My name is Mio. I am a final-year student at Rangsit University in Thailand, majoring in Information and Communication Technology. My dream is to become a UX/UI Designer, and to gain hands-on experience, I am currently interning at ManeyMoney Company Limited. Behind my academic and career goals lies a deeply personal story—one shaped by tragedy, resilience, and the determination to create a better future.
Six years ago, my life changed forever. My parents were brutally murdered in front of me while we were traveling, just before the start of my school term. Losing both of them at once brought a pain that no words can describe. What made it even harder was the reaction of my relatives. Instead of offering comfort or support, they saw me only as a way to access my parents’ money.
I was left emotionally abandoned at the time I needed love and care the most. It was then that I realized: if I wanted to survive and build a future, I could only rely on myself. Despite this unimaginable loss, I chose to move forward. Using the money my parents had left for me, I promised myself I would complete my education and live a meaningful life in their honor.
I graduated from CAE Private High School in Naypyidaw in 2020. After high school, I studied Japanese and passed the JLPT N4 exam. I worked as an English tutor for young children, and I took part in a 15-day meditation retreat at a renowned center, where I found the strength to face my sorrow with courage instead of fear.
When I entered university, I became an English mentor at Rangsit University International College Language Center, helping Thai and international students improve their listening and speaking skills. I also worked as a movie translator between English, Japanese, and Myanmar, staying productive as a way of processing my grief.
About Mio
- Age: 22
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Rangsit University
- Bachelor’s, Information & Communication Technology
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become an UX/UI designer
- Travel to Japan
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $1,100
- Amount Left To Fund: $975
- Contract Duration: 10 years
- Status: In Deferment
I joined the university dance club and participated in several competitions. I also led a research project titled Mental Health in the Tech Industry Among University Students, choosing the topic because I saw many peers struggling with stress and burnout.
Every experience—teaching children, mentoring students, translating films, performing on stage, leading research—has shaped me into the person I am today. My journey has been filled with hardship, but each struggle has made me stronger, more empathetic, and more determined.
As I prepare to graduate and step into my professional life, my goal is not just to become a UX/UI Designer. I want to become someone my parents would be proud of. And one day, when I am financially secure, I hope to support students who, like me, have faced loss and adversity but continue to dream of a brighter future.
Written by Mio with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Mio
“My story is one of loss, resilience, and hope—and I believe it is only just beginning.”