By Karrie Johnson, student writer, UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Claudia Lozano
- Santa Cruz, Bolivia
- Bachelor of arts in journalism with a print emphasis
- What's next: Obtaining Optional Practical Training authorization, which would allow her to stay in the United States and work for one year, and then finding a job at a newspaper and working in the communications department of a bilingual organization.
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Bill Hoepner |
It's a long way from Claudia Lozano's native Bolivia to west-central Wisconsin, but the international student and print journalism major had little problem making herself at home at UW-Eau Claire.
In her college career she not only maintained good grades (earning membership in the Alpha Lambda Delta and Golden Key honor societies) and adjusted to the cold Wisconsin winters, but she became the president of the Association for International Students and the editorial editor of the student newspaper, The Spectator.
Lozano was born in La Paz, Bolivia, living there until the age of 14, when her family moved to Boston while her father studied at Harvard University. Following his studies, her family moved back to Bolivia, settling in the city of Santa Cruz.
It was through a scholarship program at the Centro Boliviano Americano (American Bolivian Center) that Lozano made her decision to study at UW-Eau Claire. After being accepted into the program, Lozano had to take the SAT and Test of English as a Foreign Language exam which, along with her grades, would determine the U.S. schools to which she would be accepted. The scholarship program takes all of a student's data and, as Lozano states, "auctions you online, and you get responses from at least five universities."
Lozano received a variety of responses from universities in the Midwest, but wrote to UW-Eau Claire, the school her sister was attending.
"I thought since my sister was already here, and she had told me so many nice things about UW-Eau Claire, I thought, 'Why not!,'" Lozano said. "Then we were able to move in together and I know that was the best decision I've ever made. I love UW-Eau Claire, and this campus as well as the community has become my home away from home. It will be hard not to miss my days in Eau Claire."
Lozano said her time at UW-Eau Claire has produced many positive memories that she will take with her as she moves on to the next stage in her life. One such memory is the relationships she's developed with the community of international students on campus.
"All of the international students that I've met here have become my family, and I'm happy to say that I have many brothers and sisters all around the world. I feel blessed, and I know other international students that are graduating in May feel the same way," she said.
Along with all of her hard work and dedication, Lozano credits the support from students and family as a driving force behind her successes: "Without them, the support of my sister and, above all, the support of my parents, I don't think I'd be where I am today."
More on Claudia Lozano
Future plans: Long term, I would like to work for a sports magazine. My dream job would be to work for Tennis Magazine, but they are not offering jobs right now. I would also like to work for ESPN Magazine. I do intend to get my master's degree in one or two years. I applied for four master's degree programs in Spain, so I'm excited to hear back from them by June.
Unique aspects of her UW-Eau Claire experience: When I came here I had the preconceived notion of what the movies show about what college life is like. Mostly it was the same: the campus, the dorms, the classes. What was unique is the way I changed classmates with each of my classes. I was not used to it, and I felt like I wouldn't be able to connect with anyone, but I found out that way I was able to meet more people. Some people were nice and asked about my country and my culture.
What she liked most about her UW-Eau Claire experience: What I liked most about UW-Eau Claire is how classes are big enough, but at the same time they are small enough that you can get almost a personal education. I like how the university also gives us the opportunity to teach about our cultures through the International Folk Fair.
Highlights of life at UW-Eau Claire:
- Having cheese curds for the first time.
- Going to a baseball game.
- Seeing Barack Obama and shaking his hand.
- Homecoming.
- Working at The Spectator.
- Becoming president of the Association for International Students.
Proudest college accomplishments:
- Earning second place from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association for a column I wrote for The Spectator.
- Having a story published on the front page of the Leader-Telegram.
- Being part of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Golden Key honor societies.
- Being the Association of International Students president for two years.
Advice for incoming students:
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Travel abroad, or make friends with the international students here. I thought I had a good idea of cultures when I came here, but I was wrong. I knew the stereotypes and not the real culture, so I advise you to see for yourself, if you really want to learn something. Make the effort to learn it.
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Don't be afraid of change. Chances are you will make many mistakes when you move here, but you learn from them. Don't be afraid to try new things.
Learn about other featured May 2009 graduates
