Dayan, 26
Born in Havana, Cuba
Came to Australia in August 2018
How did we meet?
I met Dayan through Facebook. We actually have a mutual friend in Peter, who I used to work with at NAB in Direct Servicing.
What is your occupation?
I work at a gym called City Fitness as a receptionist.
I’m currently studying a Certificate of Finance and Mortgages online course at Monash University. I want to become a mortgage broker so I’m looking to change jobs at the moment.
My degrees - a Bachelor of Education (English & French) and a Diploma of Management are of no value because Cuban university degrees are not internationally recognised. It sucks that I have to start from square one again, but that’s the way it works.
One of my main dreams is to become a writer and one day become a motivational speaker. When I was at university, I won a few poetry prizes so I have a knack for expressing myself eloquently.
Why did you come to Australia?
I met my wife 3 and a half years ago in Havana and we started dating; at the time she was travelling through Latin America. We were in a long-distance relationship so I would come to Australia for a few months, and then she would visit me in Cuba.
When I graduated from university, I decided to emigrate to Australia permanently.
We got married in September 2019!
What do you like about Sydney?
I like the multicultural food scene in Sydney; there’s so much variety as it’s a very international city.
The people are very nice. They have a strong moral compass and have respectable values. Cuba is a very traditional, old-fashioned country in the way we see things. It’s interesting to learn new perspectives; it’s one of the best ways to grow as a person.
You have so many opportunities to attain stability in life here, whereas, it’s not the same in Cuba. The economy is terrible over there and people are earning $15 a month. I once saw people lining up at a travel agency trying to buy tickets to Haiti. They’re lining up to travel to one of the poorest countries in the world in order to procure goods and resell them in Cuba. That is how deplorable the situation is.
What don’t you like about Sydney?
Cubans are very warm and kind-hearted. We hug and kiss the cheeks of everyone we meet, even complete strangers. However, I get a cold shoulder from strangers here; I get that it’s a completely different culture.
I’ve noticed that there are a few snobbish and entitled people in Sydney; they feel like they’re better than everyone else simply because they have more money. Of course, this isn’t representative of Sydneysiders in general but I have witnessed it from time to time, especially as I work in a gym that’s right in the middle of the CBD. In Cuba, this would never exist as the general populace goes through the same struggle.
What would you like to say to Sydneysiders?
On a similar note to my previous answer, I would ask Sydneysiders to differentiate between their needs and wants.
There are many material things you might want, but everyone only needs a few intrinsic things (food, water, shelter, family etc) in order to be happy. People tend to think that you need a fancy house, luxury car and the newest shoes in order to be happy, whereas that’s simply not the case. The reason I want to do motivational speeches is that I know what it’s like to live with nothing at all.
What languages do you speak?
Spanish (native), English
I learnt French at university but I’ve since forgotten all of it. Languages are like musical instruments; if you don’t play them, you’ll forget them inevitably. I used to play the guitar and piano back in Cuba but I haven’t played either in 8 years.
Teach us one word/phrase from your native language.
¿Asere qué bola?”
Asere is like mate or brother. You use it to address a friend. It’s probably the most quintessential word in Cuba.
Qué bola is like “What’s up?” and is the more informal way of saying “Como Estas.”
Both of these terms are Cuba-specific; you wouldn’t hear it in any other Spanish-speaking country.
What is one thing you want us to know about your native country?
I recommend everyone to go to Cuba. The culture is amazing; everyone helps each other and we treat everyone like family.
Noteworthy places include the capital Havana, Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba. In Havana, my favourite place is Fábrica de Arte Cubano, an art gallery and a nightclub.
My favourite spot in the whole country is El Nicho; it’s basically a stream of endless waterfalls situated near mountains. I personally wouldn’t visit Varadero as it feels like just another superficial resort town; you don’t get to experience the real Cuba. That’s just my two cents.
In your opinion, who is the most famous person in your native country?
Fidel Castro
President of Cuba from 1976 to 2008.
He was a very smart person but a tyrant at heart. My father was actually a bodyguard for Raul Castro, who succeeded Fidel as President after the latter passed away. Cuba was the foremost exporter of sugar prior to 1959 and we were more developed than places like Miami at the time.
We essentially became frozen in time when Fidel Castro gained power. They killed a lot of dissidents, homosexuals, anyone who would stand in the way of the repressive, socialistic regime.
What is the best dish in your native country?
Moros y Cristianos and Lechon Asado
Moros y Crisitanos is served at virtually every Cuban restaurant; it is essentially rice and beans.
Lechon Asado is Cuban grilled pork. What sets Cuban-style pork apart is the use of mojo criollo, a highly seasoned marinade made up of tangy citrus juice, vast amounts of garlic, cumin, and oregano. I learnt this dish from my father, who learnt it from my grandfather. This is the quintessential Cuban dish that gets passed on to every ensuing generation.
Disclaimer: All posts are personal opinions and perspectives of the interviewees and are not a perfect representation of the whole country/experience.
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