{"id":92837,"date":"2018-12-06T09:00:51","date_gmt":"2018-12-06T14:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=92837"},"modified":"2018-12-07T08:57:37","modified_gmt":"2018-12-07T13:57:37","slug":"graduating-venezuelan-transfer-student-inspired-start-nonprofit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/graduating-venezuelan-transfer-student-inspired-start-nonprofit\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduating Venezuelan Transfer Student Inspired to Start Nonprofit"},"content":{"rendered":"
Nearing the end of any collegiate journey is typically a joyous time for most students. After years of juggling classes, working on projects and studying for exams, the end goal \u2014 a degree and chance at a better future \u2014 is within sight.<\/p>\n
However in 2016, when clinical psycholog<\/a>y major Jennifer Martinez de Pinillos was planning to graduate from Arturo Michelena 海角直播 of Venezuela\u2019s Carabobo State, she instead had to prepare to uproot her entire life and family to a foreign country.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you grow up in a country, you never expect to leave. Because of [circumstances] you have to leave everything, even your dreams.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n de Pinillos, along with her parents and younger brother and sister, are a just a few of the 3 million emigrants from Venezuela who have fled their native country due to worsening economic, social and political conditions. During the past two years, hyperinflation in the nation, which is now estimated to be more than 1 million percent, has made it difficult for citizens to get food, medicine and other essential items. A cup of coffee there now costs 2.5 million bolivars.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you grow up in a country, you never expect to leave. Because of [circumstances] you have to leave everything, even your dreams. I was about to graduate there and I had my plan for life,\u201d de Pinillos says.<\/p>\nFinding New Purpose <\/strong><\/h2>\n