From International Student to Business Leader: Pedro Saltini’s Keystone Journey
From Brazil to an American university and back home to business leadership 🌎📈 Keystone alum Pedro Saltini chose an American online high school experience to strengthen his English and prepare for college in the United States. After graduating from Keystone, Pedro earned his degree from Ferris State University. Today, he oversees four McDonald’s franchises and two additional businesses in Brazil.
For Pedro Saltini, attending The Keystone School opened a pathway from Brazil to an American university and eventually into business leadership.
Pedro had always been interested in studying in the United States. As an international student, he believed completing an American high school program would help him prepare academically, strengthen his English, and better understand the American education system.
Keystone gave him that opportunity while allowing him to continue learning from Brazil.
“I was very interested in studying in the United States,” Pedro shared. “As an international student, preparing myself through an American high school seemed like a great option.”
During his time at Keystone, Pedro participated in student clubs and built meaningful relationships with the people supporting the program.
He especially remembers Kiser, a Keystone representative in Brazil who remains his friend today.
Pedro also appreciated the connections he developed with his teachers. Even though he was learning online from another country, he felt recognized as an individual.
“I remember feeling like the professors remembered me as a student,” he explained. “That felt great.”
After graduating from Keystone in 2021, Pedro took the next major step toward his goal and enrolled at Ferris State University in the United States.
He studied economics with a concentration in political science and graduated in summer 2025.
Applying to an American college as an international student can involve additional academic, language, and logistical challenges. Pedro credits Keystone with helping him successfully navigate that transition.
“With Keystone, I was able to successfully apply to college as an international student, which can be a challenging thing,” he shared.
The English-language skills he developed through Keystone also became essential during college and in his professional life.
Pedro returned to Brazil and now oversees four McDonald’s franchises along with two additional businesses. English remains part of his day-to-day work, and he considers Keystone one of the main foundations that helped him develop the confidence and communication skills he uses today.
“Keystone was definitely the main pillar that made that possible,” he explained.
His education in economics and political science also prepared him to understand business operations, decision-making, and the larger economic environments in which companies operate.
In the next five years, Pedro hopes to continue expanding his business operations throughout Brazil.
His advice to current students is to participate in the Keystone community and embrace every opportunity that becomes available.
“Get as involved as you can,” Pedro shared. “Don’t miss out on any opportunity.”
Pedro’s journey demonstrates the global possibilities of online education. Through Keystone, he prepared for college in another country, strengthened his English, earned an American university degree, and returned home ready to lead growing businesses.
What began as an international student’s dream has become the foundation for an ambitious professional future.
Photo Caption: Keystone alum Pedro Saltini, Class of 2021, earned a degree in economics and now oversees several businesses in Brazil.
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