My name is Ko Sett. I was born in Myanmar, a country where living standards are often shaped by religion and race. As a child from an ordinary middle-class family, I completed my primary and secondary education at a government school. I assumed my life would be simple, like that of my parents: graduate from a public university, find a steady job, and carry on.
While working as a data analyst intern, I could not contain my desire for a different kind of education and began searching for opportunities. I was admitted to the Pre-Collegiate Program of Yangon (PCP). I still remember my first day. I was nervous and full of excitement at the joy of being in a class again. Even though it was online, my feet felt cold when my teacher asked us to introduce ourselves. I spoke with a trembling voice.
After class, I sat in front of my computer for several minutes, questioning how I would complete this 16-month intensive program. The challenges flooded my mind: communicating with teachers from other countries, reading and submitting assignments in English, a language I had never used as my primary medium of instruction. Only the thought “I cannot do it” lingered.
I tried to do my assignments well, but lacked the confidence to believe I could see it through. Then I finished Term 1, and felt like I had conquered something within myself. I gained confidence and began to think, “I can do my best.” I learned to accept that we cannot be perfect, and to keep moving forward.
PCP changed my view of the world. Through discussion-based learning, I discovered the value of listening and sharing opinions, of seeing both sides of an issue, like a coin. I try not to be biased, and to understand perspectives different from my own.
About Ko Sett
- Age: 23
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- CMKL University
- Bachelor’s, Artificial Intelligence & Computer Engineering
- 2nd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a university lecturer and researcher
- Visit and explore mountain areas
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $5,025
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,950
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In School
I will never forget my Gender Studies class. Reading about gender opened my eyes to misconceptions I had absorbed without question. In Myanmar, patriarchy shapes even small daily habits. Many people believe men and women should not share the same soap to wash their clothes. I gave up that practice after taking Gender Studies, having come to believe that men and women are equal. This class taught me the importance of diversity and helped me see that the world is beautiful precisely because of its differences in race, gender, and sexuality. We all have unique values and should not judge others.
The confidence PCP gave me has shaped me into a student ready for university. I now face challenges with the same determined spirit that carried me through this transformative program. Where I once thought “I cannot do it,” I now say with conviction: “I can.”
Written by Ko Sett with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Ko Sett
“PCP changed my view of the world. The world is beautiful precisely because of its differences in race, gender, and sexuality. We all have unique values and should not judge others.”
Myo Kyaw Thu – Smart Power Myanmar / Pact Inc.
“Ko Sett embodies resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. His unwavering commitment to self-improvement and community betterment serves as a beacon of inspiration for us all.”