Jamaican students who ventured to Cuba with dreams of earning a world-class medical degree are confronting harsh realities, as they endure the same power outages, shortages, and hardships that Cuban families face daily. In a report by the Jamaica Observer, students like Kelsey Clarke and Dominique Whitely shared their experiences of prolonged blackouts, water scarcity, and lack of basic supplies that have defined their university life on the island.
Clarke, studying at Girón, highlighted that "power outages lasting up to eight hours a day" severely impact her academic performance. She stated, "I need the light and fan to study, but the heat and mosquitoes make it impossible to concentrate."
Whitely, a sixth-year student at the University of Havana, described the experience as "humiliating," recalling how she had to adapt to the shortage of toothpaste, hygiene products, and even potable water since her arrival. "If you survive in Cuba, you can survive anywhere," she told the Observer.
Energy Crisis Deepens
The country's energy situation is at a critical juncture. In May, the regime promised that summer blackouts wouldn't exceed four hours daily per customer. However, just weeks later, the Union Eléctrica (UNE) admitted that the outages would be much longer due to a structural deficit.
By July, Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy confessed to the National Assembly that the promise had not been fulfilled. Official data now shows a deficit of around 1,700 MW, resulting in power cuts exceeding 12 hours in several provinces.
The High Cost of Education
The contrast is stark for foreign students who pay nearly 90,000 Canadian dollars for a six-year course, significantly less than in other countries. Yet, they must learn to study by candlelight or among mosquitoes, just like the Cuban people.
Unkept Promises and Misplaced Priorities
The frustration grows knowing that, according to investigations, the military conglomerate Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), under the Armed Forces (FAR), controls over $18 billion—enough to build modern plants and end the electrical nightmare. However, these funds are diverted to luxury hotels like the Torre K23 in Havana, while students and families across the island resort to cooking with charcoal or sleeping outside to escape the heat.
The Jamaica Observer summarized that Jamaican scholarship students find the medical training in Cuba rigorous, yet ten times harder due to living conditions. What they see as a test of endurance is a daily reality for Cubans.
The parallels are evident, as both the young students who arrived with hopes of becoming doctors and those born on the island face the same reality. In a country where the lights go out every day, not only in homes but also in the aspirations of a better future.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Jamaican Medical Students in Cuba
Why are Jamaican students choosing to study medicine in Cuba?
Jamaican students often choose Cuba for medical studies due to the lower tuition costs compared to other countries and the reputation of Cuba's medical education.
What are the major challenges faced by these students in Cuba?
The students face significant challenges such as prolonged power outages, water shortages, and scarcity of basic necessities, which affect their daily lives and academic performance.
How does the energy crisis in Cuba impact students?
The energy crisis results in frequent and extended blackouts, making it difficult for students to study and live comfortably. This situation exacerbates their already challenging living conditions.