Being back in the US is never easy. It's weird living abroad long term because you get so used to being a foreigner, that knowing what's going on around you is grounds to be a snob instead of just what's expected of you. Like for example, I kind of turned my nose up to the new foreigners in Cuba, who didn't know how to manage the 2 currency system or the bus routes. I would think in my head like "oh, you're new here huh?" It's weird being back in my home country, and being that person who doesn't know, who I would have turned my nose up to in Cuba. I have gotten used to it, and so have my friends and family, but when I meet people who don't know me, I have to give them the disclaimer "I don't know [fill in whatever obvious thing you feel people who are American should know] because I've been living outside the country for the last [X] years going to medical school in Cuba." Then I wait... Does this person know anything about Cuba? And if they do know something is what they believe positive or negative? Are they judging me? How do I smooth this over and make this a healthy conversation if they hate Cuba? and a whole series of questions that goes through my mind. It's this whole anxiety building cycle I go through everyday, since I never know when I'm not going to know something, and its been kind of been in constant in my life these past 6 years, but has definitely gotten worse over the years since my cultural knowledge deficit has increased exponentially over the years (especially since I quit social media). And I don't really know what I get so worked up about since most conversations end up being interesting and fun especially when people have heard about the great medical training in Cuba, or are impressed with the description I provide, or when we at least end up having a great conversation even if we disagree about Cuba, and I feel like I worked myself up about nothing. So yea, that's one aspect.
Its hard getting back on my feet. I went 6 1/2 years without an income. I survived by the grace of God and the kindness of humankind. Now it's time for me to get in the swing of things in the US, and it's not easy. I feel similar to a lot of college grads, trapped in this cycle of I need a job, so that I can make money and support myself, but I need money to get the job, so where do I start? I'm thankful to at least have offers for housing and food, and no dependents to worry about, so things are easier than they could be. I'm just hoping to transition to having transportation, credit, an income and overall being on my feet soon so that I can get out of the cycle of poverty once and for all.
Seeing and being with my family has been really awesome. I still feel strange when they call me Dr. Dupree. I prefer to just be called Meka, like they've always called me, but I blush when they call me Dr. Dupree, maybe because I know they are proud of me, and want to compliment me. I know my patients will refer to me very formally, and that I have to identify myself that way, so that people know who I am and why I'm in their exam room, but I don't feel the need to be called Dr. Dupree by my friends and family. I'm still Meka. You can keep calling me Meka. It's all good.
I'm doing my best this time, since my return feels very permanent, to see the beauty and goodness in this country and this culture. I don't hate the US, but I have been spoiled by my community life style in Cuba where people really care how you're doing when they ask, and they really do mean you can ask for anything and they'll be there for you if they say it, and they actually mourn the death of children even if they don't know them, and when people say you are like family, it's because they mean it, and just a long series of other sayings and actions that show one's humanity that has just nourished me in the hardest of times in Cuba. Now it's hard for me to appreciate certain things in the US. I know this country isn't all bad or filled with bad people, so please be patient with me, support me and help me see and understand the love that's here, so that I can ease into my transition home. This is afterall my home and where I would always choose to be. I am so thankful for the kindness my friends, family and some strangers have shown me, and I hope you know that you all are the ones who give me hope. You're all here and you have showed me love, so I too can live here and continue my goal of spreading love. Share your stories with me, and your experiences so that I will be inspired. That's your homework for all of my blog readers! I hope you can do that for me!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Medical School Graduation
So I'm back and I graduated! Yay!!! I was blessed to have 7 pre-graduation guests (4 Family Members!!!) and 6 graduation guests (Great Friends!!!!) that traveled all the way from different parts of the Unites States down to Cuba to be there to support me which I will always and forever appreciate. Also my fiance, Kareem, was there who forewent his own graduation party to be at my graduation ceremony and party (Kareem graduated the same day at 10am and my graduation was at 3pm so my ceremony was at the same time as his party.) I barely slept the night before preparing for graduation, then I was up to an early start for my $1 manicure/pedicure appointment and trip to the drycleaner to get my white coat pressed for 10 cents all before we headed out to Kareem's graduation at 9am.
