UOC Voices

I confess: I love learning new things. I am a uocker. I decided to study IT at the UOC. The idea had been going round in my head and on more than one occasion, I had recommended the option of university distance learning to my students who were in the final year of secondary school. In the end, I decided to try it for myself to see what it was like. Now, two years later, I am totally settled in the virtual environment and I identify with the work philosophy of the UOC. I have found the teaching quality, academic rigour and study environment that I need in order to combine it with my work and family life. If the UOC did not exist, it would definitely need to be invented.

My dream was to have a diploma in Business Sciences. In reality, I had a part-time contract in a consultancy, I gave private tutoring to primary school students in the evenings and I worked in an ironing workshop for seven hours every Saturday. When I was twenty-one, I lived on my own; my work obligations took over my on-site university time and I could only attend the first two classes. I thought about the situation in detail. I had to find a way to achieve my goal. This was during the nineties. Curious with the breakthrough of new technologies and digital networks, I discovered the UOC: the university that adapts to the different needs of its students. I began enrolling for subjects and passing them with the required dedication. It was my milestone, my project, my dream. There were some mean comments: “but sure you won’t finish till you’re thirty!”; “but if you start at twenty-three, when will you ever finish! It’s the age for finishing studies!” I am thirty years old. Last week I filled out the form to request my diploma qualification. It is one of the best things that I have ever done in my life. And I am addicted to the UOC… It will continue…

A door to the future was opened in my path of life. The diploma meant that I could change jobs and work in the banking sector. I am currently working in a credit union. I am also a writer. I have won two literary awards and I have had three books published: one is a book of short stories and the other two are children’s books. Lately I have been developing this writing angle, and as I also love doing Catalan classes. I am considering doing Catalan Language and Literature through the UOC.