Ana Loayza, 32, obtained a
Master in Architecture II (MArch II) from Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where she graduated with honors.
She applied for admission at this U.S.-based university three times and —after years of perseverance— she achieved her dream thanks to the Bicentennial Generation Scholarship granted by Pronabec. She now longs to be able to share her knowledge in Peru.
Studying at the prestigious Harvard University is a dream that many hope to achieve, although —in the case of Ana Loayza— this is already an accomplished goal.
The recent MArch II graduate had to persevere and try over and over again to achieve her goal.
In 2011, she graduated from Lima-based Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC) as the best student in her class.
Afterwards, she wanted to open her own studio, but she got an opportunity to work with Jean Nouvel, a renowned French architect and
2008 Pritzker Prize winner.
After the project was completed, Loayza worked at some associated offices, and then she decided to become independent and explore her own interests. She provided design consultancy services to private clients, companies, and NGOs.
In 2015, she took up a post as professor at UPC and, after four years, she set out to fulfill one of her dreams once and for all.
Harvard University
"It was a long process," Loayza said, referring to her first frustrated application in 2016. She admitted that she did not feel ready, but she had to take risks. Her second attempt was in 2017, but she did not achieve the goal, although she did not give up.
In 2019, despite she had embarked on her own research that took her to South Africa, she decided to apply for admission again. Two months later, the acceptance letter arrived.
New approaches
She moved to the United States to pursue the Master of Architecture II. Studying at Harvard changed Loayza's life and the talent of her classmates provided her with new approaches.
"I didn't expect it. I thought that the chances were minimal considering that there were such talented people here," she confessed.
(END) NJC/RES/RMB
Published: 7/1/2021