Southwestern Michigan College will host an informational meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, for Niles-based Signal Travel and Tours’ “Cuba: Connecting People with Culture” trips.

Signal Travel owner Michele Boyd made the informal meeting at Mathews Conference Center West on SMC’s Dowagiac campus open to anyone interested in visiting Cuba from Jan. 11-17 or Jan. 25-31, 2018.

RSVP to Boyd by calling  (800) 365-4972 or e-mailing micheleb@signaltravel.com.

Boyd has served on the SMC Foundation board for 25 years, since 1992, which is makes it possible for the foundation’s major gifts initiative for the new nursing building to benefit.

Until 2012, few people were able to travel to Cuba, which Boyd toured in January.

People may meet face-to-face with local residents from different professions and connect with Cuba’s cultural heritage on a seven-day excursion based in Havana.

Around key themes of Cuban arts, history, architecture, entrepreneurism, agriculture and baseball, participants will meet Cuban students, teachers, architects, artisans, dancers, musicians, coaches and ballplayers.

People may learn about Ernest Hemingway’s Cuba, discuss art and private enterprise at the studios of community artists and visit with agricultural workers about agrarian reform and organic farming.

People may also interact with members of community and charitable organizations about their work, and enjoy meals at paladares — small, privately-operated Cuban restaurants.