Adis, a Cuban woman who migrated to Spain, has shared her experience on TikTok about the challenges she's faced adapting to unexpected jobs despite being a healthcare professional in her homeland.
In her first video, this Cuban (@ajstyle0105) currently living in Benidorm, explained how she left her life as a doctor in Cuba to reunite with her husband in Spain. Upon arrival, she had to confront the harsh reality of not being able to practice her profession due to the lack of certification. This led her to take on jobs she never imagined, such as working as a waitress in a filà, a type of group that organizes parades in the popular Moors and Christians festivals. “I would get home and couldn't feel my feet,” she recounted about this experience.
Adis also mentioned that it took about seven months for her documentation to arrive, which made it difficult to find stable employment during that time. Meanwhile, she worked at her mother-in-law's bar-restaurant in Alcoy, involving constant travel from Benidorm, making her situation even more exhausting.
In a second video, this Cuban detailed how, after returning from a trip to Cuba, she was finally able to seek a job more aligned with her training as a nurse in a retirement home. There, she had to adapt to a new role and the challenge of a new context, especially since the protocols were different from what she knew in Cuba, and most residents were foreigners speaking English, Dutch, or German. "It’s a very demanding job because working in a retirement home, believe me, you need a lot of patience," she noted, emphasizing the importance of accepting differences and learning to work under the supervision of other doctors while acknowledging the great team she works with.
TikTok users showed their support and empathy in the comments. "When I arrived in Spain, I worked up to 18 hours and ended up exhausted. Stay strong, dear, things will get better," one user encouraged. Others expressed their admiration and wishes for her success, while some urged her to continue sharing her story.
Challenges Faced by Cuban Migrants in Spain
Many Cuban migrants face numerous challenges when relocating to Spain, particularly in professional integration and adapting to new job roles. Here are some common questions and answers that provide insight into these experiences.
What are the common challenges Cuban migrants face in Spain?
Cuban migrants often struggle with obtaining certification for their professional qualifications, finding stable employment, and adapting to different cultural and workplace norms.
How long does it typically take for Cuban migrants to receive their documentation in Spain?
It can take several months, often around seven months, for Cuban migrants to receive their documentation, which can significantly delay their ability to find stable employment.
What types of jobs do Cuban professionals often take upon arriving in Spain?
Due to the delay in certification, Cuban professionals often take on unexpected roles such as waitressing, working in restaurants, or other service industry positions until they can work in their trained professions.