Monica Nicol de los Angeles Andia Basaldua

When Monica discovered Indigo Research's Global Entrepreneurship program, she saw an opportunity to formalize her passion and strengthen her profile for her dream school, Brown University. However, her initial excitement was mixed with apprehension. "At first I was scared a little bit, cause I thought I wasn't good enough," she admits. As a non-native English speaker, she worried about understanding complex business terminology and keeping pace with the intensive lectures.

Breaking Through Academic Barriers

Those fears quickly dissolved once Monica met her mentor, Dr. Jester. "She was like the kindest teacher I have ever had in my whole life," Monica says, noting how different the teaching methodology was from her experience in Latin America. The small class size of fewer than ten students allowed for meaningful interaction and created what Monica describes as a "research community" where students could "share ideas" and "work in pairs."

Dr. Jester's approach went beyond traditional textbook learning. "Because of the experience of Dr. Jester, she was able to share with us her own experiences," Monica explains. "I think that's a high, valuable tool for us to gain business ideas." The professor's real world expertise, particularly in analyzing real estate cases, gave Monica insights into "how it looks like to run a business" and "what challenges we can have there."

The program's structure proved transformative for Monica's academic development. She learned fundamental research skills she had never encountered before, including "how to write on a paper versus a review paper." This foundational knowledge, combined with the ability to "read it again and again through the slides Indigo offers," gave her the theoretical framework she needed to excel.

The Scholarship Achievement

Monica's dedication paid off when she received news that left her speechless: she had earned a scholarship for her exceptional work. "When I read the email you sent, I was like, I couldn't believe that I have won the scholarship," she recalls. The recognition validated not only her research abilities but also her growth as a student researcher despite the language barriers she initially feared.

Her biggest achievement wasn't just the scholarship itself, but the research project she completed. "The feeling that you have when you finish it after that hours of work, it's like I did it," Monica says. "Especially as a non-English speaker, you can identify how is your path going and how you evolve." The program connected her with fellow students from diverse backgrounds, including another Peruvian student, creating a global network of young researchers.

The Indigo Research team's support extended beyond the classroom. When Monica missed a lecture and reached out for help, she found that "the whole team was always answering emails very early." This level of responsiveness and care reinforced her confidence in the program's commitment to student success.

Monica's experience demonstrates how world-class mentorship combined with rigorous academic structure can unlock potential in ambitious students. Her journey from a convenience store in Peru to conducting advanced entrepreneurship research with professors from top global universities illustrates the transformative power of early research exposure. As she prepares for university applications next year, Monica carries with her not just enhanced academic credentials but the confidence and analytical skills that will serve her throughout her academic career and beyond.