My name is Teresa. I was born and raised in Myanmar, and I am studying Civil Engineering at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Thailand. Getting to where I am in my education hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has made me stronger and more determined.
Since I was young, I have felt that I have a brain with two sides: one side likes numbers and the other likes art. I’m good at Math and I have been interested in illustrations since I first saw my classmate’s landscape drawing in secondary school. I was mesmerized by his drawing.
I have been captivated by buildings since I was a little girl. When I go out and see buildings, I wonder how the architect designed them to look so fantastic. My nerdy side wants to calculate the angles while my artistic side wants to draw them like an artist. Whenever I visit famous ancient places in Myanmar, I see the enchanting architecture and wonder if I can draw them not from the perspective of an artist, but as an architect.
I grew up in a broken family. My father left us when I was 5. My mother sacrificed a lot to raise me and my brother alone, working among men at a time when women were not paid equally. She is strong and independent, and I have always admired her.
I passed my matriculation exam with four distinctions in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology. After graduating, I volunteered as a tutor at my high school and began studying Architecture. The COVID-19 pandemic started during my first semester exams, and when schools closed, political upheaval made continuing my education in Myanmar impossible. Universities closed, opportunities disappeared, and it was a painful time. I had worked hard for my future, yet circumstances beyond my control halted my progress.
During the uncertainty, I worked as a cashier in a restaurant. I learned responsibility, patience, and how to communicate with different kinds of people. After a year, I asked myself what I truly wanted. The answer was clear: continue my education. I quit my job, went home, and began preparing to apply to universities outside of Myanmar. Eventually, I received an offer to study in Thailand, and being able to study again after so many interruptions means a great deal to me.
About Teresa
- Age: 23
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
- Bachelor’s, Civil Engineering
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become a civil engineer
- Travel to Amsterdam
- Buy a house for my mother
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,400
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,400
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
Outside of academics, I enjoy sketching, crocheting, knitting, and reading. These hobbies keep me creative and balanced. I also enjoy learning languages, which I believe helps me understand people and the world more deeply.
Myanmar’s recent earthquake, where many buildings collapsed and lives were lost, reminded me how important safe and strong infrastructure is. Proper engineering can protect communities and reduce damage during disasters. This is one of the reasons I am pursuing civil engineering, so I can help build safer structures in the future.
In the future, I hope to build a career in the construction industry and eventually establish my own construction company, creating buildings that are not only strong and practical but also inspiring and beautiful. I also hope to support my mother, who has sacrificed so much for me, and to give back to my community by sharing knowledge and supporting students along the way.
Written by Teresa with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Teresa
“My nerdy side wants to calculate the angles while my artistic side wants to draw them like an artist.”
