Suo Baozhu: Excellence, ambition, and a dream realised at UM

Suo Baozhu is a student at the University of Macau (UM) whose journey is anything but ordinary. Before returning to university life, she served in the military—rising before dawn, carrying heavy gear, and learning resilience amid the demands of barracks life. Today, as a first-year master’s student in economics, she stands out for all the right reasons: she has taken on a new field of study, earned a straight-A record, and serves on UM’s National Flag Team. It is this rare combination of self-discipline, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility that truly sets her apart.

Suo’s quiet strength is often the first quality people notice about her. Composed and capable, she remains calm yet decisive in both manner and speech. Beneath that composure lies a genuine warmth and humility shaped by her academic pursuits and military service. In conversation, she speaks with sincerity and maintains a steady, confident gaze. When reflecting on the dedication and support that carried her from the barracks to the classroom, her conviction feels natural and unforced. It does not need emphasis—it is simply there.

Resilience in action at UM

At UM, Suo has earned a reputation as a top student. She studied human resources management at a university in the Chinese mainland before switching to economics for her master’s degree at UM. The transition was not easy. Faced with an entirely new and demanding field of study, the expectations of independent research, and an English-language academic environment, she admits she felt overwhelmed at first. Yet she quickly found her footing through a familiar instinct: a refusal to give up. She treated everything—the advanced concepts she had never encountered, the steady stream of English readings, the long hours of independent research—as a new kind of training. And she worked through them, one by one.

That refusal to bend is part of Suo’s inner foundation, shaped during her years in uniform and carried with her long after she left the barracks. She recalls a simple truth from military life: a 100 is a perfect score, but anything below 90 is considered a failure. In that demanding environment, she learned to pay attention to the smallest details—to identify flaws, correct them, and repeat the process until precision became second nature. She learned to focus until distractions faded. At UM, that discipline has taken on a new form. Suo listens carefully in class, attentive to every detail. She approaches dense academic writing not as a barrier, but as a challenge that can be understood with patience and effort. She breaks complex problems into manageable parts. When the material proves difficult, she works through it steadily, sometimes word by word. The results speak for themselves: last semester, she earned a full set of A’s—and, more importantly, gained the confidence that comes from mastering unfamiliar ground.

Among her teammates, Suo is someone others trust instinctively. She believes that when a team shares a common purpose, it becomes stronger than any individual effort. Her leadership style is quiet but precise. She recognises each person’s strengths, assigns tasks thoughtfully, and contributes not as a commander but as a dependable partner, attentive to the needs of the group. She also takes on the less visible work—the small but essential details that keep everything running smoothly. She handles them with care and consistency, without seeking recognition. It is this balance of discipline and openness, strength and humility, that allows her to quickly integrate into UM’s multicultural environment and continue to grow.

A foundation forged in the military

What gives Suo her remarkable resilience and strong sense of teamwork? The answer lies in her two years of military service—a period that became one of the most formative and transformative experiences of her life. Inspired by her uncle, a naval officer, Suo had dreamed of joining the armed forces since childhood. In 2021, at eighteen, while a second-year student majoring in human resources at the Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing, she made the resolute decision to enlist. That choice marked the beginning of her transformation from an ordinary student into an ‘All-Round Elite Soldier’.

Military life was demanding from the outset. When Suo first entered service, her physical performance ranked near the bottom, and she often finished last in the three-kilometre run. Yet she possessed a quiet determination. Motivated by her squad leader’s repeated reminder to ‘strive to become a capable, combat-ready soldier’, Suo persevered through each challenge. Under the scorching summer sun, she practiced push-ups repeatedly to strengthen her arms. During long-distance runs, she pressed on step by step, often without knowledge of the finish line, pushing herself beyond her physical and mental limits.

Suo’s perseverance eventually paid off. Despite an undiagnosed hip injury, she won first place in a three-kilometre race and earned the honorary title of ‘All-Round Elite Soldier’ before completing her service. These experiences not only helped her shed youthful uncertainty but also instilled in her a steadfast will and disciplined resilience. Today, as she continues her academic journey at UM, these qualities remain her greatest strengths, guiding her through every new challenge she encounters.

