Gratitude, Growth and Quiet Resilience: Nicholas Juay’s SMU Journey as a Beneficiary of Donor-Supported Scholarships

“I carry your kindness with me and hope, in time, to pay it forward by supporting others as you have supported me.” 

Nicholas Juay’s journey at SMU has been one defined by a quiet strength, incredible resilience, a growing sense of purpose, and gratitude to his benefactors. A fourth-year student in Business Management majoring in Finance, he has always found meaning not only in academic pursuit, but in understanding the world beyond the classroom. Particularly, his curiosity about global infrastructures and how societies function within these structures has grown through shared conversations with his friends. 

Having excelled in his academics and maintaining a perfect GPA up to his final year in SMU, Nicholas’ university journey however, is not without hardship. “I come from a single-parent household, navigating the complexities of a critical illness within the family. As the oldest sibling of three, supporting my family amid these uncertainties and rising education costs has become a responsibility I’ve learnt to embrace.” 

Through these uncertainties, his friends, peers, and mentors from SMU were his anchors. Those with prior financial aid experience encouraged Nicholas to apply for a scholarship, enabling him to stay focused on the things he valued most: his growth, education, and fulfilling his responsibilities. 

Receiving the Ryan Tan & Corinne Chow Endowed Scholarship was a significant moment for Nicholas. The scholarship provided much financial stability for Nicholas and served as a powerful reminder that someone believed in his potential, allowing him to focus on building his academic interests and career.  “The Scholarship has had a profound impact on my life, providing practical support and motivation for me to fully engage in my studies and campus life.” he shared. “It was reassuring to know that my academic efforts and performance in my extracurriculars were recognised.”   

Nicholas also did not shy away from the opportunities provided at SMU for global exposure. As someone who sought to expand his worldview, he was thrilled to embark on a semester-long exchange at Pompeu Fabra University in Spain thanks to the support of the Dyanne Kheng Exchange Scholarship, opening yet another transformative chapter for him. 

Experiencing Europe firsthand was both inspiring and eye-opening for Nicholas, especially as someone pursuing a career in infrastructure. “European countries are leaders in renewable energy infrastructure. Spain, for example, had just hit a historic milestone of being fully run on renewable energy for 24 hours, just shortly before I arrived for exchange. I was extremely excited to witness such global progress in infrastructure.”   

His exchange experience was filled with moments that left lasting memories. “Each morning, I would stroll along the veins of cycling paths, before walking under Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf on my way to class. It was a quiet reminder of how history, culture, and modern infrastructure intersect. Evenings were spent sharing meals, laughter, and conversations with friends from across the world, exchanging stories, perspectives, and ideas that challenged my assumptions.”   

Returning with a broader worldview and a deeper respect for diverse perspectives, Nicholas shared how these experiences reshaped him. “Cultivating independence aside, the exchange strengthened my value for education and provided a clearer understanding of the global citizen I aspired to be.”   

Reflecting on his transformative experience, Nicholas shares “I am deeply grateful to my donors, Ryan and Corrine, as well as Mr and Mrs Kheng who have supported me throughout my SMU journey. Their generosity has gone far beyond financial aid, it has given me confidence, perspective, and the freedom to pursue learning with curiosity and purpose.” 

Meeting his donors, Ryan and Corinne, also left a lasting impression and deepened his sense of purpose, inspiring him to one day extend the same kindness to others. As an alumnus, he hopes to provide support to students navigating similar challenges, and remain actively involved in SMU’s alumni community. 

“Because of their support, I was able to chase academic excellence, experience the world, and make huge leaps towards my personal and professional aspirations. I carry your kindness with me and hope, in time, to pay it forward by supporting others as you have supported me.”  

 

Nicholas Juay (BBM 2026), Recipient of the Ryan Tan & Corinne Chow Endowed Scholarship and the Dyanne Kheng Exchange Scholarship