My name is Eint Myat. I was born in Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar but have been living in Thailand for over nine years. I have three other family members: my mother, my father, and a younger brother. My brother is studying in No (1), Basic Education High School, Myawaddy, Myanmar.
We moved to Thailand because of economic and personal challenges, among them a religious issue. My family is Muslim, and in Myanmar, Muslims are very often oppressed. In school, I was sometimes bullied by my classmates, and even teachers made hurtful remarks about Muslims. I attended classes from kindergarten to grade 5 in Yangon. My parents decided to move to Mae Sot, Thailand, just across the Thai-Myanmar border, to escape our situation.
I began grade 6 at Children’s Development Centre (CDC) in Mae Sot. but my parents did not have money to support my education. Still, life was not so bad in other ways. After finishing grade 8 at CDC School, my mother decided I should attend grade 9 in Myawaddy. My parents wanted me to pass the matriculation exam in Myanmar because they thought I could attend a Myanmar university.
In grade 9, I lived in Mae Sot, Thailand, but my school was in Myawaddy, Myanmar. Every day, I crossed the river to go to school. In 2017, I passed the matriculation exam but did not enroll in a Myanmar university. At that time, my teacher taught me English grammar and let me study grade 12 in the Boarding High School for Orphans and Helpless Youth (BHSOH).
Thankfully, I was told about a GED training program and learned that I could attend an international university on scholarship. I sat and passed the entrance exam to prepare for the GED at Bridging Educational Access to Migrants (BEAM) in Chiang Mai.
About Eint Myat
- Age: 24
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Rangsit University
- Bachelor’s, International Business
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a successful businesswoman
- Repay those who have supported my education
- Travel to the Maldives
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $5,975
- Amount Left To Fund: $5,300
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In Grace Period
Soon, I found a donor to support my studies in Chiang Mai. My donor was a volunteer teacher from BHSOH, and I also received a partial scholarship from Mae Tao Clinic to cover my living expenses. With financial support from my teachers, I passed the GED exam in 2019.
Currently, I am studying International Business at Rangsit University with a scholarship that covers half of my tuition. I am actively engaged in various student activities. I am a member of the Collective Social Project (CSP), a student group promoting social betterment. I recently participated in a social awareness project with CSP, planting mangrove trees on the Chaopraya River. I also helped organize and participated in the CSP Annual Debate Competition, in which my team won the first prize. I am a member of the International College Student Union as well.
When I was in Mae Sot, I volunteered as a teacher at CDC School for two months. I taught science, social studies, and art for kindergarten, grade 2, and grade 3. I began volunteering in June and was planning to be there about six months, but I was accepted by Rangsit University with a partial scholarship and am set to begin in August.
Furthermore, I always helped my parents when I was young. During holidays, I folded and cut clothes the whole day. When I sewed, I earned pocket money from my mother. During my high school days, I volunteered to teach primary school students when the teachers had to attend meetings or be somewhere else.
After finishing university, I plan to work at a non-governmental organization in order to help others because I can never forget the difficulties I faced and how others helped me overcome them. After I graduate, I hope to become a successful businesswoman and donate my money to refugees and poor people in my country.
I always do my best in whatever activities I take on, which is why I am now able to continue my university education. After finishing my program, I will do everything I can to repay my parents and everyone else who helped me achieve my goals.
Written by Eint Myat with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Eint Myat
“After finishing university, I plan to work at a non-governmental organization in order to help others because I can never forget the difficulties I faced and how others helped me overcome them.”