A new battlefield: From the military to academia

As an only child, Suo has always shared a close bond with her mother. At the same time, her two years of military service taught her the true value of knowledge and personal growth. ‘Solid knowledge and well-rounded abilities are the foundation for serving the country and realising one’s self-worth,’ she says. With that conviction, Suo chose to leave the army after completing her service and returned to campus—ready to embark on a new ‘battlefield’ of learning.

Back at university, Suo demonstrated the same discipline and determination that had carried her through military training. Her academic performance was outstanding: she earned near-perfect scores in every subject, with her lowest mark at 94, and achieved an impressive GPA of 4.2. These accomplishments secured her direct admission to a postgraduate programme at her undergraduate university. However, eager to explore new fields and step beyond her comfort zone, she made the bold decision to pursue a master’s degree in economics at UM. Supported by a scholarship for outstanding mainland students offered by the Macao SAR government, she embraced the challenge of transitioning from the humanities to economics. ‘I hope that by studying economics, I can strengthen my analytical and problem-solving skills and build a stronger foundation in quantitative reasoning,’ Suo explains.

To Suo, Macao represents a unique place where Chinese and Western cultures converge—a city rich in diversity and opportunity. ‘Here, I can experience different cultures and develop cross-cultural communication skills, which are crucial for my future,’ she says. Suo draws inspiration from UM’s international faculty team and academic environment, which encourage her to approach problems from a broader perspective. For her, this journey is not only about academic achievement, but also emphasises continuous self-improvement, global awareness, and the courage to grow beyond her limits.

Carrying patriotism forward

At UM, Suo takes on another distinguished role—a member of the National Flag Team.

For Suo, joining the honour guard is more than a continuation of her military experience; it is a heartfelt expression of devotion and pride. Each time she dons the uniform and stands beneath the national flag, she feels a profound sense of reverence and responsibility—one that no classroom experience can replicate.

Suo holds herself to exceptionally high standards in training, striving for precision and strength in every movement. Her commitment to excellence has earned her the affectionate nickname ‘little teacher’, as she often takes the initiative to guide her teammates and help them refine their form. ‘Training with the honour guard keeps me motivated and reminds me that, wherever I am, I must stay true to my original aspirations and carry my responsibilities with courage,’ she says. On the culturally rich and diverse campus of UM, where East meets West, her deep sense of patriotism stands out even more clearly.

Beyond her ceremonial duties, Suo remains active and engaged in campus life. She enthusiastically participates in a wide range of cultural activities, embracing the university’s unique blend of Chinese and Western influences. She maintains a disciplined routine of running and practising Wing Chun to strengthen both body and mind. In quieter moments, she turns to calligraphy and painting, finding calm and reflection in the flow of brush and ink. Balancing strength with grace, Suo embodies the spirit of perseverance and cultural depth that defines the UM community. As she continues her journey of personal and academic growth, she moves forward with confidence, passion, and purpose.

Reflections and aspirations

Looking back on more than two decades of life, Suo’s eyes reflect quiet confidence. ‘I admire the version of myself who had the courage to join the army and who remained steadfast in my beliefs when facing challenges,’ she says. ‘I am grateful to UM for giving me a platform to grow and for helping me rediscover my aspirations and direction. The hardships I have endured, the effort I have invested, and the principles I have upheld have not been in vain—they have shaped me, step by step, into a better version of myself.’

Since beginning her studies at UM, Suo has gained a clearer vision for her future. After completing her master’s degree, she hopes to pursue a doctoral degree and conduct meaningful economics research—work that advances knowledge while creating real social value. She also aspires to serve at the grassroots level or contribute to society through international organisations, demonstrating the dedication and vitality of Chinese youth on the global stage. Wherever her path leads, she hopes to represent the strength of her generation, use her expertise to give back to society, and remain true to herself as she pursues her dreams.