Alumni Stories

In October 2023, USFUVG hosted a cocktail at the Organization of American States in Washington DC. Over 130 guests attended, experiencing the moving remarks of UVG graduate Estuardo Bocel. Estuardo was raised in Sololá, a town overlooking Lake Atitlán. His family is Kakchiquel, one of the Indigenous Maya of the Guatemalan highlands He remembers his mother telling him about the importance of education. She attended school only until the 3rd grade, which was more than his father, who never went to school at all. Nonetheless, Estuardo’s dad learned how to write, read, and do basic mathematics, and started his own [...]

Since I was a child, I felt a special attraction to technology. Although I grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of Panajachel, where I still live, what really captured my attention were computers, devices, and everything related to the digital world. Ever since kindergarten, I have been fascinated by everything related to this world, and I knew I wanted to understand more, to learn more. That curiosity stayed with me throughout my childhood and shaped the path I would follow. I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship to study at one of the best schools in Panajachel at [...]

My name is Mónica María Ovando Cordón, and I am a graduate of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Altiplano Campus. I have had the opportunity to experience constant growth in my academic, professional, and personal life. Since I began my studies in Agroforestry, new doors have opened for me. UVG offered me an excellent academic environment that not only provided me with knowledge but also prepared me for the challenges of the professional field. After obtaining my degree as an Agroforestry Technician, I was presented with the opportunity to work while continuing my studies. This initial experience opened many doors [...]

I completed my degree in Information Systems Technology thanks to the scholarship provided by the Fundación Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. Currently, I work as a typist at the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance. The main challenge I faced during my studies was to manage the different technologies that I was learning to structure strategic projects. Additionally, I had to select and optimally use the techniques and tools learned in my different courses to obtain better job opportunities, improve my network of contacts, and receive a better salary. I have fulfilled my goal and an important dream for [...]

I began  the Specialized Teachers in Intercultural Bilingual Elementary Education program in 2004 and completed the Bachelor of Education in 2011 thanks to the El Poder de Uno scholarship.I graduated Summa Cum Laude and am currently the Director of the Faculty of Education in the UVG - Altiplano campus. In 2000, I was selected to study at the Regional Normal Schools, who lead the training of teachers at bilingual schools in Guatemala, thanks to the German PEMBI GTZ Project.  I observed how the headquarters of a former military zone was changed to a higher education center. As a teacher, I [...]

I am the Local Economic Development Component Coordinator at Tzolojya Commonwealth, a non-governmental organization located in Sololá. Thanks to the Paiz Riera and UVG scholarships, I studied and graduated with a Bachelor 's Degree in Tourism Administration from the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala on the Altiplano campus. Despite the fact that the scholarship fully covered the cost of my studies, my main challenge as a student was covering my travel expenses, as well as balancing time for study and work, since the classes were all in-person, on campus. The effort was worth it: the degree and the academic level [...]

Thanks to the Calvin Hughes scholarship, I completed a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems Technology. I applied for the scholarship at the same time as taking my UVG admission exam. While completing my degree, I faced various challenges. I saw them as steps or levels to overcome, because each semester of study brought its own challenges. I had the opportunity to participate in different events hosted by the Guatemalan Chamber of Industry, and together with my colleagues managed to win the competitions. I was also part of various symposiums in favor of saving Lake Atitlán. Studying at the Universidad del [...]