My name is Lin Htet. I grew up in Northern Shan State, a conflict-prone area shaped by a long-lasting civil war. I lived with the consequences of conflict from childhood through early adulthood, and it shaped everything: my education, social opportunities, and sense of purpose.
I come from a modest, middle-income family, where I am the middle child. My father is a farmer of seasonal crops and fruits who always stressed the importance of education and taught us to value our own potential. My mother was a government primary school teacher who worked with children from displaced and conflict-affected families. Listening to her stories about the children, I became, almost without realizing it, someone who cares deeply about conflict victims.
Although my family could not provide much financial support, they never failed to offer emotional encouragement. That shaped me into someone self-reliant and determined to pursue my goals on my own terms.
I graduated from No. 5 Education High School in Lashio in 2015, and throughout high school I was active in social and volunteer work, even founding a student welfare association that raised funds for communities in need.
After graduation, my family’s financial situation meant I studied at Lashio University. Though I was not yet sure of my specific interests, I knew I was happiest doing community work. I balanced volunteering with academics well enough to earn Academic Excellence Awards for three consecutive years, and was elected Secretary of my Departmental Student Association.
I worked hard in the classroom with an aim to support my family in the future, even while I had not yet discovered what I was truly passionate about.
About Lin Htet
- Age: 27
- Ethnicity: Burmese, Shan
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chiang Mai University
- Bachelor’s, Social Science & Sustainable Development
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Become a Social Science instructor and researcher
- Travel to Paris
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $9,275
- Amount Left To Fund: $6,100
- Contract Duration: 14 years
- Status: In Grace Period
In my final year, my volunteer focus shifted from campus to community. I worked as a field observer, enumerator, and analyst for civil society organizations in Lashio, gaining a deeper understanding of the pressing social issues facing Northern Shan State. That work lit a spark — I began to see where my academic interests truly lay.
Through those networks and experiences, I had the chance to study Social Science and Research Methodology at Thabyay Education Foundation during the pandemic school closures. That confirmed it: social science and community development were the fields I wanted to pursue. There are no specialized social science bachelor’s degree programs in Myanmar, so I applied to the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Sustainable Development at Chiang Mai University — and I was admitted.
For a young person with a desire to improve his community, this opportunity allows me to pursue my academic passions while also serving others. Beyond my studies, my long-term career goal is to become a social science researcher. I believe that with the right education, the experiences I have gained through years of community work, and the networks I have built, I can contribute meaningfully to addressing the social issues I have witnessed firsthand in Northern Shan State.
Written by Lin Htet with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Lin Htet
“One of my biggest achievements this year was earning a GPA of 4.0 in the first semester and 3.92 in the second semester. Additionally, I secured a part-time position at an international organization, which will help me earn income to support myself during my final year. Overall, I consider the past year to be the peak of my academic journey so far.”