Friends from Myanmar

Four students say they came to Laie to be around more members of Church

Coming from the same branch to BYU–Hawaii

Three of the four Myanmar students note how they love BYUH because of the Honor Code and its welcoming atmosphere. Photos by Keyu Xiao

BY CARLENE COOMBS

Four friends from Myanmar said a childhood dream and being around others of the same faith were some of the motivators that led them to BYUH.

They also shared facts about their food and culture from their home country.

Ei Ei Phyu, a sophomore from Myanmar studying finance, said going to Hawaii was always her dream.

“When I was young, I watched a movie. I remembered the place [in the movie] was so pretty, and I asked my auntie ‘Where is that place?” and she said it might be Hawaii. I said I would go to Hawaii one day. When we were young, we were so poor, and she just laughed and said, ‘Okay, you can go there.’

“I always had in mind that Hawaii is the place I’m going to go to. Now, I’m living my dream.”

Phyu shared she is the first in her family to pursue a college degree and was encouraged by her family to come to BYUH.

“Because my parents don’t have the education, they want [my siblings and I] to have a good education and encourage us to study.” Sa Myat Yadanar Shin, a freshman from Myanmar studying biology, said getting to be around those who share the same religious beliefs is what drew her to BYUH.

“In my country, the main religion is Buddhism. Throughout high school, I was the only Christian. Not even just the only Mormon ... .So it’s really hard. I felt lonely.”

All four students knew each other before coming to BYUH because they attended the only Church branch in Myanmar together.

“I was the first sister who came out from Myanmar. Everybody after they served their missions, knew about BYUH, so they wanted to come and study here to enhance their education,” said Phyu.

Eh Htoo Shee, a freshman from Myanmar studying social work, said the Honor Code and welcoming atmosphere is what she enjoys about BYUH.

“Everybody is like a brother or a sister. Unlike other schools, we don’t have bullying. I also like the Honor Code, so everybody has the same standards. That’s why I feel like it’s safe being here.” “I miss the food. If we want to have Asian food [in Hawaii], it’s expensive, and the taste is different,” said Shin.

Lwin said the typical meal in Myanmar contains rice, fish or meat, vegetables and soup, which is very spicy and sour. Salad is also something they eat, added Shin.

“We make salad with onion, garlic, chili, cilantro, a lot of chili. [Our food] is kind of similar to Thai, but honestly, I don’t like the taste [of Thai]. Thai is sweet and spicy. For us, it’s just spicy.”

Shee shared while she enjoys Hawaii and the culture at BYUH, some things were different and surprised her.

Myanmar culture and food and adjusting to Hawaii

Yin Lwin, a sophomore from Myanmar majoring in social work, said the people in Myanmar are typically warm and kind. “We are friendly. We smile at everyone, and whenever someone comes to our house, we feed them.” Phyu shared another trait of Myanmar people is helping those around them. “Normally, people are more independent, and they do things by themselves. But when someone sees something that is needed, they just help.”

Lwin added being respectful of adults and your elders is another part of their culture. “In my country, the culture is that we respect [our elders]. If someone is older than me, we say sister or brother. If we just say [their] name, it’s rude.”

Shee said in Myanmar,“we have many languages there. The main language is Burmese, but we also have many ethnic groups, more than 100.”

According to worldatlas.com, there are nearly 100 languages spoken in Myanmar, with Burmese being the official language.

Lwin and Shin both shared how one thing they missed from their home country was the food. “One main thing, especially islanders, when they talk or laugh, it’s so loud. It shocked me. Even when they greet each other, they shout.

“It’s not annoying, but it shocked me. We don’t do this in my country. If we do this, my parents or older people will say ‘No, don’t do that.’”

Shee added she likes how Hawaiians embrace their culture and share it with others. “I like how [Hawaiians] keep their culture. At the Polynesian Cultural Center, I see that they still keep their culture like their dress, their food, the songs. I admire that.” •