Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Francis Gallardo Enrique

Francis Gallardo Enrique

I chose my major because … I believe NIU offers one of the best M.B.A. programs around.

My favorite class or professor at NIU is … Marketing Management with Tim Aurand. It's where I got my first “A” grade at NIU, so that makes it all the more memorable.

My favorite thing to do on campus is … take leisurely walks around Altgeld Hall. The building's medieval castle look is so magical. It gives me a feeling that I'm walking in a fairy tale land where hopes and dreams come true.

Outside of the classroom, my favorite thing at NIU that really enhances my experience here is … being connected to the Internet 24/7. I usually go to the Holmes Student Center, plug in my laptop and do my thing. As a foreign student, I highly value keeping in touch with my family and friends in the Philippines.

When I have free time, I like to … solve sudoku puzzles, watch movies and hang out with my aunt, uncle and cousin in Chicago.

One thing I wish I knew about actual college life before I got here is … the presence of the Filipino community in DeKalb. With the help of the International Student and Faculty Office and a Fulbright Teaching Assistant in the Foreign Languages Department, I'm hooked up now with Tagalog-speaking Filipinos more than ever.

One positive thing I have learned about myself since coming to NIU is … that I'm willing to sacrifice the comfort of home in order to learn bigger things in life.

If I was guaranteed success, I would … explore working for the United Nations.

After graduation, I plan to … have a break and travel to some foreign place such as Italy. This will give me time to unwind and think of the future. Eventually, I intend to build up my own resources and investments for a non-profit organization that focuses on providing education for the poor.

The one NIU experience I will always remember will be … immersing myself in a society of diverse cultural backgrounds. It opened doors for me to think big and expand my horizons.

NIYou

Area of study: Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Graduation Date: December 2008

Other Degrees: B.S. in Commerce, San Beda College

Hometown: Quezon City, Philippines

High School: Lourdes School of Quezon City

Current Employment:

  • Student Worker, International Training Office
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Southeast Asian Studies

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