Graduated as a Doctor in Cuba, She Knew She Didn't Want to Stay: A Cuban's Viral Testimony from the Dominican Republic

A young Cuban woman, known on TikTok as Mónica (@cubana_en_rd), shared a compelling video about her journey to the Dominican Republic at the start of 2024, despite not having the financial means to do so. Mónica's narrative begins in 2005 when her father left Cuba for the Dominican Republic in search of a better future. "My dad faced many hardships, even sleeping on the streets and going hungry until he eventually found work at schools in Santo Domingo Este and became stable," she recounted.

By late 2022 or early 2023, Mónica had graduated with a degree in Medicine from Cuba, but she was determined not to remain on the island. Without sufficient funds to emigrate through conventional means, she explained that her father rented rooms to fellow Cubans, and through a friend she met in this setting, she discovered a way to leave the country.

Choosing a New Path

"Initially, the plan was for me to become her 'mule.' In Cuba, being someone's mule means you accompany them to another country, carry their goods, and bring them back to Cuba. That was the original agreement," Mónica explained. However, before returning, she decided to stay in the Dominican Republic: "I sat down with my friend and said, 'Look, I don't want to go back to Cuba. I'm going to work in the Dominican Republic, and I'll pay you back whatever you invest.' Although she lacked personal funds to cover the paperwork, her friend agreed.

Ultimately, she was able to travel on January 15, 2024, not with a tourist visa, but with "a visa granting residency rights," facilitated through her father. "Even though I was at the age limit for this type of visa, thankfully, with the support of many, I was approved and given residency rights," she added.

Reception and Reflections

The video has amassed thousands of views and over 600 comments on TikTok. A large portion of commenters welcomed her, admired her determination, and thanked her for sharing her journey. Some users inquired about her medical career in the Dominican Republic. She responded, "I'm a doctor, but I'm not practicing." Many encouraged her to seek employment in private clinics or start the process of validating her university degree.

Others noted that she "no longer has a Cuban accent" and "speaks like a Dominican." Users celebrated her successful establishment outside of Cuba, expressing that her story might inspire others. Several shared similar experiences, including Dominicans with Cuban roots and migrants from other countries. One user mentioned meeting his Cuban partner and being in the process of bringing her to the country, while others expressed their desire to do the same with their families.

There were also expressions of pride toward Cuban doctors. "The best doctors are Cuban," one commented. "I hope you can practice your profession here, you're welcome," wrote another. Among the multitude of messages, there was a strong sense of kinship and unity between Dominicans and Cubans. Some summed it up with phrases like, "This is your land too," "we all fit in this country," or "we are brotherly nations."

While most reactions were positive, a small fraction of comments exhibited a critical or wary stance toward migration, though they did not spark significant debate within the post.