Hla Hla Win in Burmese dress with friends

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Unlike most of the Burmese students in the United States, Hla Hla Win pursues for a bachelor degree in education with determination to work for the children in Burma.

Born in a family of civil servants in Rangoon she was brought up under the guidance of her parents who trained her to work hard.

That was the right approach, said her father.

Hla Hla Win has always been an independent girl and her academic achievements are mostly by her own initiative with just a little final support from the family, he explained.

When she finished high school, Hla Hla Win said, she has decided to teach children for she was inspired by her mother who has been a teacher.

Journey to Iowa

There will be a better future for someone who works hard. That's how I train her. I do not limit to a particular wish for her future.   U Tin Htay, Hla Hla's father

She started to work for a private school in Rangoon which later sponsored her to take a pre-collegiate course at a diplomatic school.

At the same time, she took English language courses provided by the British Council in Burma.

After the courses, she applied for admission to a number of universities in the US, mainly because she thought there were better chances for her to get a scholarship.

William Penn University in Iowa offered her a partial scholarship. The rest of her school fees were paid by another scholarship granted by the Open Society Institute.

Student life in the US

Hla Hla Win stays with an American family in Iowa and works part time to cover her living costs.

Burmese people are so good and gracious around old people…she comes over here and visits with me and I really enjoy her.   Aunt Linda, a relative of Hla Hla's host family

In early days, it was difficult for her to adapt to the new environment in America, she said.

Not long after that, she made friends with other students and later she has become the President of the International Club of William Penn University.

Still dressing Burmese costume on cultural days at the university, she said she is longing to come back to her mother land.