I want to make everyone who wanted to be there, but couldn't make it, feel like they were there, so if you want to feel like you were there, and can find the time to read this, here's how it went:
The ceremony consisted of around 1500 graduates from all the medical sciences including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and other medical professions. There were 21 graduates from the US, all from medicine. The majority of the graduates were Cuban, but there were around 40% of us who were foreign students from 80 something countries from all over the world. The largest group of foreign students was from China with close to 400 graduates. The ceremony consisted of a number of inspiring speeches, poetic performances and musical numbers all dedicated to us and loving work we will do through the medical sciences. We were all seated on the lower level of a theater that seats 5000, while our family and friends sat in the upper levels of the theater. We are often referred to as an "Army of White Coats" so the ceremony was really the culmination of all of our success and not the success of each individual student.
At the end of the ceremony, we were all given our diplomas as a group after the Rector said this catchy line (even in Spanish it sounds catchy) "And now, what we've all been waiting for..." (the crowd goes wild) And he then says "The giving of the diplomas" That's when everyone stands up and finds their diploma giver, which for me was my professor and mentor Dr. Ana Maria Andreu. A woman who has mentored and taught me over the last 4 years, to whom I am eternally grateful for all the hours of dedication to my personal and professional growth.
Following the official ceremony, there was a long photo shoot, that was really more exhausting than anything else, but I'm grateful that I will soon have lots of pictures to share with you all. After the official ceremony and photo shoot, we were invited to a celebratory dinner hosted by IFCO/Pastors for Peace, the organization through which I applied to attend medical school in Cuba more than 7 years ago!
At the dinner, each graduate was invited to say a few words, and of course I cried reflecting on my journey, the support I've received from you all, and how unprecedented my graduation is in my family. We were then individually given a gift from Pastors for Peace and a gift from Congresswoman Barbara Lee. A series of photos followed, and we danced and were marry for about 10 minutes before we were absolutely exhausted and had no other choice but to go home and rest to plan for my good friend Tia's wedding, which was the next day.
It was a long day, but passed by so quickly, that I can't even imagine that I spent so many hours outside my home celebrating on that one day. I was not emotional until the party, when I realized, wow, this is over! I did it! Even still being home now feels like a summer vacation. Other graduates have told me that it feels more real when September comes and instead of preparing to go back to Cuba, the same as the last 6 years, I'll just be here lol. We'll see though...
So yea, that's the graduation!
I want to make everyone who wanted to be there, but couldn't make it, feel like they were there, so if you want to feel like you were there, and can find the time to read this, here's how it went:
The ceremony consisted of around 1500 graduates from all the medical sciences including medicine, nursing, dentistry, and other medical professions. There were 21 graduates from the US, all from medicine. The majority of the graduates were Cuban, but there were around 40% of us who were foreign students from 80 something countries from all over the world. The largest group of foreign students was from China with close to 400 graduates. The ceremony consisted of a number of inspiring speeches, poetic performances and musical numbers all dedicated to us and loving work we will do through the medical sciences. We were all seated on the lower level of a theater that seats 5000, while our family and friends sat in the upper levels of the theater. We are often referred to as an "Army of White Coats" so the ceremony was really the culmination of all of our success and not the success of each individual student.
At the end of the ceremony, we were all given our diplomas as a group after the Rector said this catchy line (even in Spanish it sounds catchy) "And now, what we've all been waiting for..." (the crowd goes wild) And he then says "The giving of the diplomas" That's when everyone stands up and finds their diploma giver, which for me was my professor and mentor Dr. Ana Maria Andreu. A woman who has mentored and taught me over the last 4 years, to whom I am eternally grateful for all the hours of dedication to my personal and professional growth.
Following the official ceremony, there was a long photo shoot, that was really more exhausting than anything else, but I'm grateful that I will soon have lots of pictures to share with you all. After the official ceremony and photo shoot, we were invited to a celebratory dinner hosted by IFCO/Pastors for Peace, the organization through which I applied to attend medical school in Cuba more than 7 years ago!
At the dinner, each graduate was invited to say a few words, and of course I cried reflecting on my journey, the support I've received from you all, and how unprecedented my graduation is in my family. We were then individually given a gift from Pastors for Peace and a gift from Congresswoman Barbara Lee. A series of photos followed, and we danced and were marry for about 10 minutes before we were absolutely exhausted and had no other choice but to go home and rest to plan for my good friend Tia's wedding, which was the next day.
It was a long day, but passed by so quickly, that I can't even imagine that I spent so many hours outside my home celebrating on that one day. I was not emotional until the party, when I realized, wow, this is over! I did it! Even still being home now feels like a summer vacation. Other graduates have told me that it feels more real when September comes and instead of preparing to go back to Cuba, the same as the last 6 years, I'll just be here lol. We'll see though...
So yea, that's the graduation!
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