Before coming to Canada to study Hospitality-Hotel and Restaurant Operations at NC, Jasper Lynn Balunan earned a hospitality degree in her native Philippines. 

For more than five years, she explored many roles in the industry: she worked as a hostess/server, a restaurant manager, a sales co-ordinator and even as a sales officer for restaurants, bars, and events.  

But when COVID-19 struck in 2020, Balunan had to switch gears. She started working as an online ESL tutor for Japanese students. It kept her busy, but it didn’t feed her passion. 

“Stuck at home and with all the restrictions present at that time, I realized that hospitality and food and beverage is my true passion,” Balunan said. “I knew I wanted to be back.” 

Balunan, this year’s Dean’s Award winner for the School of Hospitality and Tourism, said it wasn’t easy to study in a new country. In fact, it took a lot of perseverance, courage and discipline. 

“There were so many times when being in school and doing a lot for school became so hard, especially as an international student,” she said. What kept her going was the support of her husband, Jeff, and her family–some of whom will watch Balunan graduate on June 13. 

It’s an achievement that brings her happiness and a sense of fulfillment. 

“This is important to me as it is a step closer to my future career and life goals,” she said. “It is a day to celebrate everyone’s successes. I worked hard for this day to come.” 

What she didn’t expect was to receive the Dean’s Award for having the highest GPA in her program. 

“I always gave everything my best. I did not expect to receive any award, but I am immensely thankful–for the gift of knowledge, for friends and classmates who also worked hard with me throughout the duration of the program, and for the faculty members who have been supportive from the very beginning.” 

What is Balunan up to now? 

In April 2023, Balunan accepted a banquet/event supervisor role at Club Roma in St. Catharines. 

“It is an exciting season for events, and I am ready for it,” she said. “I am [also] working part-time as a server in a breakfast restaurant, which makes both my days and nights busy.” 

She said she’ll continue looking for opportunities to move forward in the industry she loves. 

“I’m hoping I can work my way up in the industry, but for now, I am enjoying the experience and taking in the knowledge that I have been gaining so far. 

“For the future, I am not sure what it holds, but I will continuously try to do my best.” 

Congratulations to Balunan and to all graduating students this week!