A Cuban economist in London

Once again I have the pleasure to publish a blog by one of the fifteen Cuban Chevening scholars currently in the UK. Ricardo Gonzalez is a teacher and researcher from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Havana and is studying a masters in economics at Queen Mary University, London. Thanks to Ricardo for this blog!

Eight months have passed since I left my home, my family, my friends and my teaching post at the Economics Faculty of Havana University – the best job I know of. Eight months have passed since I left behind all the little things that make up our daily life in Cuba, things that become particularly important when you are no longer there.

We leave behind part of who we are and what defines us as people and as Cubans. So, with a back pack full of ‘items pending’, I came to the United Kingdom to study for a Masters in Economics at London’s Queen Mary University. I was motivated by the idea of studying in a country that is traditionally renowned for the quality of its universities in my field, set in a continent which has deep progressive social and human tendencies. I was passionate about the idea of growing professionally so as to be able to give the best of myself to my profession, my students and my country.

What has surprised me the most during my time here? Undoubtedly the quality of the postgraduate teaching system in the United Kingdom. In addition to studying in a highly competent and technical Faculty, equipped with sophisticated resources and supported by excellent logistical services, a UK postgraduate class is a multicultural space which brings together talented students from all over the world. I have been astonished by this competitive environment in which students are highly motivated to develop their skills and knowledge.

London is an amazing city, but I would be lying if I told you about my experiences as a tourist. Apart from a few visits to the main museums during my first days in the UK, and the odd trip outside London, my days have been spent in classrooms and the library. The other people on my course are studying as if they were training for a marathon. All the mathematics I have learnt is fundamental to preparing for each exam, because teaching economics is also based on developing abstract and structured thinking. It’s crucial that you are completely dedicated if you want to make the most of this learning opportunity.

In three months’ time I will return to my island, Cuba, to the place I feel I left a lifetime ago. I return with an uncontainable desire to incorporate everything that I have learnt into the subjects that I teach, and into the research that awaits me. I want to use the tools I have learnt about in the courses and the skills I have developed and build them into our vision of development.

Thank you Chevening for having given me this opportunity to grow personally and professionally.