After years of studying medicine and engineering in Cuba, 101 Guyanese students returned home yesterday.
A sea of anxious family members anticipating the return of their loved ones flooded the public viewing and the arrivals area of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA) yesterday afternoon.
The flight was scheduled to arrive at the CJIA at 1:30PM but was delayed an hour.
Of the 101 students who returned on the flight, 81 studied medicine and the other 20 studied engineering. When the flight arrived at 2:30PM and the weary students streamed out of the airplane, they were greeted by Reginald Brotherson, Permanent Secretary of Public Service Management under the Ministry of the Presidency, who gave them a warm welcome and congratulated each on their achievement.
“We are here to welcome the 101 students who have completed their studies in Cuba and, of course, on their return we welcome them to the fold. Their return will assist in the development of the country, especially in the priority areas, such as health, environment, mining, and engineering,” Brotherson told Stabroek News yesterday.
He said the students who completed their studies in the engineering field will be immediately placed in different sectors around the country, while the students who completed their studies in medicine will have to complete their final internship year in the country.
Though tempered by exhaustion, there was an air of excitement at the immigration area as the students stood in anticipation to meet their families. While most of the students had visited their homeland during the five years of study, some of them didn’t.
“I’ve been in Cuba for the last six years and I haven’t been back home and I have to say it was indeed a privilege to be in a foreign country studying. I learned a lot and it was an exciting adventure. I feel really relieved to be back here amongst my family and I plan on doing my best for the government and to help the country propel forward,” an excited Sorinda Ramdeen said.
“I’m here today to start our internship and I’m looking forward to helping our society and country have a better future,” Danesh Persaud said.
“We are all excited and we are happy that the five years have come to an end and we have accomplished our goal in Cuba. Now, we’re home and we are excited to use what we’ve learnt,” Casey Dodson, a medical student added.
All of the students expressed their excitement to be home and related that while it was hard work and sheer determination that got them through, the experience will remain for a lifetime. They lauded the two governments for granting them such an opportunity.
As the students slowly moved from the immigration area to the waiting area to greet their families, the smiles, tears, and excitement could not be contained. Parents embraced their children and expressed satisfaction and pride. “I can’t even contain it, it’s been so long and here my baby is coming home, permanently,” one tearful mother said as she embraced her child after five years.
The students will enjoy about three weeks of free time to readjust to the country before they will be all called to a meeting at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, scheduled for August 19, where they are expected to find out where they have been placed.
