Student review [#89622] for Architecture
at Universidad Central de Venezuela - UCV

My time at the Central University of Venezuela was marked by constant social, economic, and—at times—academic turmoil. It’s the oldest academic institution in the country, with over 300 years of history, and as such, it’s deeply woven into Venezuela’s political and social fabric. This makes it a unique place where debates about the state of the country and the world take place daily.

I became part of the student movement, and through this, I became aware of the constant economic struggles that professors were facing. The state-assigned budget for the university had stagnated in the midst of a hyperinflationary economy. This led to professors quitting or finding themselves in extremely vulnerable situations. It pushed me to take action and become part of the solution through student-led initiatives and activities.

Unfortunately, this also affected the academic side of my experience. With fewer professors—and many of those remaining facing serious challenges—our school’s curriculum (and that of most faculties) began to fall behind international standards. Still, the professors who stayed made a tremendous effort to keep up with new research and continuously encouraged us to be proactive, to innovate, and to not settle for the outdated curriculum that was still in place.

At the Central University of Venezuela, you’ll always find students committed to a better future for the university, the country, and the world; professors who push the boundaries of higher education; and above all, an institution that refuses to be crushed by the challenges it faces.

My time there meant overcoming all kinds of odds—student and professor strikes, budget crises, closed dining halls, protests, understaffing, among others—but without a doubt, I wouldn’t change any of it.