Faces of NLU: Meet Rebeca Narro Perez
An international alumni describes her “life-changing experience” at Kendall College at NLU and how she was able to open a successful culinary business back home in Mexico.
One of the things we prize most at National Louis University (NLU) is the diversity of our student body. That not only includes students from different racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, but also international students who choose to attend NLU. Rebeca Narro Perez is one student who took advantage of NLU’s partnership with Universidad del Valle de México to attend Kendall College at NLU to earn her B.A. in Culinary Arts.
Rebeca earned a scholarship to study at Kendall College at NLU, which helped cover her tuition and living expenses, and says she enjoyed the diversity and welcoming feeling in Chicago:
“I love the multi-cultural aspect the city has, and how warm the people seem. It made you feel at home. I used to love riding on bicycles along Lake Michigan, the views were just breathtaking.”
At Kendall, Rebeca says her favorite class was Flavor Theory. “It changed the way I perceived the food,” she says. “It gave me a deeper understanding when it comes to combining flavors and aromas to create a great well balanced dish.”
Rebeca gained real-world experience during her internship:
“I did my internship at the Peninsula Hotel. It was a challenging experience, it helped me to forge my character as a professional cook and to become determined and fearless.”
In addition to her internship, Rebeca gained valuable on-the-ground experience in the food service industry. Upon graduation, she took advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT), which is temporary employment offered to F-1 Visa students, allowing them to work in their field of study after they graduate.
“I did my OPT at a restaurant called Five Sixty in Dallas,” Rebeca says. “It sadly closed after the pandemic strike. I learned to be disciplined, hard working, and I increased my knowledge in pastry arts.”
Rebeca says her time studying at Kendall College at NLU “completely changed [her] mindset.”
“It helped me to enhance my knowledge in so many ways, and thanks to this, I was able to have my own business back home and to help in the economic reactivation post pandemic in my city being a source of fair employment,” she says.
After graduating, Rebeca successfully opened her own cafe, Boba, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. She encourages fellow international students to study at NLU, even if it seems daunting at first.
“It was very challenging at first, but at the end of the day it became a life-changing experience for me [...] Just do it, your life will stop being the same after such an amazing experience.”
We are excited that Rebeca is choosing to use her alumni scholarship - 15% off of tuition - to return this Fall to begin earning her MBA at NLU.
Check out all of Kendall College at NLU’s degree and certificate programs. Or you can explore the benefits of studying at NLU as an international student. If you’re unsure, you can always contact an Enrollment Specialist online or by calling (888) 658-8632.
