The young South Korean Chimba Chung, a medical student in Cuba, announced that he is forced to interrupt his university studies due to the high fees he must pay, as he does not have any scholarships.
In a video posted on his Instagram account, Chung explained that the tuition for foreign students amounts to 10,000 dollars per year, an amount that has become unsustainable for him.
He currently has a debt corresponding to three academic years—fourth, fifth, and sixth grades—amounting to about $30,000.
"I am self-financed. I have to pay $10,000 a year, and since I don't have that money, I must work. I took a leave of absence from the university for a year, and now I'm going to Australia to work in mines and make money. After that, I will return to Cuba as always to finish my degree," he said.
Chung, who is currently in Seoul, South Korea, reported that he completed the medical and legal procedures and obtained the visa that will allow him to move to Australia. There, he plans to take on a demanding and risky job that is well-paid and will enable him to gather enough funds.
"I need to make a lot of money, so I decided to go to a place where I could work more and earn more. Yes, there are risks, it's hard work, but it's worth it. I also want to meet people from different cultures," he commented.
The student and influencer noted that he does not know anyone in Australia and that it will be his first time in the country, although he recalled that he had a similar experience when he moved to Cuba seven years ago to begin his medical studies.
"I feel good because I'm going to eat a lot, work, and make money. I'm going to show you my day-to-day life in Australia, and then, in a year, I'll see you in Cuba," he said optimistically.
In addition to her academic role, Chimba Chung has gained followers on social media by sharing content about everyday life in Cuba.
In several videos, she compares her life in Korea, where she could eat meat whenever she wanted, took care of her skin, dressed fashionably, and enjoyed K-pop music, with the Cuban reality characterized by food shortages, transportation challenges, and the predominance of reguetón.
It has also shown scenes from its Medical classes on the Island, providing a personal and often critical perspective of its experience as a foreign student.
Her decision to pause her studies and temporarily emigrate to Australia illustrates the economic difficulties faced by self-financing international students in Cuba, a country where tuition fees for foreigners have remained high despite the widespread crisis affecting the nation.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of studying Medicine in Cuba
Why did the student Chimba Chung interrupt his Medical studies in Cuba?
The young South Korean Chimba Chung decided to interrupt his Medical studies in Cuba because he cannot afford the high tuition fees for foreign students, which amount to 10,000 dollars per year. He currently has a debt of 30,000 dollars from three academic years.
How does Chimba Chung plan to finance his studies in Cuba?
Chimba Chung plans to move to Australia to work in mines and earn enough money to pay off his debt and continue his medical studies in Cuba. He has completed the necessary procedures and obtained the visa to be able to work in that country.
What challenges do international students face in Cuba?
International students in Cuba face high tuition costs and must financially support themselves, which can lead to unsustainable economic situations. Moreover, the country's economic crisis further complicates their situation, as the cost of living is also high.
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