Parami students engage globally and empower locally

Imagine walking through the historic streets of Budapest. You carry not just a bag, but a dream to help your community back home. In July 2026, four undergraduate students from Parami University did just that. Hsu Wutt Hmone Toe (Class of 2027), Thandar Htwe (Class of 2027), Lu Htoi (Class of 2028), and Shwin Thant Lei (Class of 2027) traveled to Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary. They attended the intensive course Get Engaged: Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility, held from July 6 to 10.

At the program, they met 19 participants from Italy, Hungary, Romania, India, Bangladesh, Tunisia, and Kazakhstan. Together, they explored how civic engagement projects could be adapted to strengthen communities in Myanmar.

Each year, Parami students can join CEU Summer University (SUN) programs like this one. The course explores the history, ideas, and practice of civic engagement. It is designed for students with prior leadership experience and combines classroom learning with hands-on projects, fieldwork, and advocacy training. Throughout the program, students learn to address real social challenges while connecting theory with practice. It also helps them place their leadership within a broader global context.

Four Students, Four Initatives

All four students were already engaged in community initiatives. They worked amid Myanmar's political instability, limited resources, and unequal access to education.

Hsu Wutt Hmone Toe works on art, creativity, and sex education topics that can feel sensitive. She almost did not apply because of self-doubt. Then she asked herself if she would regret missing the opportunity. That question pushed her to apply and get selected. She said that people should stay true to their real passions instead of changing ideas just to match what others expect.

Thandar Htwe has led rural education projects since 2020. Her father's community work inspired her. In 2024, she served as the communications lead for the "Building Pathway" project. Her team has supported 32 young people in rural areas across Myanmar through mentoring and online training in language and digital skills. Two of those young people later enrolled at Parami University as members of the Class of 2029. She aspired to move beyond short-term volunteering and create a lasting education model that could continue supporting communities over time. Her goal was to help reduce educational inequality and expand opportunities for rural students facing crises.

Lu Htoi is motivated by the lack of access to higher education faced by many young people in Myanmar. The political crisis following the military coup has disrupted education and made university study financially difficult for many families. She knows she cannot solve these problems alone. Still, Lu Htoi believes students can help connect other young people with educational opportunities and support those who want to continue their studies. 

She joined the course to learn practical ways to address community challenges, develop her own project to support her community, and find ways to improve educational opportunities for others.

As for Shwin Thant Lei, she joined the program to grow as a researcher and active citizen. She also wanted to understand how young people around the world respond to social and political challenges. Through her "Me-Us-The Future" initiative, she already supports young leaders by providing mentorship, leadership training, and funding for community projects in areas such as education, sustainable development, and civic engagement. 

She hoped to share her community's experiences, learn from the approaches of other participants, and receive feedback that would help strengthen the community projects she leads in Myanmar.

Insights That Crossed Borders Program 

Meeting students from many countries helped Hsu see Myanmar’s challenges in a more positive light. “The experience changed how I see myself,” she said. “I began to see the parts of myself I used to doubt or dislike in a gentler, truer light. It taught me how to appreciate who I am and feel proud of myself again.”

Thandar immediately applied what she learned to her rural education initiative, rewriting its vision, mission, goals, and objectives. “I even learned the essence of civic mindset and ethical leadership,” she said. The course left her ready to launch a more resilient rural project.

Lu gained new international perspectives on turning ideas into action. “The experience actually exceeded my expectations,” she said. “I expected to learn about civic engagement, but I gained the ability to look beyond my own country’s perspective and got a chance to learn how people from different countries approach the same issues. It reminded me that even as a student, I can make a meaningful contribution to my community.”

Shwin noticed that people from very different histories often care about the same issues: peace, inequality, education, and youth participation. “That understanding made me feel less isolated and more connected to a wider global conversation,” she said. The program also showed her that global learning means both sharing one’s own story and listening carefully to others.

Plans Going Forward

The students returned with clear plans for action. Thandar refined her rural education initiative using the proposal she developed during the course, while Lu plans to apply new approaches to expand educational opportunities in her community. Hsu will continue advancing work in art, creativity, and sexuality education, and Shwin intends to strengthen her existing projects using feedback from international peers. 

Their journeys reflect a commitment to turning learning into action without waiting for the “perfect” moment. 

Their experience reflects Parami University’s commitment to civic engagement and service learning. Through service-learning opportunities, student clubs, and support for student-led initiatives, students connect their education with meaningful community action.

Programs like the CEU Summer University allow students to share their experiences, learn from others, and bring back new ideas to support their communities. Their journey shows that creating change begins with curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to serve.

A Shared Vision for Civic Learning

The experience reflects Parami University’s commitment to civic engagement and service learning, which are important parts of student growth. Through service-learning requirements, student clubs, funding, and mentorship, Parami encourages students to connect their education with real community needs.

Students have developed initiatives that support access to education, literacy, research skills, and mentorship. Projects such as Project Luminary, Book Buddies, Sue San, and ACADBridge show how students are using their knowledge and creativity to address challenges in their communities.

Together, these initiatives highlight how Parami students turn learning into action and create meaningful impact locally and across borders.