Seven students were certified as divers

This training program was led by Professor Mauricio Poveda, an expert in the field who holds certifications as an open water diver, advanced diver, rescue diver, and Dave Master. “The goal is for them to have a unique experience, since our core focus is aquatic sports. That's why we organize this activity every semester for eighth-grade students in Fusagasugá who are pursuing their bachelor's degree.”.

They organize themselves and we travel to Santa Marta to take the course, which consists of six dives and formal classes. Afterwards, they must pass the corresponding knowledge exam and obtain the open water diver certificate, which they can show anywhere in the world to practice the sport or pursue other levels.”.

But prior to the trip to the Caribbean, the students had to undergo a training process in a swimming pool. “This is called confined water training, and it was done in the CAD pool. There, they learned about surface and underwater diving, breathing techniques, the use of masks, fins, and snorkels, among other topics. It's worth noting that this process is also part of the core curriculum for the swimming elective.”.

The financial effort each student made was significant. “The certified course cost one million pesos, plus approximately 800,000 pesos for lodging, food, and transportation. It was a six-day, six-immersion program. The most interesting aspect of this whole process is that our future professionals gain a new facet beyond the traditional skills they typically bring to the competitive job market.”.

For student Dana Alejandra Bello Salinas, this experience “was incredible because I was able to discover the ocean through scuba diving thanks to the motivation of Professor Mauricio. I attended the class and the swimming elective, and going to Santa Marta helped me tremendously to overcome my fears regarding handling all the scuba equipment, the correct way to breathe underwater, and the composure one must have to descend eighteen meters. I learned many things.”.

And she was so motivated after the trip that she doesn't want to stop there. "My intention is to continue diving to obtain other certifications until I become a professional. The interesting thing is that we have degrees and the pedagogical tools to teach this beautiful sport. That's something I'd like to do in the future. I'll never forget this experience!".

Meanwhile, for his classmate Johan Sebastián Gómez, a ninth-semester undergraduate student, this diving learning process provided valuable lessons. “For me, it was interesting to learn about this sport, and I would like to learn more about diving. I now have a tourism agency specializing in adventure sports, and I would like to offer this particular activity as an option for future clients.”.

In this way, the University of Cundinamarca trains students under the premise of MEDIT, which speaks of educating a transhuman person, for life, democratic values, civility and freedom, where one moves from an education for doing and work to one for being.

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