A young Cuban residing in Porto, Portugal, has moved many on social media by sharing on TikTok what a workday looks like far from his homeland. The video, posted by the user @rafaoramas233, quickly garnered reactions from emigrants and compatriots both inside and outside the European country.
Titled “A Day in the Life of a Cuban in Porto, Portugal”, the clip has received dozens of comments expressing support, identification, and pride among Cubans settled in various parts of the country. In it, Rafa begins his narration by explaining that he forgot to record his morning routine, but shortly after he is seen at his workplace, reviewing information from the previous shift and getting organized to tackle the day ahead. Although he does not mention the name of the hotel, he describes his work in customer service as an unexpected challenge: he never imagined he would find himself working in front of people, but that is what he has encountered.
The recording, with a close and spontaneous tone, captures moments such as the break for the small snack, his interaction with Portuguese and Brazilian colleagues in the cleaning area, and the relief of clocking out after eight hours of work. The young man also mentions that his salary allows him to send assistance to his family in Cuba, a constant motivation amidst the challenges, and he affirms that he always thinks of everything as temporary and about the salary that helps him support those he left behind.
The community reacted: "Strength," "We are few, but we are here."
The comments came in quickly. Many Cuban users living in Portugal left encouraging messages, shared their locations, and noted how challenging yet rewarding the journey of an emigrant can be. “Stay strong; there’s no such thing as a seven-headed monster,” wrote a Cuban from Lisbon. “There are only a few of us here,” replied the creator, confirming that he lives in Porto. Others inquired about the hotel where he works, how he arrived in the country, or even mentioned that they recognized him from an old youth program in Cuba, to which Rafa responded affirmatively.
An achievement that precedes the story: the arrival of the residence
A day before releasing the video about his routine, Rafa publicly celebrated another significant moment: the receipt of his residency card in Portugal. In an emotional clip, he showed how he received the official envelope, opened it, and proudly displayed his document, accompanied by the message: “Only those who have immigrated understand the importance of this moment.”
This post generated a wave of congratulations, questions about the immigration process, and messages of hope from other Cubans who are waiting for their residency or have already obtained it. “The sacrifice is truly worth it,” commented one user, while another said, “Congratulations, brother.” Rafa explained that he had actually received his residency months earlier, in August, but had only just been able to share the video. He also mentioned that he arrived in Portugal on a tourist visa and has been in the country for over two and a half years.
In context: the voice of a diverse and hard-working diaspora
The testimony of this young Cuban adds to a series of stories shared by CiberCuba in recent months, where other emigrants have revealed the reality of starting over in countries like the United States, Spain, Italy, or the United Kingdom.
From a Cuban in Nebraska organizing shelves at Walmart to another in California working at Burlington; from a Cuban doctor in Benidorm now caring for the elderly to those who clean houses in Italy or drive trucks in England, the narrative of Cuban migration is interwoven with effort, adaptation, and profound nostalgia.
Rafa's video in Portugal not only reflects the daily lives of thousands of Cubans scattered around the world, but also reinforces an essential message: the emigrant's journey is filled with sacrifices, but also with achievements that are celebrated with the same intensity as the obstacles faced.
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