From Chef to Professor: How Norberto Found Success with Tuition-Free Education at University of the People

Norberto A. was born in Belize in Central America. After completing his early schooling, he moved to Mexico to pursue a degree in Food and Beverage. During that time Norberto because passionate about food and cooking. He returned to his home country and went on to work as a chef for nine years, including three years as the executive chef for the U.S. Ambassador to Belize.

In 2019, he received an offer to teach at a high school in Belize as a professor of food and nutrition. It was then that he decided to pursue higher education. Norberto began researching universities in Belize, but soon found that the expensive tuition was more than he could afford. He almost gave up, but then Norberto came across a video on YouTube about the tuition-free programs offered at University of the People. This was exactly what Norberto had been searching for, he signed up right away. Having seen first-hand the important connection between health and diet, he decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science.

How has his experience been so far? “It has been the best,” Norberto says. “The professors are very knowledgeable about topics and are always there to help us. They always provide excellent and supportive feedback.”

But Norberto didn’t just choose UoPeople for its excellence and affordability.

“I’m a professor, father, husband, and student,” he says. “I need to perfectly manage my time to attend to my responsibilities at school as a professor, at home with my kids and wife, and at UoPeople as a student.

Through our unique learning model, UoPeople is allowing him to earn his degree, while balancing all of his responsibilities.

In the future, Norberto plans to continue with UoPeople and earn his M.Ed. He is confident that his time at UoPeople will open up more job opportunities and is happy to be making his family proud.