In recent years, Montenegro has become one of the most popular destinations for Cubans. Why is this so? What are the procedures for moving and settling there for work? Is it hard to adapt there? Yanexis, who recently moved there, tells us about her experience.
How long have you been in Montenegro, and what made you leave Cuba?
I arrived in Montenegro on July 18th. I decided to move to Montenegro because it is a country where Cubans do not need a visa. There are actually very few countries that allow Cuban citizens to enter without a visa. Anyway, I left Cuba in search of better job opportunities. I got to Montenegro thanks to a sponsorship from an employer.
What do you do these days?
When I first arrived, I worked in a food processing plant. Thanks to this job, I was able to settle here. I now work in a restaurant.
How did you manage to find a job in Montenegro?
It is very important indeed to think about finding a job before you travel. I managed to find a job with the help of a friend who was already working here. He got me in touch with a company that needed people to work. I seized the opportunity, contacted the company, and requested them to sponsor my entry into the country.
What were the next steps after getting the sponsorship and the contract?
Once you have been in contact with your employer and agreed on the terms of the work contract, you have to send a copy of your passport and an extract from your criminal record issued by the police. These two documents are enough for the employer to start the formalities in Montenegro and thus allow you to enter the country legally.
As a Cuban in Montenegro, what was the most difficult thing to adapt to?
For me, it was the food. There is nothing here like what I am used to eating in Cuba.
Are the locals welcoming toward expats?
I can only speak of my time here, but generally, things work fine. Many people here are very welcoming. Montenegrins have a particular way of being, which has nothing to do with how we Cubans do things. We are cheerful, sociable, and loud. These are not exactly the traits of most Montenegrins. However, I must say that Montenegro is a very beautiful country, both in terms of its nature and its people.
What are your plans for the future?
My first goal for the future is to gain Spanish nationality.
Is there a significant Cuban community in Montenegro, and do you have meeting places?
There are more and more Cubans in Montenegro, for sure. As for whether there are meeting places, I don't think so. In any case, I don't know of any, but that could be nice.
Is there any advice you would like to give Cubans who want to move overseas?
The most important thing is to set a goal and strive to achieve it. We must never forget that once we leave Cuba, we become immigrants. And as far as work is concerned, we must learn to adapt because it is very likely that we will always have to bear the burden of our initial situations.
