Well, before working at Corazón Cuba, I worked in a primary school teaching children from 6 to 12 years old. I started there at age 18 and, at the same time, I studied the Bachelor of Foreign Languages. Then I was working as an official of the (UJC) Young Communist Union for one year. Then I experienced working in a souvenir shop where I met many people from different countries until I started working for Corazón Cuba 4 years ago.
What is your favorite travel memory?
During my time working for Corazón Cuba, I have had very good experiences for my life both personally and professionally.
My best trip was a year ago when I made a vacation trip with friends through the center and west of Cuba. We drove through different cities of the country to enjoy and live many experiences such as watching the sunrise on the beach, going to the waterfall in Topes de Collantes, swimming in the natural pool of Playa Girón in Caleta Buena. The disco caves and walking through the historic center in Trinidad were among many highlights.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
In my time working in Corazón Cuba, I have felt very happy and satisfied here since here I have had the opportunity to learn from different cultures, stories, and traditions of different countries. I have learned to socialize a little more and know how to handle the different personalities of people and how to fit into them.
I also feel useful when clients need my help and I can satisfy their curiosities and needs and doubts about my country. I feel I have developed into a more enterprising, hospitable and sociable person.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
I have heard many stories and anecdotes from clients who have come here but what I like most is that everyone feels like Cuba is their home. They say that Cubans are very sociable and friendly. That we like to talk with tourists and feel confident. We are a very different and very open culture, but they also like that Havana is like a living museum as if we had stalled in the 50s. Old cars, the old city with colonial architecture, people on the street and Music everywhere.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
Wow - there's quite a lot to choose from.
The four weeks Learn Spanish, Dance & Culture is the most popular thing we do... but the Learn Spanish, Culture & Adventure program includes a week in Viñales, which is pretty special.
If you can 'only' come for two weeks and what to spend time with Cuban's in their home environment then, why not our Learn Spanish & Volunteer program?
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
I feel super good working for Corazón Cuba because it feels like a family. We are all one and try to make customers feel at home. I have worked here for almost 5 years where I have shared many experiences and social events with clients. That is one of the features that I like most about my job. We love what we do!
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I think that, in order to be a successful company, many factors are necessary, but I think it is very important to have a team to accompany you in your work that shares the same ideas and can work to achieve it.
It is very important to succeed to work hard on whatever you want, be curious and have a team of positive and open-minded people who like to explore and create or experience new things. Recognize mistakes and try to fix it, not criticize what is wrong, but look for the best solutions and be open-minded.
