The Cuban TikTok user Lola, known as @lolalaura205, shared a video on the platform where she reflected on nostalgia, gains, and losses after living in Germany for 28 years.
In the clip, which has sparked multiple reactions, the Cuban referred to what emigration has meant for her, not only due to the cultural differences but also the emotional ones between both countries. "On August 29, it has been 28 years since I have lived in Germany, and people ask me: what do you miss the most? I miss the sea because in Cuba I live 100 meters from the beach, I miss my friends, I miss the food from my home," she explained.
In his reflection, he also spoke about what he has gained over these nearly three decades away from his homeland: "I have gained freedom. It is so rich to wake up in the morning and do not everything you want to do, but a lot of what you do desire." However, he also acknowledged that there have been challenges in his integration in Germany, especially in the social aspect, and in response to the question of what he has lost, he said "a bit of laughter"; "because Germans have no joy, and whoever says otherwise is just a bootlicker," he added.
In his case, he also addressed the difficulty of forming close relationships with local people. "You might have one or two German friends, that’s individual, but there is no group of German friends, there isn’t." Additionally, he commented on the dynamics within the Cuban community in Germany: "When you meet up, it’s a group of Cuban friends that sometimes works well for a while, but then you get tired of the lies, the speculations because we are not all the same."
The video has generated reactions from other users, many of whom identified with their experience. "I miss the smell of the sea, the super sweet fruits, the mango or mamey shake, talking for long hours with my brothers and cousins, playing dominoes, drinking rum, strolling through the neighborhoods of Centro Habana"; "Oh my girl, how I miss our people, but well, one loses a bit of the laughter"; "I carry Cuba deep in my heart"; "I understand you because I've been in Germany for 30 years, I'm also ... happy, but I miss my Cuba"; "this made me cry, here we are only with God and our beliefs. I hardly even smile anymore," some commented.
Other users shared their own life balances abroad: "I moved from Germany to Spain, and now I live with less, miss less, cry less, have less money, but I live more!"; "I walk alone. I want my people a thousand leagues away from me, and the ones here don’t even love themselves, so why would I want to have them as friends?"
There were also those who highlighted the positive aspects of migration or shared different viewpoints and experiences: "Am I the only one who doesn't miss home?"; "I don't miss anything and I have lived in Europe for 24 years"; "Good morning, sorry but here in Berlin, I have a great time with the Germans and I'm not kissing anyone’s ass, I am speaking from my experience here for as many years as you.”
Despite the disparate or shared experiences, the video of this Cuban emigrant has resonated with those who, like her, have had to adapt to a new life abroad, facing both the challenges of nostalgia and the cultural differences, as well as the undeniable gains of the new land. Her reflections have sparked an interesting debate about what is gained and lost when emigrating, and how, despite the challenges, many manage to find balance and fulfillment in their lives far from home.
What do you think?
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