ONE hundred medical students returned home from Cuba yesterday after successfully studying medicine there for seven years, facilitated by the Governments of Guyana and Cuba as part of an agreement between former Presidents Jagdeo and the elder Castro. Yesterday’s arrival followed that of 99 students who returned from Cuba with certificates in agronomy and engineering.

As on Tuesday, the students were first welcomed back home by  Minister of the Public Service, Dr Jennifer Westford, and later by their parents and other loved ones.

The students told the Guyana Chronicle they all had various thoughts relative to their study in Cuba and what the experience meant to them. One female student said, “It was ok, a bit challenging; and I have overcome all the challenges, and I think that the move by the government to give young people this opportunity is satisfying. And I am now happy to be home (to) serve my country and practise all the things that I have learnt.”

Another said, “It was indeed a wonderful experience, and I do not regret (it). And I learnt more than I expected. I studied general medicine, and the government must be commended, and I also want to thank my parents. It’s wonderful, because a lot of Guyanese cannot afford to study medicine, and the only difference was that it’s another country and culture and you have to learn how to adapt.”

The students’ flight touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport just after 16:30 hrs yesterday.