By Michael Veith (Class of ’12)

Underlying any university success is hard work and passion, two things that Claire Jurado has in spades. On top of multiple scholarships, her architectural works were showcased in an exhibition at Creative Macau this past June. On her success, Claire (Class of 2011) responds, “Yes, I am proud, but it was not an easy ride. Every week has a deadline and when you procrastinate, the presentation quality is very poor, thus resulting in a low mark.”  The pressure can make those who can’t take it, drop out or change to another major.

Claire, 
however, continues to persevere with her studies in architecture at the University of Saint Joseph, currently in her third year of a 5-year licentiate degree. “I love my course, the feeling of designing something great that amazes yourself and others around you is priceless. It boosts self-confidence. I take every opportunity I can get and learn more than I expect.”

This attitude has allowed her to find amazing success in and outside of University. Upon entering USJ, she applied for and now receives a CESL Asia scholarship of of MOP 10,000 every year. 
In her second year, Claire entered a non-school related logo competition for SunCity Group in Macau. “I like challenges. I started designing the logo for SunCity and I aimed for something simple, elegant that would best represent their company and fill all the requirements.” Claire took home the second place Creativity Award and a Mop 30,000 scholarship!

This past summer, she completed an internship at Macau Professional Services (MPS) and will continue to do so every summer. She was involved in a lot of large projects happening at once, including the health center in Coloane. Back at USJ, she is “focusing on my smaller goals, trying my best to achieve them one by one, take every opportunity I get, also pay my tuition fees, and see where life will take me.”

Photo: Claire (right) with her Mom, Maria Fe Soguilon (left) at the USJ Architecture Student Exhibition.