My name is Hsu, and I was born and raised in Dawei, Tanintharyi Region. I come from a family that has always valued education. My parents have worked hard throughout their lives to provide opportunities for me and my brother, and their sacrifices have shaped my determination to pursue higher education.
My father has worked as a small rubber merchant for many years. His work is physically demanding, involving carrying heavy loads, managing drying processes under the sun, and handling daily operations. Even now, at the age of 60, he continues this work despite ongoing back pain and fatigue. My mother was a senior nurse at Dawei General Hospital before retiring. My brother had to pause his engineering studies at Dawei Technological University due to the situation in Myanmar and is now seeking work in Thailand.
Growing up, my parents always reminded me that education is the only inheritance they could provide. With that in mind, I have consistently worked hard and sought opportunities to build my future. In 2024, I was accepted into King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) with a full tuition-fee waiver. While this was a significant opportunity, it was also a difficult decision due to the cost of living in Thailand and the financial burden it would place on my family.
Before starting university, I worked full-time in a remote role, which I continued part-time during my first year. Although balancing work and studies was challenging, it allowed me to support my living expenses. However, as my academic schedule became more demanding in my second year, I was no longer able to continue working consistently. Since then, I have relied more on my family’s support, which is not sustainable given our situation.
About Hsu
- Age: 22
- Ethnicity: Tavoyan
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
- Bachelor’s, Engineering Management & Entrepreneurship
- 3rd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Become an engineering consultant
- Visit Bagan
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $2,150
- Amount Left To Fund: $2,150
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
I have been actively seeking part-time opportunities to reduce this burden. I have applied for remote roles and plan to apply for a teaching assistant position at my university’s physics laboratory. If successful, this would help cover part of my expenses while continuing my studies. Despite these efforts, there remains a financial gap that makes it difficult for me to continue my education with stability. This is why I am applying for a Zomia loan. This support would allow me to cover necessary living expenses and focus on my studies, personal development, and career readiness.
My degree in Engineering Management and Entrepreneurship has prepared me to work at the intersection of engineering and business. It allows me to understand technical systems while also thinking about how they can be improved, scaled, and applied in real-world contexts. I am interested in roles where I can analyze problems, propose solutions, and contribute to projects that create efficiency and long-term value. After graduation, I aim to begin my career in roles such as Product Engineer, System Engineer, or Business Strategy Analyst.
In the long term, I hope to grow into positions where I can take on greater responsibility in decision-making, whether in engineering project management or business strategy. With a stable career path and income, I am confident in my ability to meet my financial obligations and repay the loan responsibly. Beyond repayment, I value the opportunity to contribute to a model that supports other students in accessing education.
Written by Hsu with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Hsu
“Growing up, my parents always reminded me that education is the only inheritance they could provide.”