President Obama's visit to Cuba this week marks the first time a U.S. president has been on Cuban soil since 1928.
The visit marks another milestone for the two countries since relations started to improve in 2014.
For Yaissel Andreu, a Bakersfield resident who moved from Cuba nearly a decade ago, the increase in accessibility to the island has been great.
Andreu's father and grandparents still live in Cuba and now it is much easier for Andreu to keep in constant contact with them.
"It use to be so hard to get to know how everyone is doing over there because it could take even days to get a reply when you send an email," Andreu said.
"It's pretty nice to keep in touch with how they are doing everyday and to actually see their faces."
Andreu says free WiFi in Cuba has made it possible to video chat and see family members more frequently.
Travel has also become less of a hassle according to Andreu.
"Before they will probably have to go through a third country and now they don't actually have to do that. It means that they will get to know the island much better, they'll be more open about traveling because they will not be worried about trouble."
While improved communication and travel have been great for Andreu, she says it is only a small part of improving conditions in Cuba.
"They are just looking forward to change, which is what we need mostly," Andreu said.
"I mean it has been over 50 years with the same kind of way of doing things and we are ready to move on."
