A Cuban woman, known on TikTok as @cynthia.cabrera.r, has captured attention by sharing her journey of adaptation after relocating to Belgium a year ago. Her story resonates due to its honesty and the challenges of beginning anew in a completely foreign land. "What can I say? It was a huge challenge to first leave Cuba and then arrive in Belgium, a country entirely different. When I got here, I felt like an alien because I understood nothing," she began in her video.
Cynthia explained that in her region, the official language is Dutch, presenting a significant hurdle, especially since the cultural diversity made it rare to hear someone speak Spanish. "Whenever I heard someone speaking Spanish, I thought, 'How wonderful, someone who speaks Spanish!'" she shared.
In a follow-up video, Cynthia is seen heading to her Dutch class, where she is in her second semester. Amid jokes about the chilly weather, she reflected on the complexities of emigrating to a country with a completely different language: "Every time someone leaves their country and starts a new life, it's always difficult, but learning another language adds more difficulty. Here, they speak Dutch, and it’s a really complicated language."
Despite the challenges, Cynthia encourages other migrants not to give up. "Age doesn't matter; there is no age limit to improving yourself. In my group, there are people of all ages, from 20 to 60 years old. I urge you to start learning, even just the basics, because I realized here that you need to speak the language for everything: work, paperwork, going to the doctor, everything."
She contrasted her struggles with her daughter's experience, who at a young age, has already mastered Dutch with ease. "It's incredible, my daughter, after nine months here, was already speaking quite a bit of Dutch and now speaks it perfectly. She helps me," Cynthia added.
The post sparked a wave of supportive comments from other Cubans living in Belgium or other parts of Europe. One user commented, "I'm Cuban and have lived in Belgium for 23 years. It's not bad here, but the nostalgia is immense. Feel free to contact me. Welcome." Another added, "I also live in Belgium and am Cuban. The language is tough, but with effort, you can get ahead."
Some noted the benefits of living in Belgium despite the challenges. "The important thing is that you are free and have the strength to keep moving forward"; "Don't worry, you will overcome the language. What I haven't gotten used to after 18 years is the weather and the gray days, but after winter, summer always comes"; "I've been living here for 24 years, and although it was very tough initially, I now appreciate the quality of life I could give my children."
Others highlighted Belgium's multicultural nature and its multiple official languages. "Belgium is a country that speaks Dutch, French, and German. It's very diverse, but that diversity also makes it unique"; "Dutch is tough, but once you learn it, life is different."
With a motivating tone, Cynthia concluded her video with words of encouragement for those in similar situations: "Though it's difficult, stay strong. Don't stop, keep going. If you can still work, learning the language will make life easier."
Insights into Emigrating to Belgium
What language challenges do Cuban migrants face in Belgium?
Cuban migrants, like Cynthia, often struggle with learning Dutch, the official language in many parts of Belgium, as it's vastly different from their native Spanish.
How do migrants overcome language barriers in Belgium?
Migrants can overcome language barriers by taking language classes and practicing regularly. Support from local communities and fellow migrants also plays a significant role.
What are some benefits of living in Belgium despite the challenges?
Despite the initial challenges, many migrants appreciate the freedom, diversity, and quality of life that Belgium offers.