I was born in a small town in Myanmar called Mudon at 2 a.m., and my father named me “Ko Lin” in the hope that I could bring a better life to our family. I am Mon, one of the minority ethnic groups in Myanmar.
My family consists of six members: my mother, my father, my grandmother, my younger sister, my older brother, and me. I grew up with my grandmother in Mudon, and it was a financially difficult time for us.
While we were living in Myanmar, my parents were working in Mae Sot, Thailand, to send money home. Unfortunately, when I was in sixth grade, they could no longer send enough money for us to study and live in Myanmar. As a result, we joined them in Mae Sot.
I remember earning around 100 baht per day selling cakes. I felt proud because I was able to contribute to my family’s income.
Despite these challenges, I did not give up on my education. I read many books in my free time, hoping that one day I could return to school.
Fortunately, my family’s financial situation gradually improved, and my brother and I were able to return to school after one year. However, my parents could not afford to send me to a Thai school, so we attended a migrant learning center called Children’s Development Centre (CDC).
My learning journey has gone through several stages: elementary school, high school, the GED program, and university. I developed a love for school during my seventh and eighth grades at CDC. My teacher introduced new ways of learning mathematics, which quickly became my favorite subject.
My interest in computers began in high school and grew stronger while I was studying at BEAM Education Foundation. I started learning basic computing skills by watching YouTube tutorials. It was not until I began studying Software Engineering at Mae Fah Luang University that I realized how much programmers can impact the world.
About Ko Lin
- Ethnicity: Mon
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Mae Fah Luang University
- Bachelor’s, Software Engineering
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a Software Developer
- Buy a house for my family
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $6,575
- Amount Left To Fund: $5,850
- Contract Duration: 13 years
- Status: In Deferment
I have learned that long-term goals are best achieved by breaking them into short-term steps. My short-term goal is to complete my higher education in the field of technology. My long-term goal is to become a software developer and open a computer training center for my community. I believe the Software Engineering program will provide the skills I need to succeed.
After graduating, I plan to return to Mon State, Myanmar, where I come from. I hope to work with a local NGO to gain experience and apply my knowledge. Later, I plan to pursue a master’s degree before returning again to serve my country. I also want to open a computer training center in Mudon to provide free courses for young people.
Many talented young people in Myanmar want to pursue higher education but lack financial resources. Computer training is expensive, and many students cannot afford to learn even basic skills. I want to use my education to support them and help them achieve their career goals.
An education in Software Engineering at Mae Fah Luang University will strengthen my ability to achieve my goals. I believe MFU will prepare me for future challenges by providing a supportive learning environment, strong networks, and the foundation I need to move forward in my career.
Written by Ko Lin with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Ko Lin
“Many talented young people in Myanmar want to pursue higher education but lack financial resources. Computer training is expensive, and many students cannot afford to learn even basic skills. I want to use my education to support them and help them achieve their career goals.”
