The CEU Cardenal Herrera University interviews one of its students, Lussamuel Elidieu, who carried out a Master´s Degree in Teacher Training for Secondary School Education, Vocational training and training to teach languages

Lussamuel Elidieu is from Haiti and attended the University CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, where he completed his Master´s Degree in Teacher Training for Secondary School Education, Vocational Training and training to teach languages. His was able to study in Valencia thanks to the grants scheme that was created by the CRUE. The CEU-UCH supported the scheme, offering two of the grants awarded by Spanish universities. A few months after completing his training in Spain, Lussamuel tells us about being back in Haiti, what he believes the future holds for himself and for his country and the memories of his time at the CEU-UCH and at the Colegio San Pablo CEU.

What was the highlight of your time in Valencia? And what was the most difficult part?

There were many positive aspects about my time in Valencia, but the best thing for me was the people, because they have a very welcoming and generous nature and they treated me just like any other student in the classes, so I never felt different. I was also able to understand the classes even though my first language is French. The ´Christitan Life´ Church, whose Minister is called Juan Jose and his wife Ana, also made me feel at home.

The work experience I carried out at the San Pablo CEU College of Moncada was an unforgettable experience. Besides learning a lot about Spanish culture, I learned to use the interview technique with students from the first to the third year of the ESO. I was also very happy to teach the students in French to the fourth year students of the ESO and also to the first and second year A-level students.

I´ve now got a lot of things I can say to help people who have never travelled to Spain. The worst bit about arriving in Valencia was when I got a map of the city so I could go wherever I wanted, because my weakness is geography!

In what way has the training you received at the Cardenal Herrera University helped you?

Training in the CEU has helped me to get in depth knowledge about teaching languages, particularly about teaching English. I also learnt research and evaluation techniques and I can speak a new language, Spanish. I also now know the Spanish educational system. My goal with these studies is to teach in schools in Haiti and contribute to the development my country.

What do you dedicate yourself to now? What is your daily routine in Haiti?

I haven´t been able to find a job yet because Haiti is a strange country that doesn´t offer young people many opportunities to enter into employment, and help build the future of the country. In Haiti, when head teachers see the C.V.s of the most qualified people they automatically think they have no way of finding the money to pay these professionals. Despite this, these professionals are willing to contribute to the development of their country, but are unable to put their skills into practice as the government does not seem to have the desire to make use of them in the smooth running and development of the country, or perhaps it is because it cannot do so.

Still, my day to day life in Haiti is good because I’m with a group of professionals from various professions; doctors, teachers, agronomists, etc…, who belong to an organization that believes in development. So we are working hard for our region, but one day we hope the work of this organization can reach the rest of the country. The name of the organization is ODIBA: Organization for the Comprehensive Development of Bayonnais, which is the region where I was born in Haiti.

Do you think that scholarships like the one you received can help the future of your country?

I cannot thank the CRUE and the CEU Cardenal Herrera University enough, in particular, for the opportunity they gave me. I would have loved to complete the Masters, because it started in October and I could not reach Spain until January, due to a delay in the transfer of my records. I only need 24 CEU credits in order to have the full diploma, because I’ve already written the final draft. With this I could find a good job at the University of Haiti, because it accepts the full Master’s Degree at this academic level.

So, I believe that in the same way that this scholarship helped me, it can also do a lot for the future of my country. Haiti is a small country that experienced a large earthquake, qualified professionals died due to this tragedy and there are not that many in this country. I hope I can find a school where I am able to teach Haitian students and provide them with all the knowledge I gained at the Cardenal Herrera University.

We speak to an Haitian student who carried out her Master´s Degree in specialized nursing Care at CEU Cardenal Herrera University

The CEU Cardenal Herrera University of Valencia took part in a grants programme which was set up by the conference of vice chancellors of Spanish universities or the CRUE, in aid of Haitian Students, after the earthquake that took place in March 2010, completely destroyed a country which was already the poorest in Latin America.  Manoucheka Esteve is one of the two students Haitian students who were admitted in to CEU Cardenal Herrera University, so that they could complete their university studies; she carried out a Master’s Degree in specialized Nursing Care at the university and is now working as the coordinator of a health care centre in Haiti. She talks to us about her experiences at CEU Cardenal Herrera University and what she thinks the future holds for both herself and for Haiti.

What memories do you have of the Cardenal Herrera University? What was the best thing about your time there and what was the worst?

The best thing about my time in Valencia was that there was always someone available to help you, especially Camino and Barbara from the International Relations Office. They were always more than happy to listen to me and to help me; they were like family to me. Although I was far away from home, I had a normal life like any other international student. The worst thing was that in Haiti there was some confusion about my studies and because I was in Spain I couldn´t resolve them the way I would have liked to.

Do you think the training that you carried out at the Cardernal Herrera University was useful despite this? Did it help you to find work in Haiti more easily?

The professional training I received at the Cardenal Herrera University was a great experience for me. It was an excellent opportunity and although I didn´t finish my Master´s Degree, I´ve still gained another qualification and have more experience in my field.  It is difficult for me to say what exactly is going to help me find work because my current job doesn´t actually require any of my specialized nursing skills, but I am looking for a new job with the Diploma I received from the Cardenal Herrera University and I am certain I will be able to find a new job very soon.

What does your job at the Health Centre entail?

I am the nurse who supervises the health centre, this means that; I supervise the assistants, advice patients before their consultations, help to care for patients and to give them their medication, I assist the female patients who are in labour in giving birth, I help to suture wounds, etc… I also have to write a monthly report for the Health Centre.

Do you think that grants like the one you received can help to make a difference to Haiti´s future?

I do, because in Haiti there is a shortage of professionals with Further Degree Qualifications. The problem is that there are not enough universities in Haiti and because of this there are certain specialized areas that people are unable to study at this level. What people say about the importance of education for development is true and if more opportunities like this were opened to Haitians so that they could complete their studies, it would a step in the right direction for Haiti. So I want to take the opportunity once again, to thank the staff and the teachers of the Cardenal Herrera University once again for their support, God bless you all!