I Won the Ver+ Tech Scholarship
The News
It was the end of the year, festivities everywhere, reuniting with family and friends I love so much. Then, out of nowhere, I received great news: I won the Ver+ Tech Scholarship to study Systems and Computer Engineering, covering 95% of the degree at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín. It felt like winning the lottery.
But it came with a dilemma. I had also been accepted at a renowned university in Barranquilla. I had to choose: stay close to home or take the scholarship at one of the best universities in Colombia, in a city I had always dreamed of living in.
The Decision
As the deadline approached, I realized the Ver+ Tech Scholarship was the best option. Not just because of the financial support, but because of everything the program offered beyond a traditional scholarship. The catch was facing the tough reality of not seeing my friends, family, and partner for a long time.
With a lot of courage and after many difficult conversations, I decided to take the trip to Medellín. Throwing myself into the unknown.
The Process
During the bus ride to what would become my home, I reflected on the application process. It was not easy:
- First stage: Dozens of forms in Spanish and English, plus a video introduction.
- Second stage: A demanding math test. Nerves were running through my body, but my determination was stronger.
- Final stage: An interview with members of the scholarship committee and the university.
At that moment, all I could think about was how lucky I felt to have been selected out of more than 3,000 applicants.
Making Sense of Everything
Suddenly, everything I had done before started to make sense. The projects, my affinity for technology, programming and engineering. All of it had a purpose I did not discover until that moment.
Although adapting to a new city, culture, and climate has been challenging, I am proud to have overcome one of the hardest challenges: getting used to another place without the people who have been in my life since I was a child. And in return, I got to know a great community of scholars and exceptional people.
Where I Am Now
I am currently studying at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, continuing to acquire academic knowledge while deepening my learning in technology on my own. Each challenge has strengthened my ability to adapt and solve problems.
Through these experiences, I have developed greater patience, tolerance, and resilience. But this is just the beginning. There are still contributions to make, problems in our society to fix, and thousands of people to impact positively.
That is why I tell my story: to tell all those people who, like me, dreamed of studying at a great university but did not have the resources, to take the initiative. Only you have the chance to change your future.
This post was originally published on the vélezreyes+ website.