This week marks the sixth month anniversary of Hurricane Maria. Since then the University of Central Florida has seen big increase in students enrolled from Puerto Rico.

  • UCF enrolling hundreds of students from Puerto Rico
  • More than 200 enrolled
  • University officials expect those numbers to increase

The university has enrolled more than 200 students from Puerto Rico for the spring semester and the university has been providing support those students. 

Sophomore at UCF Daniela Valez was in Puerto Rico during Maria.

 “You see all trees falling down around the area of my community they saw roofs blown off, ” said UCF student Daniela Velez.

She was attending the University of Puerto Rico. Valez along with others then came to UCF.  She came to Central Florida with her family when her was dad able to find a job here.

“It’s been a time of change but adjusting to what you had,” said Velez.

The University has offered in state tuition and other resources.

"They are doing great they miss their family," said Cyndia Muniz with UCF Diversity & Inclusion office. "We are doing everything they we can to make sure they are welcomed and appreciate it very much."

That includes Valez, who said UCF has been a great experience. Many students who came to the school are part of the Puerto Rican Student Association.

“To be engaged as possible over here and try to help the people and trying to progress,” said Puerto Rican Student Association President Jose Rivera.

“It feels like home because I have had other people to share my experiences as well,” said Velez.

University officials said they expect the strong enrollment numbers to continue in the future when it comes to Puerto Rican students.