My name is Win. I was born and raised in an ordinary small town that was neither modern nor completely outdated.
Since childhood, children around me were taught to focus on one goal: achieving high marks in the matriculation examination, a test we take once in our lifetime. Because of this, I never had the chance to truly learn about myself or discover my passions.
Growing up in Myanmar, where the economy is largely driven by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), I was always curious about how businesses operate and affect people’s lives. This curiosity was shaped by my childhood experience, as my parents often had to change their business due to political instability and limited infrastructure.
In my first year at university, I struggled with both personal challenges and an outdated curriculum that focused heavily on history rather than the present, which affected my academic performance. At that time, I also believed that coming from an underdeveloped region meant I lacked access to opportunities, information, and connections.
However, in my sophomore year, I won first prize with unanimous votes from my peers for a presentation on creating an online-friendly travel application. This idea was inspired by Jack Ma’s vision of a futuristic online marketplace, combined with my interest in the tourism industry.
This experience changed my mindset. I realized that my biggest obstacle was not my background, but my own hesitation to explore my strengths and step outside my comfort zone.
About Win
- Age: 26
- Ethnicity: Burmese
- Country: Myanmar
School & Program
- Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Bachelor’s, Business Administration
- Graduated
Goals & Dreams
- Build a career in education/media marketing
- Launch business-centered, one-stop education services in my hometown
Loan Details
- Loan Amount: $2,800
- Amount Left To Fund: $2,350
- Contract Duration: 11 years
- Status: In Grace Period
After this realization, I began to see things from a different perspective. I learned to accept myself and make use of every opportunity available. I became more willing to take initiative and embrace challenges. In my senior year, I led a research project titled “The Importance of Digital Marketing in the Tourism Industry of Myanmar: In Comparison with Traditional Marketing.” As team leader, I organized tasks, collected data, and guided the project to completion. Despite limited access to data, our research was recognized as one of the best of the year.
Alongside my academic work, I actively participated in extracurricular activities. One of the most meaningful was my involvement in the Tourism Student Development Network (TSDN), where I served as a mentor, teaching English and sharing industry knowledge. I also worked as an intern and later as a communication officer, supporting other students. These experiences strengthened my empathy and my desire to contribute to my community.
I completed internships at three five-star hotels and a Japan–Myanmar joint venture travel agency, which helped me develop adaptability in diverse work environments. After graduation, I secured a position as an assistant to the managing director at a travel agency. These experiences improved my research, communication, and interpersonal skills, while also allowing me to observe different management styles.
These experiences inspired my long-term goal of establishing a business learning center in Myanmar. I want to help equip future entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed and contribute to the country’s development.
With my interests in tourism, marketing, and operations, I applied to the Chinese University of Hong Kong and was fortunate to receive admission along with scholarships. Through global exposure and international internship opportunities, I believe I will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge to pursue my goals. I am excited to begin this challenging yet fulfilling journey with the support of Zomia.
Written by Win with editing assistance from Zomia’s volunteer editors.
Win
“I would like to build a career in education and media marketing. I dream of opening business-centered one-stop education services in my hometown and in other cities.”
