Grandpa went to university to fulfill his dreams: “When I finished the test, I cried”

At 75 years old, Héctor Emiliano Narváez Gálvez, a grandfather who is a parking lot attendant in Coquimbo, Chile, has shown that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. After completing his secondary education this year, he decided to take the Higher Education Access Test (PAES), with a clear objective: to study veterinary medicine and provide better care to the stray dogs he has taken in throughout his life.

Since he was little, Don Héctor has been passionate about knowledge. Although economic limitations kept him from formal education in his youth, his curious spirit led him to learn self-taught. Today he speaks four languages: English, German, Japanese and Spanish, skills he acquired while working and exploring new opportunities. The interview with the man was published by the local media Diario La Región.

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“Unfortunately, due to economic issues for my family it was impossible for me to finish studying humanities, Sixty years ago, poverty was much starker than what we live in these times,” he commented. However, his love for animals and the desire to give them a decent life motivated him to continue his education.

The man wants to be a professional veterinarian

Currently, while taking care of cars at the intersection of Portales and O’Higgins in Coquimbo, he not only earns a living, but also reflects on his most important goal: obtaining a professional degree. Don Héctor showed up at the Gabriela Mistral headquarters in the El Llano sector to take the Language, Mathematics and Science exams. Wearing an impeccable blazer and accompanied by his faithful little dog, who waited patiently for him outside the venue, he faced the test with determination.

“Many people rate you by how you dress, how they see me, I know how to speak a little German and Japanese, and I can also communicate fluently in English,” he proudly told the local media. His language knowledge originated from free courses he attended out of curiosity while he owned a restaurant in La Serena.

Despite his enthusiasm, he acknowledges that technological barriers have been an obstacle: “I don’t know much about these machines, but just as I have managed to learn to take a test as difficult as this one, I know that I will be able to learn to use a computer and a cell phone.”. He is willing to take evening classes to balance work and studies, and he has universities like the Universidad del Alba and Santo Tomás in mind to achieve his dream.

The man cried when presenting his evidence

The road has not been easy, but Héctor has had the support of dedicated teachers who helped him level up his knowledge. Now he is looking forward to his bachelor’s degree ceremony, scheduled for December 17 in the municipality of Coquimbo.

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“That things have turned out for me the way they have up to now is something exciting, even when I took the test I got emotional and cried, “I couldn’t help but shed a few tears,” confesses a moved Héctor. The veteran dreamer trusts that his efforts will bear fruit: “I answered several, I think I can surprise him,” he stated optimistically.

Don Héctor is not an ordinary man because throughout his life he has managed to learn in a self-taught way. Although technology and digital tools are complex for him, he has managed to master up to 4 languages. With his faithful pets by his side and an unwavering faith, this animal lover is ready to transform the lives of dogs in need.

What are PAES tests in Chile?

The Higher Education Access Tests (PAES) in Chile are exams that are used for the admission process to universities. These tests replaced the Transition Test (PDT) in 2022. The PAES assesses various competencies and knowledge of students to determine their readiness for higher education.

The PAES include several tests, such as Reading Literacy, Mathematical Literacy, Science, and History and Social Sciences. The results of these tests are fundamental for admission to Chilean universities and are used together with other selection factors, such as the secondary school grade point average (NEM) and the grade ranking.