Exile and professional identity: on going back to Cuba

Area of Science:

• Cultural Identity Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Explores the complexities of forming a unified cultural identity from diverse diaspora backgrounds.
• Examines the influence of sociopolitical factors on immigrant experiences and intergenerational dynamics.
• Investigates the intersection of personal identity development and professional life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To narrate the author's lifelong journey in constructing a coherent cultural identity.
• To analyze the impact of diaspora legacies and immigration experiences on selfhood.
• To understand how historical and political contexts shape identity and professional paths.

Main Methods:

• Autoethnographic narrative.
• Personal reflection on intergenerational conflicts and cultural integration.
• Exploration of the history and politics of psychoanalysis as a catalyst for change.

Main Results:

• Identified significant intergenerational conflicts stemming from the Cuban immigration experience.
• Demonstrated progressive attempts to integrate Cuban identity into a broader sense of self.
• Revealed how understanding psychoanalysis's historical context prompted a return to Cuba and adoption of its social values.

Conclusions:

• Successfully integrated multiple diaspora legacies into a complex cultural identity.
• Achieved greater personal and professional fulfillment by embracing Cuban social values.
• Highlights the transformative power of understanding historical and political influences on identity.