By Cristina Serna
Felipe de Jesús Aceves Delgado is from San Miguel de Allende. He is passionate about the history and culture of his city, particularly sacred art and religious architecture. De Jesús recently graduated with his degree in Tourism Management and Development from the Technological University of San Miguel de Allende (UTSMA). Currently, he works as a certified tour guide, specializing in the historical Chichimeca route. He offers cultural and historical tours of the city. Cristina Serna found a moment in his busy schedule to talk about his achievements.
Can you introduce yourself?
I’m originally from the city of San Miguel, the municipal seat. I live in Colonia Allende. I grew up with a single mother, who works as a kitchen assistant. I am an only child.
Are you the first in your family to study at university?
My grandparents and my uncles (my mother’s brothers) didn’t even have the opportunity to finish elementary school. So yes, I am the first generation in my family to go to college. My mom was only able to complete elementary school.
How do you feel about being the first in your family to study at university?
From the moment I was finishing secondary school, for my mother, I was already a source of pride because she did not go to secondary school. And as I went on, finishing high school and then college, my mom was more and more proud. It got to the point where I saw studying as something common, but then I realized that if my mom was so proud, well, I should be too.
Do many people in your Colonia finish their studies?
In my Colonia (Allende), it should be noted that because we are within the municipal seat, it’s more feasible for my friends, neighbors, and acquaintances to have access to a school. Most of my neighbors have finished high school. Some have finished college, but the number is lower compared to high school.
What inspired you to study tourism?
At first, I studied sales at the CECYTE preparatoria (high school). Social relations was the subject that I liked the most, as well as the topics of history and culture. Ever since I was little, my grandmother would always put on the radio, and I found myself listening to the San Miguel historian (Cronista) and I began to be interested in the local histories the historian talked about. I began to develop a curiosity, which helped me deepen my knowledge about the history of the city. Taking into account the labor field in San Miguel, I decided to study tourism.
How has the Biblioteca scholarship helped you?
I was fortunate to receive the Biblioteca scholarship since high school. In other words, I had the scholarship support my entire time in high school. When I went to university, I continued to receive the scholarship. The requirement was to keep excellent grades, and I tried to obtain those high grades so that I could continue to have the scholarship. I had approximately seven years of support from the scholarship.
What would have it been like without the scholarship?
It would have been very difficult, in the family sphere, in the personal sphere, and also in the school sphere. I think that for me, the high school stage was the most difficult stage financially. And speaking personally and regarding family, because it is a moment of transition—of ideas, of time, of finances, and of movement because school was not further away. So all these issues were what became difficult for me and the Biblioteca scholarship was a relief.
Has the scholarship helped you in your business?
I think the Biblioteca gave me the most important tool I have to allow me to work today. And that tool was school, or university.
I am currently working on my own as a tour guide, so not only did I finish my university, but fortunately, today I have an income as a result of my university knowledge and my love for the history of San Miguel de Allende.
The Scholarship Program of the Biblioteca Publica, A.C., allows students to better plan their future, to focus on their studies, and achieve their goals in the medium and long term. Just like the majority of our students, de Jesús received his scholarship all along his school curriculum, from high school to university. Now he enters his professional life with a specialized degree that allows him to remain in his community, to make a living from his passion, and to earn an income. His success at school and his professional achievements are a great example of what can be done by investing in education. Just like de Jesús, 100 students in high school and university receive our annual scholarship. These students are highly motivated and couldn’t afford education without the scholarship. If you too want to help a student with a full-year scholarship, you can do so by visiting our website, (www.labibliotecapublica.org) and clicking on the Student Scholarships section. You will also be able to see a video portrait of Felipe de Jesús Aceves Delgado.
*Cristina Serna is the Coordinator of the Scholarship Program
