ONEONTA, N.Y. - SUNY Oneonta faculty, staff, and students participated in the Cuba TIES Strategic Alliances for the Internationalization of Higher Education conference from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1. During the international event, the team explored new ways to work together across educational disciplines and countries.

The trip marks the first time a SUNY Oneonta group has participated in the conference, joining others from U.S. institutions, including SUNY Cortland, Cal State LA, and Laman College in the Bronx, along with faculty from Spain, Cuba, and South Africa. 

Oneonta's delegation included Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise Science Katherine Griffes and Men's Soccer and Men's and Women's Tennis Assistant Coach Timothy Sagasti, along with alum Albert Vargas ('25), Emily McDougall, an Exercise Science major ('27), Wyatt Martin (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs), a Biology major ('27) and Jaiden Schrag (New Berlin, NY/Unadilla Valley Central), an Exercise Science major ('28). Schrag is a member of the Oneonta track & field team, while Martin is part of the men's lacrosse team.

The students presented their projects from the past academic year. The primary focus was to highlight the importance of older adults in rural areas and their exercise habits.

"Jaiden and Wyatt joined a pair of students who started a line of research through an SRCA grant last year, and helped them expand the scope of the project," said Dr. Griffes. "Last year, we conducted surveys on older adults in the community to understand better the needs, barriers, and motives of older adults in rural areas. Jaiden and Wyatt focused on next steps in the research, specifically developing practical strategies for changes that can be made in our community, specifically at two sites, for how we can increase physical activity opportunities and access."

The students and staff had to adjust their presentation style because they were in a country where English is not the first language. Additionally, there were weather concerns, power outages, and multiple schedule changes. Luckily, there was a lot of help along the way.

 

"Presenting at an international conference was challenging due to the language barrier - we relied heavily on SOHLI to assist with presentation translations so we would be sure our Cuban audience easily understood our presentations," said Griffes. "During the trip, we had to be really flexible with the plans, as we dealt with changes in schedule, power outages, and heavily relied on others for transportation and translation services. These difficulties really added to the sense of immersion in Cuban culture."

Outside of presenting, the group had the opportunity to experience the local culture. The community welcomed the Oneonta staff and students, shared their customs, and opened their homes. The Red Dragons explored art galleries and spoke to the artists about their works. They also met with some of Cuba's Hall of Fame athletes, and even played a softball game.

"My favorite part of the trip was going to the Children's Music Academy in Matanzas," said Martin. "The kids put on a performance for us, which was amazing. It reminded me of being a kid and doing the same thing but much worse. Getting to see the passing of their musical culture to the younger generation was a very cool experience. The whole experience felt so familiar yet so different that it really helped provide perspective on my time in Cuba."

Everyone was so inviting and friendly, despite everyone wearing our presentation and business attire," said Sagasti. "The game to me was a microcosm of the country as a whole. There was such a sense of community, culminating in a shared Cuban Caldoza- a large one-pot stew in which everyone from the community brings a homegrown ingredient." 

The trip and research were supported by multiple funding sources, including the Student Grant Program for Research and Creative Activity, the Student Travel for Excellence (STEP) Academic Fund, the SUNY Oneonta Athletics Department, and the Caroline '67 and David D'Antonio Student Travel for Excellence Fund.

"Traveling closely with cohorts from other US schools as well as professors from other Cuban universities also offered time to really get to know perspectives and values from people with incredibly diverse backgrounds," finished Sagasti. "This type of exposure is mutually beneficial and should continue to be encouraged."