Universidad Centroamericana (UCA)

Located in Managua, Nicaragua, Central American University – Managua was the first private university in Central America.

It was founded in July 1960 by the Society of Jesus as a non-profit, autonomous educational institution of public service and Christian inspiration. Some of its noted alumni include Daniel Ortega (who didn’t graduate), Daisy Zamora, and Ernesto Leal.

Students can choose undergraduate and postgraduate study within four faculties: Law; Humanities and Communication; Science, Technology, and Environment; Business Economics.

There’s a variety of things students can get involved with, including: academic exchange; university radio; volunteering; sport; culture.

The UCA Language Institute (ULI) offers a variety of programs aimed at the university community (professors, students, administrative and service staff), as well as Nicaraguan society interested in studying languages including English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.

Managua's most famous festival celebrates its patron saint Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Since 2003, the festival Alegria por la Vida (Happiness for Life) Carnaval has been celebrated in Managua at the beginning of March. Every year there’s a different theme, and the event features parades, floats, live music, food and dancing, and the march of the Carnival Queen.