By BEAM staff

“I feel hopeful for the first time in years. I am not stuck anymore – I am moving forward,” says Shin Thant Tun.

Originally from Monywa, in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar, Shin Thant Tun was just 18 when he began applying for scholarships. But the path ahead felt impossible.

“After 2021, everything in my town felt unsafe, and I had no idea how to finish my education or leave the country,” he says. “I felt hopeless and overwhelmed by limited opportunities.”

A friend introduced him to BEAM’s CYLD (Community Youth Leadership Development) program, and everything began to change.

“Joining CYLD gave me a clear academic direction at a time when I felt completely stuck. It gave me hope and structure,” he says.

BEAM’s CYLD program focuses on preparing students for the GED and their personal development. For Shin Thant Tun, it became a turning point.

“BEAM supported me in every possible way — academically, emotionally, and financially,” he says. “They covered my GED exam fees, which was a big challenge for me. The teachers also gave me guidance and even wrote me a recommendation letter, which played a really important role in the scholarship process.”

That support paid off. This year, Shin Thant Tun was awarded a full  scholarship to study Computer Engineering at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Bangkok, Thailand.

“I cried,” he says. “I had spent months preparing through chaos, fear, and personal struggles – including relocating to Yangon to escape forced conscription. Getting this scholarship felt like a miracle.”

His inspiration came from a friend who had won the same scholarship.

“I found out about the scholarship because a previous recipient shared their experience and details about it. Their story really inspired me to apply, and it showed me that it was possible for someone like me to achieve this too,” he says.

Now, his future feels completely different.

“Before, I didn’t even know if I could finish school. Now, I can see myself becoming an engineer, researcher, and someone who gives back to my country one day,” he says.

He hopes to pursue a PhD in areas like Quantum Machine Learning and Quantum Computing and wants to make sure he supports underrepresented communities in the future.

“Education became my resistance and my hope,” he says. “Despite everything happening in my country, I kept learning. I took online courses in data science, math, and quantum computing, and I volunteered as a programming lecturer.”

His advice for students thinking about studying at BEAM?

“Don’t hesitate. It’s more than just a school program – it’s a lifeline,” he says.

And for students applying for scholarships:

“Be honest in your essays. Tell your story – even the hard parts. Ask for help and don’t give up even when things go quiet. Prepare your portfolio well – it’s more important than most people realize,” he says.

When asked what the best thing about BEAM was, Shin Thant Tun doesn’t hesitate.

“The community. Everyone truly believes in your potential. That belief saved me,” he says.

Do you want to feel more inspiration? Then read more about BEAM student successes here.