A Childhood Surrounded by Cultures
Growing up in Miami meant I was never far from a mix of languages, foods, and traditions. My neighborhood in Little Havana was full of Cuban culture, but just a few blocks away I could find Haitian, Colombian, Venezuelan, or Jamaican communities. The city felt like a mosaic, each piece unique but all connected.
As a kid, I didn’t think of this as “diversity.” It was simply life. Friends at school spoke different languages at home, and weekend gatherings often included dishes I had never tasted before. That exposure taught me early on that people express themselves in many ways, and all of it adds to the richness of life.
Lessons From My Parents’ Shop
My parents were small business owners in Little Havana, and their shop became my classroom in hospitality. Customers walked in with different accents, different ways of expressing themselves, and sometimes different expectations. My parents treated them all with the same warmth. They understood that respect and kindness translate into every language.
Watching them taught me that hospitality is not just about selling something. It is about creating an experience that makes someone feel valued. This lesson became the foundation of my career in tourism.
Living in a Global City
Miami is often called the gateway to the Americas, and it truly lives up to that name. The airport connects to destinations across Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Cruise ships line the port, carrying travelers from all over the world. Growing up in this environment gave me a front-row seat to international tourism before I even realized what that meant.
The constant movement of people in and out of the city showed me how travel shapes lives. Families came to Miami to visit relatives, business travelers stayed in hotels near downtown, and tourists filled the beaches. Watching that flow of people taught me that the world is always in motion and that Miami was part of a larger global story.
The Role of Language
Language has always fascinated me. In Miami, it is common to hear Spanish, English, and Creole in the same day. Sometimes you even hear all three in the same conversation. Growing up bilingual made me more comfortable crossing cultural lines, and it gave me the confidence to approach people who might not share my first language.
In tourism, that ability has been invaluable. Even if I don’t speak every language fluently, I know how to bridge gaps. A smile, a gesture, or a few words of effort can make someone feel welcome. Miami taught me that communication is more than vocabulary. It is about intention.
Food as a Cultural Teacher
Food was another way Miami prepared me for a career in international tourism. I could walk down Calle Ocho and find Cuban sandwiches and pastelitos, then head to another part of town for Haitian griot, Colombian arepas, or Jamaican patties. Each dish carried a story about where it came from.
Learning to appreciate different cuisines made me curious about the traditions behind them. That curiosity carried over into my work on cruise ships, where guests share food stories from around the world. I already knew that food is more than sustenance. It is identity and pride, and sharing it is an invitation into someone’s culture.
Embracing Diversity as Strength
One of the greatest lessons Miami gave me was that diversity is not a challenge to overcome. It is a strength to embrace. Seeing so many communities side by side showed me that differences do not divide us unless we let them. Instead, they can become the foundation for connection and learning.
In tourism, where guests and crew come from all over the world, this perspective has been essential. I approach every interaction with curiosity and respect, just as I learned to do at home.
Preparing for a Career at Sea
When I first stepped onto a cruise ship to begin my career, I was not intimidated by the international environment. In many ways, it felt familiar. The blend of languages, the mix of traditions, and the constant movement of people reminded me of Miami.
The diversity that surrounded me growing up gave me the tools to thrive in this setting. I already understood how to listen, adapt, and connect across cultures. That background helped me succeed in international tourism because I could make guests feel at home, no matter where they came from.
The Value of Cultural Curiosity
Curiosity has been one of the most valuable skills I brought into my career. Miami planted that seed by exposing me to so many cultures early on. I learned that asking questions with genuine interest builds bridges. People want to share their traditions when they know you respect them.
On board, I use this curiosity to connect with guests. Whether it is asking about a holiday, learning how to say hello in their language, or joining in a cultural celebration, those small acts create lasting connections.
Gratitude for My Roots
Looking back, I realize how much I owe to Miami. It gave me a home filled with music, food, and warmth. It gave me parents who showed me the meaning of hospitality. It gave me friends who represented cultures from around the world. And it gave me the confidence to step into a career in international tourism with an open heart.
Whenever I welcome travelers on board, I carry Miami with me. The lessons from my city guide how I interact with others and remind me that diversity is a gift, not an obstacle.
Carrying Miami Forward
Today, I see my career as an extension of the environment I grew up in. Just as Miami is a crossroads for cultures, cruise ships are meeting places for people from all walks of life. My job is to honor those connections, celebrate the differences, and find the common ground that makes us all feel at home.
Miami prepared me for this work by showing me every day what it looks like when cultures come together. It gave me the mindset to not only work in international tourism but to thrive in it. For that, I will always be grateful.