A Cuban woman in the United States has taken TikTok by storm with a powerful story of hard work, perseverance, and self-confidence. In her video, Kenia (@keny166) shares how she became an ultrasound technician despite not knowing English upon arriving in the country. Her story has gone viral and has inspired dozens of people to continue fighting for their dreams.
"When I arrived in this country, I came to Miami like every Cuban. I worked at Sadano's earning $6.80 an hour," she begins to recount. The young woman explains that it was thanks to a friend that she decided to study ultrasound, not fully understanding the documents she was signing or how the system worked. She enrolled in a school that cost $22,000, without speaking English, thinking it would be easy because 'the teachers spoke Spanish.'
But reality hit her immediately: “the classes and the exams were in English,” she remembers. It was too late to back out, but she wasn’t alone. At school, she found support from her classmates, especially from a friend who became her inseparable “sister.” Amid laughter, she also shared anecdotes, like when they traveled together to Key West and she didn’t even know how to ask for directions in English: “I asked a man, and he said ‘what?’... to this day, that unfortunate soul still laughs about it.”
Two and a half years later, this Cuban graduated with honors. “I have my little medal for good grades”, she proudly shared. She also obtained licenses in abdomen and fetal echography, after failing and trying again: “I fell, I got back up, and I succeeded.”
His final message was as straightforward as it was moving: "If I could do it with zero English, you can too. I'm not better than you. English is not a limitation. Go for it and learn."
A wave of positive reactions
The responses to the video came quickly. Nurses, technicians, newly arrived immigrants, and people who have yet to take the plunge found a glimmer of hope in Kenya's story.
"Thank you, you made me think. I am a nurse from Cuba and I would love to do something similar here," commented one user. "This video came to me as a blessing," wrote another. "Now this is what being an influencer is all about," added someone else.
Many thanked him for restoring their motivation to keep fighting; others even confessed they were about to give up their studies because of the language. Some of the most notable messages were:
"You are an excellent technician. I say this as a former coworker."
"I needed to hear you. You have no idea how many people you are helping."
"I want to start this year, thank you for inspiring me."
"Blessings, this arrived at the perfect moment."
"This is truly being positively influential."
Kenia responded one by one, with humility and gratitude. “Thank you for your words,” “Amen,” and “You can do it” were some of her most common replies.
Frequently asked questions about Kenya's success story in the United States
How did Kenia manage to graduate with honors in the United States without knowing English?
Kenia graduated with honors by tackling the challenge of the English language with effort and support from friends. Despite not knowing English upon arriving in the United States, she enrolled in a school to study ultrasound. She found assistance from her classmates, and her determination led her to earn her degree, even after facing some setbacks.
What message does Kenia convey to other immigrants with her story?
Kenia's message is clear: "If I could do it with zero English, you can too." She emphasizes that English should not be a barrier to achieving dreams and encourages other immigrants to keep fighting and learn along the way. Her story has inspired many to not give up and seek help when needed.
How has the community reacted to Kenia's story?
The community has responded with a wave of positive reactions and thanks to Kenia. Many TikTok users, including nurses and technicians, have expressed that her story has given them hope and motivation to continue with their studies and careers, despite the language barriers.
What challenges did Kenya face while studying in the United States?
Kenia faced the challenge of studying and taking exams in English without mastering the language. Although she thought it would be easier because of the language the teachers spoke, she found that the classes and exams were in English. However, her resilience and the support of her friends allowed her to overcome these obstacles.
Filed under:
