My name is Hein. I completed four years of Mechanical Engineering at KTU in Myanmar but have been unable to continue for the remaining two years due to the instability in the country, which led me to leave university.
My family runs a small business—a retail oil shop—and has supported my education and accommodation costs for a long time. Even when I decided to pause my studies due to the situation in Myanmar, my family did not argue with me. These past years have been difficult for all of us in various ways. Our business struggled, particularly during the COVID-19 recession. Despite these challenges, my family always emphasized the importance of education and did not want me to work.
To support them, I helped in the family business during the day while continuing to study online at night. They want me to have a better career and life than they have had, which I deeply appreciate. Their encouragement made my decision to leave university feel all the more difficult, and I remained unsettled about whether it had been the right choice.
Ultimately, I decided to continue my education in Thailand with scholarship support, as studying there without financial assistance would not have been possible. I received a full tuition scholarship at KMITL but still needed to cover my living expenses. I requested loans from relatives, as my family could not provide additional financial support. Despite earning the scholarship, I felt unsettled due to my financial constraints. The continuously rising exchange rate of the Myanmar kyat relative to the Thai baht has made managing my finances increasingly difficult.
About Hein
- Age: 26
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
- Bachelor’s, Mechanical Engineering
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become an engineer
- Visit Taiwan
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $2,550
- Amount Left To Fund: $2,300
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
I am applying for a Zomia loan to cover my living costs and allow me to focus on my studies without the constant stress of financial worries. Friends and seniors who have benefited from Zomia’s support recommended I apply, noting that the loan terms are manageable and that the organization understands the challenges students like me face.
In summary, I am applying for this loan so I can continue my education without burdening my family with additional stress. I am confident that I will repay the loan as soon as I graduate and secure a job. I promise to strive toward my goals, build a better future for myself and my family, and contribute something meaningful to society.
Written by Hein with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Hein
“I promise to strive toward my goals, build a better future for myself and my family, and contribute something meaningful to society.”
