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Haitians started to come here at the end of 2006, beginning 2007
because of the political crisis and the lack of universities in Haiti.
That's the reason why many Haitians come here to study.
The area where I live in Haiti which is called Fontamara
was plagued by a kind of civil war between 2 neighborhoods
Sauray and Tibwa.
When they're at war they are very violent.
I used to get out of school at 8 pm every night.
I had to cross in-between although I didn't live in any of the neighborhoods.
There is a law school in Cap-Haitian but it's awful, terrible
the way students attend there.
I've been in a public high school for seven years
so I've been through it for seven years, the way it is in public schools
and I would not put myself in it again.
In Haiti it is very hard to access public universities
and private schools are not cheap.
I remember planning to go to a private university
just the subscription fee was about $1000.
I think when you go far from home
you can put yourself more into what you're doing.
When I arrived here I was very surprised
I felt pain too
when I compared my country to such a close country
which is so different.
In Haiti if you tell someone or your parents that you're going to study communication
they won't agree with you because they imagine you as a reporter
who might be killed. Here it's very different.
Being a physician is preventing and curing.
Preventing is not letting the person get sick
curing is taking care of the ill person.
I think that the main reason why many Haitians study medicine
is their parents and the fact that they want to help their country.
Many just come here for the title
and there are some friends I've been studying with
who told me they did not like medicine. They were forced by their parents
who wanted a doctor in the family.
Haitian parents want their children to become doctors
so that they have a better life when they're gone
but you can have a life without being a doctor.
The most important is to do what you can do
something you like.
I'd rather agree with the Dominicans
who say that Haitians have prejudice
because they always lend a hand to us.
And if you go to a classroom you will see the same pattern
Haitians together on one side
as Dominicans even want to learn creole
but Haitians keep pushing them away.
Upfront, the Haitian thinks that the Dominican hates him
that there is a racial problem.
The Dominican also thinks the Haitian hates him.
Sometimes there is a language barrier.
When I first arrived other Haitians told me
the Dominicans did not perceive the Haitians well.
They would think that Haitians are just "things".
The Haitian is not human, he's just good to work in sugar cane fields
or as construction workers.
They did not even know that there were Haitians making high studies.
Our interaction with the "braceros" does not go further
than buying from them a roll of toilet paper because that's what they sell
it does not go further than buying fruits from them
or if we need a handyman in the house we call them
or if we don't feel secure somewhere
and they can protect us...
If you think about the dollards that enter the economy every year
because of us students
it reaches millions.
That money could be so useful to Haiti.
There are problems that must be solved in Haiti
before a young professional could think a comeback.
When I went for a vacation last december my mom told me
although she knows I like Haiti, although she knows I want to come back
to help
but it looks impossible
because of the way things are worsening
I worry about it but I still want to return and help
even if it's in the countryside I want to help Haiti.
It does worth it. I have a project, a dream
and I'm pretty sure in ten years or less
I will fulfill it.