A Pakistani student in Cuba

Junaid Alam, 21, of Pakistan and two friends stood nearby. They said the Cuban government gave them — and 997 other Pakistani students — full scholarships to study medicine after an earthquake devastated their town in 2005.

“After the earthquake, Fidel Castro was the first one to offer scholarships,” Alam said. “We are grateful.”

“I would not have been able to become a doctor without this scholarship,” said Waquar Shad, 21, whose father was killed in the disaster.

But not everyone believes in the revolution.

A few blocks from the Habana Libre, Raul Torres, 30, sells necklaces at a crafts market. He said he plans to join the rest of his family in the U.S. soon because he doesn't believe Cuba's economy will improve.

“I'm crazy about leaving,” he said. “I'm ready to work. I'll do anything. But I've got to get out.”

Source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/36958824.html