"New Life, New Perspective: Cuban Woman Shares What Surprised Her Most Upon Arriving in Spain"

A young Cuban woman has sparked widespread discussion on social media after posting a video that highlights aspects of everyday life in Europe that she finds unimaginable in Cuba. TikTok user @irene.morell.gonz shared a video just over two minutes long, detailing the surprises she encountered upon arriving in Madrid. Titled "This is Normal in Spain!!! Not in Cuba!!!!", she outlines three eye-opening differences she experienced as a Cuban immigrant.

First on her list is potable tap water. "Yes, many Spaniards might find it normal, but for Cubans, it's not," she states. "In Cuba, having water at home is nearly impossible, as it only comes every two or three times at most per week." She explains that in her homeland, people typically rely on alternative water storage systems: "Cubans store water in containers; it doesn’t flow from the tap, it comes from a bucket."

Another notable contrast she mentions is the availability of supermarkets open late. "Here in Spain, supermarkets stay open late for people who work and come home late, and they're well-stocked," she observes. Comparatively, she adds, "In Cuba, there's no food. Supermarkets are almost empty, and obtaining food is quite challenging. Plus, the prices compared to Cuban salaries make it entirely impossible."

The third significant difference she highlights is public transportation. "Buses here have a mobile app where you can see the schedule, and they don't break those rules; they always arrive on time. The metro has screens showing the departure times," she notes. Criticizing the collapse of the transport system in Cuba, she adds, "In Cuba, if I know three provinces, it's a lot because transportation is impossible. I'd arrive very late to work, even if I woke up early, as the transport system was a complete mess. Sometimes the buses would pass but wouldn't stop because they were too full."

She concludes the video by inviting her followers to check out more details on her YouTube channel. On her account, Morelilla, she uploaded a video titled "From Cuba to Spain: 5 Things That Shocked Me," where she expands on her experience with two additional topics: safety and bureaucracy. This video, published on September 7, is part of a series where she also discusses how she obtained Spanish nationality and how her life has transformed since moving to Spain.

On TikTok, her post has garnered thousands of views and more than a hundred comments. While many users praised her account and shared similar experiences, others criticized her, denied her claims, or politicized the content.

Some comments showed support: "I'm glad you could leave. You'll advance and help your family," to which she replied, "Thank you very much." Other users made ideological points such as, "That's not a cultural shock; it's what socialism leads to under communism, the decay, and decline of a country." When questioned about her political preference, she responded, "Vox, without a doubt."

There were also disagreements about the availability of drinking water in Cuba, to which she replied, "No, I'm not from Oriente; I'm from Havana, can't you tell by my accent because Oriente people speak differently." In response to another comment about standing against the Cuban system, she wrote, "Yes, we rose on July 11, 2021, but it didn't work out; we're a people without weapons and facing hunger, and they have it all figured out."

@irene.morell.gonz's testimony adds to a growing wave of social media content where newly arrived Cubans abroad document their first experiences outside the island. In a recent post, a young Cuban woman shared her excitement at visiting a fast-food chain for the first time and trying fruits like kiwi.

Another creator celebrated her children's start of the school year in Madrid without worrying about inadequate shoes or food at school. In a more critical testimony, a Cuban woman stated she emigrated because there was no hope or freedom to speak in Cuba.

Other videos have addressed issues such as bureaucracy and language barriers upon arriving in Spain, or differences between Spain and the United States experienced by Cuban migrants. There have also been reports of discrimination, like the case of a Cuban woman responding to xenophobic comments for sharing her opinions on TikTok.

In other instances, some migrants have valued the quality of life in Europe more than the income in the United States, prioritizing family time and access to basic services.