I was born and raised in a typical Burmese family as the only daughter. From a young age, I was expected to become a doctor. My parents encouraged me to focus solely on academics and never considered other paths.
However, I never had a passion for medicine. So, I decided to follow my interests instead and enrolled in a Hospitality program after completing high school. I’ve always loved traveling, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures. I also enrolled in Law at the public university because I believed it would help me conduct business with integrity in the future.
I felt like I was finally on the right path, and it took a lot to convince my parents to support my decision. But that hope was short-lived. We encountered financial difficulties, which forced me to attend two universities at the same time. Eventually, I had to give up studying Hospitality and chose to continue with my Law degree while working full-time to support myself and gain experience.
Life is full of surprises, and I ended up working in the education industry — something I had never imagined for myself. One opportunity led to another, and I began working as a customer service specialist. Over the past six years, I’ve found that I genuinely enjoy helping people, understanding their needs, and finding ways to support them.
About Shun
- Age: 27
- Ethnicity: Burmese, Chinese, Karen, Mon
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Parami University
- Bachelor’s, Philosophy, Politics & Economics
- 4th Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- To become a film maker
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $3,575
- Amount Left To Fund: $3,300
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In School
To expand my skills and exposure, I also volunteered with both international and local youth organizations. These roles taught me how to work in teams, manage people, develop new ideas, and handle finances. More importantly, I met people with similar values and the same drive to make a difference.
However, I could no longer continue at the public university in 2021 when the political crisis in Myanmar began. Still, I remained determined to complete my education — and that’s when I discovered Parami University. The opportunity came at the perfect time. The curriculum aligned with both my experience and my interests, and I believed it would provide me with the practical and academic skills needed to grow further.
It was also during my time at Parami that I discovered my true passion — Communication. I realized how much I enjoyed sharing ideas, storytelling, and engaging with people through different forms of media. This interest only grew stronger, and I eventually transitioned into the media industry, where I currently work. At the university, I also founded the Creative Club, a space for students to express themselves through writing, visuals, and performance.
Through this initiative, I saw firsthand how communication can inspire and connect people. These experiences confirmed that this is the field where I want to grow and make an impact. I want to use my voice and creativity to raise awareness about social issues, especially youth empowerment and education, after graduation.
Throughout my life, I’ve faced many challenges, but I’ve never let them stop me. I’ve learned to adapt and keep going, even when the path is uncertain. This journey has taught me resilience, flexibility, and the true value of education. This is who I am — someone who doesn’t give up. I’m finishing one chapter of my story and getting ready to start the next. I’m excited about the future and ready to keep working toward my goals, no matter how long it takes.
Written by Shun with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Shun
“Throughout my life, I’ve faced many challenges, but I’ve never let them stop me. I’ve learned to adapt and keep going, even when the path is uncertain.”