards from Cuba program as an undergraduate at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study where she is concentrating in film and writing, she took a leap. She didn’t know anyone else who would be attending. What she didn’t expect was to find a community of like-minded creatives who shared her passion for writing and photography.

We caught up with Isabella to hear more about her experience in our Postcards from Cuba study abroad program this past January.

What was one of the highlights of your time in Cuba?

Isabella: My final project was inspired by an incredible Cuban singer named Alberto Faya. He came into our class one day and delivered a profound lecture on the history of all Cuban music. He repeated the phrase "music comes from below," explaining that the beauty of music in Cuba was born from times of shared struggle. I was so inspired by what he said that I decided to embark on a quest to learn as much as I could about Cuban music and share my findings with my classmates. With the help of the assistant teacher, Mario, I found a wonderful lady named Isabelle who let me borrow her classical guitar. Then, Mario took me to the homes of some of his friends and former students who were all musicians. They showed me how to play some songs on the guitar, like Malagueña and Chan Chan. I took all that I'd learned and heard and crafted it together into one big story, along with my photographs. I also wrote an artist's note, which I dedicated to Alberto. I didn't know he would come to the exhibit at the end of the program, and when he read what he wrote, he began to cry. "You've inspired an 80-year-old who has lived a lot of life," he told me. 

What did you learn about art and culture in Cuba?

Isabella: I learned that art and culture in Cuba are seamlessly integrated into everyday life. These things are intertwined with the country's history, politics, and resilience. Art is everywhere there, and it's what connects all whom it surrounds. Art in the form of murals, drum circles, graffiti, dance, and so much more sparkle in the streets of Havana. I noticed how creativity thrives in the face of limitations, as Cuban artists work with what they have. It became part of the art itself. This, coupled with the pervasive sense of community, made Cuba's art and culture stand out. I walked away with the feeling that Cuba is alive and that Cubans are connected through their art and the way they share it. 

How can you apply what you learned within this program to your professional development and creative skills?

Isabella: This program has fundamentally changed the way I think about storytelling. The privilege of exploring Cuban art and culture showed me how deeply stories can be rooted in place, history, and resilience. In my writing, I often focus on character and structure, but my experience in Cuba reminded me about crafting deliberate intention in my stories – emphasizing the ‘why’ just as much as the ‘how.’ The Cuban artists I met created with intention, often using limited resources to convey something urgent. Professionally, this experience reminded me of the power of community and collaboration in making art. I want to bring that same openness and adaptability into every creative process I'm part of.   

Why should other artists participate in this program?

Isabella: Other artists should participate in this program because it challenges you to slow down, especially coming from a place like New York City, where things are so fast-paced and interconnected. Traveling in Cuba is less minute-by-minute but more moment-by-moment. I learned to be thoughtful about the importance and impact of each unique experience I had in Cuba, whether it be hearing the stories of dancers at the world-famous Malpaso dance company, listening to the sweet sounds of a man playing the Tres on the steps of Vedado, learning how coffee is made in the hills of Las Terrazas, or getting to know the incredible artists in the program. Although the description of this course states that students will learn about the history of travel narratives, it is also true that we get to live one and shape our own voice in the process. Cuba's history, vibrant culture, and the poetry of its streets are a powerful backdrop, and one that helps students looking to deepen their practice and add emotional dimension to the stories they tell. 

Which neighborhoods did you visit in Cuba?

Isabella: We stayed in Vedado, a neighborhood in Havana. We took many trips to the center, Havana Vieja, and also visited Matanzas and Las Terrazas. 

What surprised you about Cuba as you documented your travels?

Isabella: I was surprised by the power of small moments in Cuba and how deeply personal and political each detail felt. A walk down a street was loaded with history, struggle, art, and hope. It made me understand more viscerally that documenting a place is not just about what you can see but also about understanding the stories beneath the surface. This changed how I want to approach storytelling forever.

What are the creative challenges artists face in Cuba? What can we learn from those challenges?

Isabella: Artists in Cuba face significant challenges like limited access to materials, technology, and platforms through which to share their work. Economic hardship and political restrictions can also impact these artists, forcing them to find unconventional ways to express themselves. From these challenges, we can learn the incredible power of resourcefulness and adaptability. Cuban artists emphasize that creativity is not about having everything, but rather about making something meaningful with what you have. The brilliant work of Cuban artists teaches us to embrace constraints as opportunities. Additionally, it highlights the finding of beauty in imperfection and the importance of pushing boundaries, even when obstacles seem impenetrable. 

What advice would you give to students aspiring to participate in this program?

Isabella: I would advise an aspiring student to document as much as possible in Cuba. Specifically, I would suggest they write, on paper, their raw thoughts and musings from each day. I would also recommend taking as many photographs as possible and having deep conversations with the people they meet there. Being in Cuba is a special privilege, and it is essential to document it in the most respectful and detailed manner possible. However, this program is not only about writing and photography, but it's also about immersing oneself in a complex and layered culture as a respectful outsider. Students should be ready to slow down, observe details, and embrace moments of uncertainty. Cuba will challenge your assumptions and push you outside of your comfort zone. This is what makes the experience so valuable.

Could you describe the inspiration behind some of the photos you captured in Cuba?

Isabella: I took most of these photographs in the spur of the moment. However, I wanted to capture the energy, particularly in the Vedado neighborhood where we stayed. It is a place with a strong sense of community and music emanating from every corner. I wanted to take photos that told a story on their own but could also tell one when strung together. There was something deeply cinematic about everyday life, which was highlighted even more by the fact that we didn't have our phones to distract us from all the powerful things in front of us. The black-and-white photos, for example, were taken in the back of a shared taxi. Calling a taxi in Cuba is not a planned thing, and it's not guaranteed that they will be available at any given time. However, each taxi experience is unique. In this particular instance, the small backseat was crammed with adults, children, animals, and musical instruments. It felt like far more life than the car seemed capable of holding. Amid the beautiful crescendo of chaos, my friends and I glanced out of the back window and were struck by how cinematic the streets looked. We thought they looked like scenes unfolding from an old film strip. Inspired, we captured a series of photos from that perspective and edited them together to create a film strip of our own. 

Interested in Postcards from Cuba? The application for January 2026 goes live on August 18!