My name is Su Su. I was born in a very small town called Minbya, located up north in Rakhine State, with a population of less than 150,000. I was raised by my Rakhine ethnic parents: my father, a graduate of Yangon University, and my mother, a housewife.
My brother and I had a simple and enjoyable childhood, living in a nature-rich town, although access to electricity and modern technology, such as television and cars, was limited. After passing my high school exams with distinctions, I spent time as a private tutor, attending English and computer courses, and reading novels. I took the opportunity to live in the bigger city of Sittwe, where our family moved for better educational opportunities.
In 2000, I joined the University of Medical Technology in Yangon. Halfway through my bachelor’s degree, my father passed away, which forced us to endure numerous economic struggles.
After graduation, I began working as a medical representative at a local pharmaceutical company. Later, I was awarded a scholarship to attend the Leadership Development Program in Japan, an ASEAN youth program, where 18 young people from the ASEAN region were trained for two months in Suzuka. Since then, I have longed to pursue a master’s degree, but I have been limited in moving forward as I am responsible for taking care of my mother, who is grieving for her loving spouse.
After returning from Japan, I took a position as an assistant teacher at an international school in Yangon. Teaching has always been my career goal, with the aim of transferring the knowledge I gain to others. I enjoyed being a social studies teacher, teaching primary students about American history. After two years, I was promoted to manage the program, and the school later expanded into a secondary IGCSE institution, accredited by Pearson Edexcel, with a student body of over 200.
After ten years of service in the private sector, I am determined to contribute to not-for-profit work, especially in community development.
About Su Su
- Age: 43
- Ethnicity: Rakhine
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Asian Institute of Technology
- Master’s, Gender & Development Studies
- 2nd Year in Program
Goals & Dreams
- Establish a community school in Rakhine State
- Build a house on a small farm
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $5,275
- Amount Left To Fund: $4,900
- Contract Duration: 12 years
- Status: In School
Meanwhile, I have pursued a Graduate Diploma in Business Management, a Diploma in Human Resource Management from the UK’s Institute of Commercial Management, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Social Work from Yangon University.
My first role at Thabyay Education Foundation was as Program Manager for the Community Leadership and Social Studies (CLASS) program, which trains students from diverse ethnic backgrounds to become agents of change for community development. I was responsible for overseeing program operations, instructional design, student hostel management, and networking by working closely with faculty and local and international partners.
After two years of commitment, I was promoted to Assistant Director of Programs to oversee all Thabyay programs. Mentoring and coaching many youths and serving on the Leadership Team of the organization for four years has made it clear to me that I need strong academic credentials to advance my work and continue leading the organization. However, it has been a challenge for me, as a mother of two, to study abroad while leaving my kids, as I am not comfortable being away from them.
Therefore, I have been looking for distance learning opportunities and, fortunately, I connected with a PhD student at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) who is also a mother. Knowing there is a school for the children of AIT students on campus assured me that I could apply for admission to the university. Thankfully, two of my children are currently living and studying with me in a safe and supportive environment.
At the same time, my salary from a local organization does not cover the high cost of living in Thailand. This has posed a significant financial challenge over the past eight months, so I must look for a student loan provider. Still, I have worked hard to balance multiple responsibilities—work commitments, study, and family care. Proudly, I maintain my academic status with a GPA of 3.5.
I have now completed my first and second semesters and am preparing for my thesis proposal on Women’s Leadership in Community Development. I believe I truly deserve to complete my second year of study and am confident that I will successfully earn my master’s degree with support from Zomia. Last but not least, financial support from Zomia would be immensely beneficial to me as a mother and a woman leader, allowing me to complete my studies without delay or failure.
Written by Su Su with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Su Su
“The financial support from Zomia would be immensely beneficial to me as a mother and a woman leader, allowing me to complete my studies without delay or failure.”
