"In six months of working as a cleaning assistant in Brazil, I was able to buy what I could never afford in Cuba as a doctor," began her testimony on TikTok, Leonor, a Cuban doctor who decided to emigrate in June 2023, leaving behind her career on the island to seek the stability that her profession did not provide in her own country.
His story, shared through a series of videos on his TikTok profile @leonlorde1991, has resonated with thousands, sparking a discussion about the reality faced by Cuban professionals seeking opportunities abroad.
In her own words, this Cuban shares her experience as a doctor on the island: “In Cuba, I studied for six years to become a doctor. I graduated as a general physician and then studied for two more years to specialize in MGI, which is similar to the family medicine specialty in other countries.”
However, despite all their effort and preparation, the economic reality was harsh: "I worked for seven years as a doctor, from 2015 to 2023, and yet in my home, I did not have a washing machine or a refrigerator... having a rice cooker was an impossible dream. The possibility of buying a gas stove with an oven was an impossible dream."
For many Cubans, access to these basic comforts depends on receiving financial assistance from abroad or having connections with the government, Leonor explains in her videos, pointing out that "in Cuba, everyday Cubans are all poor."
Now settled in Brazil, Leonor reflects on her new life, even though she works in cleaning instead of practicing medicine. "Draw your own conclusions," she states in another of her videos, highlighting the contrast between her past and her present.
Despite being in a job unrelated to his field of study, he has managed in just a few months to acquire things that he viewed as an unattainable luxury in Cuba. This comparison between his two realities has resonated with thousands of people on social media, who feel moved or connected to his experience.
The comment section was filled with messages of support and solidarity, as well as accounts from other emigrants who shared their own stories of frustration with the Cuban system. One user commented: “This is me, living in Mexico. In Cuba, I was a pediatrician; in Mexico, I’m a salesperson in a store.” Another message, from Uruguay, said: “Keep going, Cuban sister. I hope you are able to fulfill your life expectations. You deserve it.”
Of course, there were those who questioned her current situation and suggested that she validate her degree in order to practice in Brazil. “A doctor in any country is still a doctor. Why are you working in cleaning? Something doesn’t add up,” commented one user. Meanwhile, others sent her encouragement and congratulations, reminding her that starting anew in a different country is always challenging. "All beginnings are difficult, don't give up. Dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality," wrote another person.
Some comments touched on deeper issues regarding the situation in Cuba and the socialist system. "Socialism is the philosophy of failure," wrote one follower, while another added, "It's better to clean and have freedom than to hold a degree and live humiliated under communism." Several people advised him to emigrate to countries where credential recognition is more accessible or where his degree could be more easily acknowledged: "Come to Chile and you can work in your profession," or "Come to the Dominican Republic and you'll see how you can earn a luxurious salary."
Leonor's story reflects the reality of many Cubans who see emigration as an opportunity to achieve the well-being and freedom that they feel is denied to them in their own country. While she continues to work in Brazil, her words continue to resonate on TikTok, inspiring and generating empathy among those who understand that, even though she now has to clean, she has the chance to build a future that seemed impossible in Cuba.
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