‘I would not leave Cuba without that degree’

SHANIQUE Miller never imagined that simple things like an onion, eggs, or electricity could bring her so much joy. But after six years in Cuba, enduring blackouts, water shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic, and days when food was scarce, the Jamaican dental surgeon says she’s returned home with more than the degree she’d set out to earn — she’s back with a transformed perspective on life.

At 32, Miller said there were many moments when she considered giving up, but remained determined to leave the Spanish-speaking country with her degree. The experience, she said, taught her compassion, gratitude for the little things, and that money is not everything. Most importantly, she’s learnt that it is never too late to start over and with God and a strong support system, anything is possible.

Her journey began at The University of the West Indies, Mona, where she initially enrolled in dentistry but soon realised the programme was not the right fit for her. After researching dental programmes in Cuba, she took a leap of faith and left Jamaica in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, to pursue her dream in Havana.