This August, Catherine Conley, a long-time resident of Chicago, IL, embarked upon a life changing journey to Havana, Cuba where she will become the first American ballerina to practice in the country’s National Ballet School.

“I feel incredibly honored to be the first American to come here [to train] and symbolize the two countries coming together,” said Conley to CNN, concerning her newfound involvement with the re-opening of Cuba’s doors to the rest of the world. “A few years ago — even last year — this wouldn’t have been possible.”

She trains on a rigorous schedule, dancing virtually every day to finesse her skills. Conley has put her admission to the University of Michigan on hold in order to pursue her dream of dance and to help reinvent a country with modern standards. Prior to this year, she spent her whole life dancing at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago. It was here that she caught the attention of the director of the Cuban National Ballet School while dancing in one of her annual shows.

Thus far, Conley has immensely enjoyed her stay in Cuba and looks forward to the months to come. “[The people at the school] have been so open and welcoming,” she said to CNN. “I think that’s reflective of where the two countries are looking to go.” She is not only excited to benefit the Cuban National Ballet School with her talents, but to also aid in the merging of cultures between the Caribbean island and the United States.