Burmese Society: First Year Representative

When I first arrived in London from Myanmar, it was difficult to find other Burmese students and connect with people who shared the same background and culture. Everything felt new, and I missed the sense of familiarity from back home. However, when I attended the UCL Burmese Society’s volleyball picnic before induction week started, I felt at home as I could speak my language freely and understood the little things about Burmese life. I realized how meaningful it is to have a close-knit community that connects us, especially when we’re far from home.

I’m running for First Year Representative because I want to help create that same sense of belonging for other new students while also helping spread Burmese culture across UCL. I want to contribute to events that showcase our traditions, food, and language, and encourage more students — Burmese and non-Burmese alike — to learn about our culture. As a first-year rep, I’ll also have the chance to be exposed to different divisions within the society, which will allow me to learn more about how the Burmese Society operates and contribute ideas to make our activities even more engaging. I’m also excited to collaborate with Burmese societies from other universities and build a strong, connected network of Burmese students across the UK. Above all, I hope to make everyone feel as welcomed and supported as I did when I joined this society and to ensure that our culture continues to thrive at UCL and beyond.