Four students, four reasons for choosing Parami

Students arrive at university with different experiences and goals. Some are continuing their education after an earlier college experience. Some are beginning university after high school. Others have traveled far from home for the opportunity to study.

For Nyan Lin Htet, May Nyein Thaw, Luh Pong, and Mustafa Mohammadi, members of the Class of 2030 who joined Parami through the most recent admissions cycle, choosing Parami was connected to what they wanted to learn, the people they hoped to meet, and the futures they wanted to prepare for. Each student arrived with a different motivation: Nyan wanted to rediscover learning as a lifelong process, May was looking for a supportive university community, Luh wanted to use education to create opportunities for his community, and Mustafa wanted to learn from people with different backgrounds and perspectives.

Learning as a lifelong  journey 

After some college experience, Nyan Lin Htet, who lives in Yangon, began to think differently about his education. Before joining Parami, he had viewed education as a plan to complete. Now, he sees it as something that can continue throughout his life.

“Joining Parami University brought back the real feeling of being a student. More than just earning a degree, it has shown me that learning is a habit I’ll keep for the rest of my life,” Nyan said.

Nyan first discovered Parami on social media and saw it as a place to prepare for his future career while also growing as a person. He was drawn to Parami’s focus on connecting classroom learning with real-world skills. Along the way, he has learned to work with people from different backgrounds, communicate clearly, and take on greater responsibility as a dependable leader.

His experience has also shaped the advice he would give to students who have started college but are still unsure about their next step. He encourages them to think carefully about the changes they want to make in their lives before choosing a new educational path.

While Nyan found a new way of thinking about learning, May Nyein Thaw was looking for something different: a chance to reconnect with a university community after years away from in-person education.

Finding a supportive learning community

May Nyein Thaw, another student from Yangon, saw starting university as an opportunity to enter a new social environment after more than seven years of isolation and studying from home. Although she was initially nervous about making friends online, her first week at Parami changed her expectations. She found her classmates approachable and appreciated the university’s efforts to create a supportive student experience.

“I did not want to be in a university environment where I would be wandering, not knowing what I am even doing. Parami offers a different kind of support for its students, and its educational quality is what I am looking for,” she said.

The small class sizes also appealed to her, as she felt that around 20 students per class would allow for more guidance and support. Curious and interested in exploring different subjects, May felt Parami’s approach to education matched her interests and goals.

After attending Parami’s introduction webinar, May said the active atmosphere among the staff helped her understand the university community and confirmed her decision to join.

While May sought a supportive environment to continue her education, Luh Pong’s story begins with a different challenge: gaining access to formal education in the first place.

One opportunity, a wider purpose 

Luh Pong’s educational path began in Donghe City, Nanyun Township, within the Naga Self-Administered Zone. He started primary school at age 11, later than many children in urban areas, but remained determined to pursue an education and contribute to the future of the Naga community.

His goal of expanding access to quality education and encouraging young people to continue their studies shaped his decision to study international relations and social science. Without mentors to guide him through the international university application process, Luh traveled independently to Yangon to seek opportunities.

At Parami, studying with peers from diverse backgrounds has helped him become more adaptable and build meaningful relationships. “I am just focusing on adaptability and flexibility to grow with other people,” Luh said.

He chose Parami for its liberal arts curriculum, scholarship opportunities, and diverse student community. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master’s degree and encourage more young people from the Naga community to pursue quality education.

“I want to be a liberally educated person who is the one and only pioneer from my community. I might be the first person, but not the last person,” he said.

Luh’s own educational journey has shaped his hopes for others. While pursuing his own education, he also wants to help make quality education more accessible to young people from his community.

Learning from a world of perspectives 

Mustafa Mohammadi also sees education as a way to create future opportunities, but his experience is particularly shaped by his interest in learning across cultures and perspectives. Coming from Afghanistan, he understands that many young people do not have the chance to continue their studies or prepare for the future they want.

“Education has always been very important for me,” Mustafa stated. “I see it as a way to create more opportunities in my life.”

Mustafa first learned about Parami from a teacher at the Refugee Learning Centre where he had studied. He was looking for an opportunity to continue his education when the teacher introduced him to the university.

A degree is not the only thing Mustafa wants from the university. He is also looking for a place where he can develop his critical-thinking skills and meet people from different countries and cultures. Learning alongside students from different backgrounds is part of the university experience. It gives him opportunities to hear different views and consider experiences outside his own.

Mustafa also hopes the global public will understand that Afghanistan is more than the news reports they see. He wants people to remember that millions of young Afghans have goals for their education and future, even though many do not have the same opportunities to study.

“There are millions of young people who dream of having the opportunities that I have. I’m grateful that I have the chance to continue my education, and I want to make the most of it.” Mustafa reflected.

Choosing to study at Parami means challenging himself. He wants to meet students from different cultures, become more confident, and prepare for his future.

Nyan, May, Luh, and Mustafa joined Parami from different backgrounds and with different goals. Nyan sees education as a lifelong process, May values a supportive learning community, Luh hopes to use his education to create opportunities for others, and Mustafa wants to broaden his perspective through learning with people from different cultures.

Their stories show that choosing a university can mean different things to different students. It can be about discovering a new approach to learning, finding a sense of community, creating opportunities for others, or developing a broader understanding of the world.

For students considering a similar path, learning about the university and preparing early can be an important first step. Parami University’s 2026 admissions cycle is now closed, and the next admissions cycle will begin in January 2027. Students considering applying can use the time before the application period to learn about the process, review the requirements, and prepare their materials.

Visit Parami University’s Admissions Preparation page to learn more about the application process, important dates, and ways to prepare for the next admissions cycle.