A Cuban doctor, who arrived in Spain eight months ago, has temporarily set aside her medical degree to make a living as a waitress on a permanent contract.
Ismaray, the young woman behind the YouTube channel "La Tribu Pérez," shares insights into her unexpected career shift, which has surprised her in more ways than one due to her lack of experience in the hospitality industry.
"I wish I could tell you that I'm working as a doctor here in Spain, but that's not the case," she confesses candidly.
What shocked her the most from day one was not the job itself but a rule she signed along with her contract: the prohibition of sitting during working hours. "Sitting is not allowed during the work shift," she explains, detailing the physical toll it takes: "I have to stand for the entire eight-hour shift, whether there are customers or not, and that has affected me because standing for eight hours causes extreme foot pain."
While her body has gradually adjusted, she admits it remains the most challenging aspect of the job.
Another surprising rule was the restriction on mobile phone use. "During work hours, it's allowed strictly for work-related purposes or personal emergencies," she notes. Reflecting on this, she adds: "Cubans are used to having their phones at hand, and you can't do that here."
Adjusting to a New Work Culture
The contrast with her previous experience in Cuba is stark. Ismaray worked in the state-run healthcare sector, where flexibility and low demands were the norm: "In Cuba, if you need to step out to handle a personal matter, you can, but here in Spain, it's very different."
Her split shift runs from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, but she lives an hour away from her workplace. "It's a bit cumbersome because I lose four hours commuting," she laments.
Despite these challenges, having a permanent contract from day one has been crucial, enabling her to secure rental housing, which is becoming increasingly difficult in Spain without formal employment backing.
Navigating New Opportunities
Ismaray attended her job interview without any prior experience in the hospitality sector. The manager made it clear that this wasn't a barrier: "We're not interested in your experience; we're interested in your willingness to learn and your quickness." Today, she expertly handles the grill and coffee machine.
Regarding her pay, she shared her June paycheck: 1,432 euros. "Every month, my salary is roughly the same," she explains. Tips, though modest, are divided every Saturday among the four employees, with her highest take being 17 euros.
Despite the hurdles, Ismaray remains focused on her goal, concluding her videos with encouragement for those in similar situations: "If you're not where you want to be yet, don't lose hope. Fight for your dreams and keep moving forward."
In Cuba, the starting monthly salary for a newly graduated doctor was set at 7,045 Cuban pesos in July, according to Resolution 17/2026 from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. This amount, equivalent to just 7.6 dollars at the informal exchange rate this past Saturday, makes it impossible to afford the cost of food.
More than 287,000 Cubans currently reside in Spain, as reported by the National Institute of Statistics, with over 95,000 arriving between 2022 and 2024.
Many Cuban healthcare professionals work in different sectors while waiting for their qualifications to be recognized—a process legally capped at six months but often extending for years.
FAQs About Cuban Professionals in Spain
Why do Cuban doctors work in other sectors in Spain?
Many Cuban doctors work in other sectors while waiting for the recognition of their medical qualifications, a process that can take years despite having a legal maximum of six months.
What challenges do Cuban immigrants face in Spain?
Cuban immigrants often face challenges such as finding employment, adjusting to different work cultures, and securing housing, especially without formal employment contracts.
How does the salary of a Cuban doctor in Spain compare to one in Cuba?
In Spain, Cuban doctors working in other sectors may earn significantly more than in Cuba, where the starting salary for a newly graduated doctor is only 7,045 Cuban pesos monthly, equivalent to about 7.6 dollars informally.