The Biggest Challenges Cuban Migrants Face in Guyana

Moving to a new country is never easy.

It's exciting, yes.

But it's also overwhelming.

You're surrounded by unfamiliar places, unfamiliar systems and unfamiliar people.

Everything from opening a bank account to buying groceries suddenly requires a level of confidence that can be difficult to find when you're starting over.

For Cuban migrants arriving in Guyana, those challenges are no different.

Behind every statistic is a person trying to rebuild their life, find work, make new friends and create a sense of stability in a place they've never called home before.

While every person's journey is unique, there are a number of challenges that many Cuban migrants experience during their first months in Guyana.

The Language Barrier

One of the biggest obstacles is language.

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America, while Spanish is the first language for almost all Cuban migrants.

That means many of the everyday tasks most people take for granted suddenly become far more complicated.

Booking a doctor's appointment.

Speaking with a landlord.

Attending a job interview.

Understanding instructions at work.

Even asking for directions can feel intimidating when you're trying to communicate in a language you don't yet feel confident using.

Learning English isn't simply about memorising vocabulary.

It's about building the confidence to use it in real life.

Understanding Guyanese English

While researching this project, I had a conversation that completely changed the way I thought about language learning.

I recently spoke with someone who moved from Cuba to Guyana around four years ago.

Today, he's settled, got his own business and has successfully built a life there.

When I asked him about his biggest challenge after arriving, I expected him to say finding work or learning English.

Instead, he said something I hadn't considered.

"Learning English wasn't actually the hardest part. Understanding Guyanese English was."

That really stayed with me.

Most Cubans who study English are learning American English.

Some learn British English.

Very few learn the English they'll actually hear every day in Guyana.

Like every country, Guyana has its own rhythm of speech, pronunciation, vocabulary

and everyday expressions.

You can know English...

...and still struggle to understand the people around you.

That isn't a failure.

It's simply part of adapting to a new linguistic environment.

How This Shaped the Programme

The more I learned about the experiences of Cuban migrants in Guyana, the more I realised this programme couldn't simply be another English course.

It needed to prepare people for life in Guyana, not just life in an English classroom.

This October, through Help Cubans in Guyana, I'll be travelling to Guyana to deliver free conversational English classes for around 180 Cuban migrants.

Rather than focusing on grammar exams or academic English, we'll practise the kinds of conversations people are likely to have every day.

Job interviews.

Speaking with employers.

Shopping.

Using public transport.

Visiting the doctor.

Meeting neighbours.

Asking for help.

Building confidence.

I'm also hoping to invite Guyanese teachers and members of the local community into some of the sessions so learners can become familiar with the local accent, vocabulary and everyday expressions they'll hear outside the classroom.

Because learning a language isn't just about speaking.

It's about understanding.

It's about connection.

And ultimately, it's about helping people feel at home.

Conclusion

Language won't solve every challenge that comes with migration.

But it can remove one of the biggest barriers.

The ability to understand and be understood opens doors to employment, education, healthcare and community.

If this programme helps someone walk into their first job interview with a little more confidence, ask for help without fear or simply feel more connected to the people around them, then it will have achieved exactly what it set out to do.

After all, every new beginning starts with a conversation.