A Cuban woman residing in Galicia has taken to TikTok to share a video detailing three challenges she still faces after living in Spain for three years. Her candid account has sparked a lively discussion among Spanish and Latin American users.
"I'm a Cuban living in Galicia, and these are three things I haven't gotten used to in Spain," explained @leyanetfrankedelp as she started her video, speaking in a familiar tone about her adaptation journey.
One of the main challenges she highlighted is the northern Spanish climate: "I can't get used to this weather, the cold, the rain... the cold doesn't bother me as much, but the rain goes on week after week; the sun comes out for five minutes and then it starts raining again. You have to get used to the fact that in Galicia, an umbrella is part of your outfit."
She also mentioned the meal schedules, which differ greatly from those in Cuba: "Here they eat lunch at 3 PM and dinner at 10 PM; I can't get used to that. I continue having lunch at noon and dinner at 7 PM, and I don't think I'll ever adapt."
Another difficulty, she noted, is the language: "I don't understand anything; Galician is hard for me. If you speak slowly, I can catch some things, but if you speak fast, I don't get it. The worst part is that my daughter is Galician, and she's starting to learn to speak; at daycare, they speak to her in Galician and now she's speaking it to me. I have no choice but to learn."
Leya clarified her intent was not to criticize Spain or Galicians. "I'm not saying I dislike things about Spain. I love Spain and am immensely grateful for the opportunities it has given me and for blessing me with a wonderful daughter. But as a Cuban, there are things I just haven't adjusted to," she expressed.
The video attracted numerous comments and sparked a debate about cultural adaptation and respecting local customs. Some users supported her right to share her experiences, while others criticized her for not adapting or questioned her choice of Galicia as a destination.
Comments ranged from, "If you came to Spain and don't like the weather, why choose Galicia?" to "If you're in Galicia, you have to learn the language, culture must be preserved."
Others pointed out that "Galician is spoken in Galicia, just as Basque is spoken in the Basque Country and Catalan in Catalonia," while some emphasized, "Spanish is the official language, and all Spaniards are required to know it."
More conciliatory comments highlighted that "loving a country does not mean you can't express your struggles." Leya responded briefly and directly: "I don't need to move because I never said I dislike it; I said I'm not used to it."
"Emigrants can only speak if it's to say everything is perfect." Following the influx of comments, the young woman posted a second video days later, reflecting on the reactions her initial video elicited. "After the video about the three things I haven’t gotten used to in my three years in Galicia, I received many comments like 'pack your bags,' 'go back to Cuba,' 'go home,' 'leave,'" she recounted.
She defended emigrants' right to express themselves: "An emigrant can only speak if it's to say everything is perfect. If we express dislike, it causes discomfort. Being an emigrant doesn't mean losing our voice or that we must silently applaud everything without voicing what we dislike. Having an opinion is not disrespectful."
She insisted her message was misunderstood: "At no point did I say Galicia was bad, I simply mentioned three things I haven't adapted to as an emigrant. That doesn't make me ungrateful or less a part of here."
With a calm demeanor, she concluded, "I didn't cross an ocean to live in silence. My experience matters too."
A Voice Reflecting the Migrant Experience The incident has sparked empathy among many emigrants residing in Spain who relate to her adaptation to new customs. It has also prompted reflections on integration, cultural respect, and regional differences.
Leya, who had previously gained attention with a social media post countering an offensive remark about Cuban women—stating, "I came to this country to work honestly and to have a dignified future"—once again highlights the reality of emigrants sharing their everyday lives away from the island.
Her recent testimony places her back at the center of the conversation surrounding emigrant adaptation and the respect for diverse experiences in Spain.
Understanding Cultural Adaptation in Spain
What challenges does Leya face in Spain?
Leya struggles with the climate in northern Spain, the different meal schedules, and the local Galician language.
How did people react to Leya's video?
The video sparked a wide range of reactions, from support for her right to share her experiences to criticism of her adaptation difficulties and choice of Galicia.
Does Leya regret moving to Galicia?
No, Leya emphasizes that she loves Spain and appreciates the opportunities it has given her despite the adaptation challenges.