There’s no trace of drama in Mayulis’s voice—only resolve. A mantra she repeats often: “Nothing falls from the sky.” And if it does, she says, it’s not for her—because everything she has, she’s earned through hard work. A photo of her standing beside a bus in Spain captures her new life.

Mayulis, a Cuban with Iberian roots, trained as an electrical engineer. But two years ago, she left the island—and along with familiar surroundings, she shed an identity that once defined her. In a feature by Spain’s Cadena SER, she shared her unique journey as a migrant.

When she arrived in Murcia, her priority was simple: secure a better future for her daughter. But red tape quickly got in the way. Without the necessary documentation, she couldn’t validate her degree—a hurdle that pushed her to pivot professionally and explore a new path in transportation.

As of March 2025, Mayulis is behind the wheel of a school bus, working for travel agency Orbitalia in the town of Lorca.

Adjusting to life in Spain wasn’t easy. “I worked wherever I could. I started in a restaurant near home and eventually became the head of sales, the boss,” she said. “Then I began studying, taking English courses—because none of my Cuban credentials were valid here—and I got my driving license.”

Her real transformation came later, thanks to a joint initiative by Cáritas and the Regional Federation of Transport Organizations and Companies of Murcia (FROET). According to local media, the program—called Drive Your Future—aims to meet two urgent needs: offering employment to vulnerable people while addressing the driver shortage in the region.

“I used to see women driving buses and thought, ‘They’re so brave,’” Mayulis recalled. “Then I started getting motivated. I like driving, I like working with kids, and this job focuses on school routes.”

Just weeks into her new role, she already believes the effort was worth it. Determined to succeed, she studied hard to earn her Class D license and the mandatory Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP)—graduating at the top of her class.

The training is rigorous: 250 hours covering technical knowledge and personal development. “It’s two textbooks, three exams, about 20 topics—you have to study a lot,” she explained.

Overall, the initiative helps companies prepare for generational shifts in a growing sector. For Mayulis, the reward is clear: “I feel happy and fulfilled because I haven’t wasted my time. You have to work hard and fight for what you want. Every day, you need to do something toward that goal.”

The Cuban Exodus to Spain: Migration in Numbers

Mayulis’s story mirrors that of thousands of Cubans who have had to redefine their professional lives in Spain. Between 2023 and 2024, an estimated 62,800 Cubans arrived in the country, averaging 3,000 newcomers per month, according to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Most arrive on tourist or student visas, or through citizenship granted by Spain’s Democratic Memory Law, which allows descendants of Spanish nationals to reclaim their heritage.

Interestingly, the number of Cuban students in Spain dropped in 2024. As of mid-year, just 1,539 Cubans held active student permits—a figure that includes both students and qualifying family members, as detailed in a report by elTOQUE.

Altogether, Spain is now home to an estimated 257,432 Cubans, when combining data from the past two years. This migration trend carries not only demographic weight but also economic and cultural impact, enriching Spain’s diversity while posing new challenges for integration and policy.

Murcia: An Emerging Destination for Cuban Migrants?

Murcia has seen a significant rise in its immigrant population in recent years. At the start of 2023, there were 289,539 foreign-born residents, making up 18.66% of the region’s total population. Much of that growth stems from Latin American migrants seeking new opportunities.

As of January 2022, Murcia was home to 1,093 Cubans—586 women and 507 men. With a total regional population of over 1.5 million, Cubans made up less than 0.1%. Nearby provinces show varied numbers: Albacete had 206 Cubans, Alicante nearly 3,000, and Almería 345.

While smaller than major hubs like Madrid or Barcelona, Murcia offers meaningful integration programs. One standout: the Bus Driver Training School led by Cáritas and FROET, which provides instruction and covers the cost of obtaining a commercial license. The program opens the door to new employment for those in precarious situations.

Thanks to that initiative, Mayulis is now steering her life in a new direction—quite literally—as she navigates the roads of Murcia. Her journey speaks to the broader Cuban migration experience: marked by resilience, driven by hope, and woven into the evolving human fabric of contemporary Spain.

Between two countries, Cubans like Mayulis aren’t just crossing borders—they’re rewriting the narratives of their lives, grounded in a desire for freedom and a future built on dignity.