She planned to apply to Northwest University of Political Science and Law in her home city after taking the national college entrance examination in 2009, but changed her mind when she saw information about the Cuban program in a local newspaper.

"My mother is a doctor. She believes it is an honor to be a doctor or a nurse ... Moreover, we don't need to pay tuition, so I finally decided to join the program," Li said.

The Chinese all grew up after the launch of the reform and opening-up policy in 1978. They were shocked when they witnessed the embargoes placed on Cuba by the United States, but all have had heart-warming experiences while studying on the island.

"Although Cubans suffer from a critical shortage of supplies, I am deeply touched by their simple and sincere interpersonal relationships," said Kou, who expects to earn his PhD this year.

"Teachers and local doctors have low salaries, but most of them are devoted to their jobs."

During one day of Kou's six-year internship, he was responsible for health checks and setting up medical records for a new patient.

"The process required lots of time and there was a shortage of disposable sterilized gloves at the time. I asked the director if I could do the work after lunch, since the college canteen was going to stop serving in half an hour," Kou said.

"The director agreed, but when I came back from the canteen, he had already done the job for me, and explained the whole process in detail. Later, I found he had eaten his lunch of rice and soup in the rest room."

When Li arrived in Havana 10 years ago, most daily products, such as eggs, meat and potatoes, could not be traded freely.

"At the very beginning, we used to complain about the food in the canteen. But when we did health screening in local people's homes, we suddenly recognized that the Cuban government had tried its best to provide a quality life for us," Li said. "And most Cubans I have met are very friendly and helpful."