Intergenerational Friendship Bridges 60-Year Gap at University of La Laguna
An 80-year-old student and a 21-year-old classmate at the University of La Laguna are challenging stereotypes by forging a meaningful intergenerational friendship through their shared passion for lifelong learning.
The University of La Laguna (ULL) is currently home to an inspiring intergenerational friendship that defies common stereotypes about university life. As reported by Atlántico Hoy, the Tenerife campus has brought together two unlikely classmates: 21-year-old José Luis Ferrer and 80-year-old Estrella Ortega. Their story highlights the growing importance of lifelong learning, which is proving to be an essential way to keep the mind sharp and stay connected in an aging society.
The two students could not be more different. Ferrer is a top-performing third-year Spanish student, while Ortega is nearing the end of her fifth university degree, having already earned qualifications in Geography, History, Philosophy, and Journalism. Despite their different life stages, they share a similar approach to learning: both prefer deep, analytical reading over simple memorization. Ortega, drawing on years of experience, describes this as "brain gymnastics"—a vital practice to keep the mind active.
For both, university is about more than just earning a diploma. For Ferrer, it is a place to find like-minded people, while for Ortega—a retiree who volunteers in vulnerable communities—the classroom is a space for meaningful conversation. Their shared intellectual curiosity bridges the 60-year age gap, proving that a love for learning can bring people together regardless of their background.
Both students successfully balance their studies with busy personal lives. Ferrer works in the IT sector while maintaining an active social life, and Ortega stays busy with her volunteer work and music criticism. Their experience shows that the university is more than just a place for career training; it is a vital hub for social connection. Ultimately, Ferrer and Ortega prove that curiosity has no age limit, and that higher education is a journey that can enrich a person’s life from start to finish.