My name is Nay, and I am currently studying Social Science and Sustainable Development at Chiang Mai University. I come from a beautiful town called Taunggyi, in southern Shan State, Myanmar.
I grew up in a rural area near Inle Lake, a mountain-ringed lake known as a tourist destination for its rich culture and beautiful sunrises. I am interested in environmental conservation, social science, political science, the arts, cooking, and hiking. I try to improve myself every day by learning from my surroundings and taking on new challenges, which I believe helps me overcome fear and face problems with confidence.
Dreams matter deeply to those who hold them, and I have believed in the power of dreams since high school. It takes time to find what you are truly passionate about. Growing up in the countryside, I had fewer opportunities than those in the city.
In 2017, however, I discovered an online program that allowed me to connect with youth from urban areas and take a leading role in my own community. I became more open-minded, and I began hosting workshops and discussions on my campus to connect young people and address the unequal opportunities available to rural youth.
After that, I joined the university’s student union to create more opportunities through student development projects. I invited international and local organizations to host workshops, scholarship presentations, skill-development sessions and job opportunity discussions, hoping to bring to our campus the same resources available in cities. Through this work, I built relationships with many organizations and learned directly from educational experts and professionals.
Living surrounded by forests and mountains has always inspired me to protect the environment. I volunteered with environmental conservation organizations to raise awareness about the natural world. The most meaningful of these experiences was participating in the Inle Lake Young Ambassador program, where I contributed to a small research project I helped design.
About Nay
- Age: 26
- Ethnicity: Intha, Shan
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Bachelor’s, Social Science & Sustainable Development
- 4th Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a research professor
- Help improve opportunities in rural Myanmar
- Learn Korean
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $7,025
- Amount Left To Fund: $6,875
- Contract Duration: 13 years
- Status: In School
The research examined the connection between the environment and the livelihoods of people living around the lake, with a focus on floating agriculture, which is the main livelihood of the Intha people. This work helped me understand the importance of social and environmental networks and the human, geographical, and political dimensions of community problems. It gave me the motivation to study social science and the dream of becoming a research professor.
Studying social science at Chiang Mai University is a life-changing opportunity. I previously studied chemistry at Taunggyi University — a subject I chose based on my high school marks rather than my interests. Even so, I spent that time immersed in extracurricular activities, and through them I found what I am truly passionate about, so it was not time wasted. Now I have the chance to begin my academic journey again, with a deeper sense of purpose and a greater responsibility to my parents and my community.
Written by Nay with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Nay
“Now I have the chance to begin my academic journey again, with a deeper sense of purpose and a greater responsibility to my parents and my community.”
