Stranger in a Strange Land: A Student's Sojourn Beyond the Coup
Franco is currently in the United States. He has finished a master's degree in education and is now giving humanities classes to students. His interview was collected on March 6, 2023.
“I am hopeful I will be back home soon. There are many good people still in Myanmar, eager for change. There are also a lot outside supporting and doing what they can. There are plenty of talks, discussions and actions taking place. There is considerable potential in Myanmar that can be nurtured and grow. There’ll be news sooner or later; so many young people are still in the jungle.”
"I am still alive—I am currently in the United States. I had finished my master’s degree in education and I was about to hop on a plane to bring me back home when the Burmese military coup took place in Myanmar. I planned to return and work in education and youth empowerment, but this all changed in the blink of an eye. I have lots of friends, and my family is still in Myanmar. It is a stressful, very depressing situation. I feel as if I am stagnating; I feel guilty and low. I regularly get news from my friends and my family. I am in limbo, where I can’t do anything. The reality is that I chose to stay in the States and not go back. I guess I have survival guilt. Some of my friends are dead; my father also passed away post-coup—not directly from the violence but due to the poor healthcare system that resulted from it. My friends tell me there is not much more I could do even in Myanmar, but it is not enough to comfort me.
I am not embracing the American life. I am not buying into it or going for it. I am doing alright. Not good, not bad, just alright—surviving one day at a time. Some other Myanmar students around me arrived after the coup. It was a very different situation when I chose to study abroad; I decided in a healthy context.
I am from Shan State, and I studied in Yangon. I grew up in a boarding house in Pyin Oo Lwin. My family and friends have always been of great support in my life. I have been involved in some activities to support the people and the revolution in Myanmar since the coup. At the moment, I have no idea what is happening on the ground there. It isn't easy to get accurate news. Therefore, I am still determining what I should do to help. I am writing and editing some reports on the Rohingya Genocide and highlighting human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. We need to get justice for all they have done. I also hope it raises awareness. I am also sending money to those in need, every month, through friends still in the country.
I am also joining protests organized by the diaspora here in the States. I went to Portland, Oregon, and the Boston Campaign. We also do fundraising events.
I stand for a federal democracy, however, I do agree that—right now—we need to tear down the military regime. While I don't believe in violence for conflict resolution—as it creates more chaos—I do understand the need. While fighting for freedom, agreements and understandings need to take place between the National Unity Governmnet and ethnic resistance organizations about a future federal democracy that would guarantee equal rights for all. Also, a real lasting change needs to also be educational and progressive.
I am far from home, and I have mixed feelings about it. I feel guilty, and I also feel nostalgic. I miss home; I miss talking with my friends and going out. I miss the essence of life in Myanmar, like travelling on a bus, riding a motorcycle in the hills, the nightlife in Yangon and so on. I am aware of all the guilt I carry. In a way, I am physically safe and sound, but mentally I am not.
I am hopeful I will be back home soon. There are many good people still in Myanmar, eager for change. There are also a lot outside supporting and doing what they can. There are plenty of talks, discussions and actions taking place. There is considerable potential in Myanmar that can be nurtured and grow. There'll be news sooner or later; so many young people are still in the jungle.
I have a job here in America; I teach students humanities in high school and at university. It's alright, though kids can be so entitled. They don't give a shit about some things! They have no clue what it is to live a life of real struggle; sometimes, I feel as if they do not even realize how lucky they are to go to school. It can be frustrating to see. But, it is an interesting experience, although challenging.
It's hard to cope with the pain and stress. When I get news, I tend to get super upset. So, I focus on something else. I go to school, talk to friends, and walk. Sometimes I go for a run.
I don't have plans at the moment. I am trying to put one foot in front of the other. I am in a strange place where I can't make plans. I want to become an honest scholar. I want to contribute to the development of humans, especially in Myanmar.
As for my dream: I saw it happen already. My dream is a prosperous, peaceful country that strives for success as much as possible. I am not going for utopia, but for peace, where young people can thrive and try. But, unfortunately, right now, this is not possible.
We need to expose the military but also raise awareness about human rights. Young people need opportunities."
These stories are collected by the Real Stories Not Tales team. Real Stories Not Tales is a dedicated team in and out of Myanmar that aims to bring awareness to the reality of people's lives since the Myanmar military staged a coup on February 1st, 2021. Stories are collected through interviews with each protagonist by the team, either in Burmese or in English. Each character is drawn by a professional illustrator. RSNT is an anonymous name that is used by the group to guarantee security to all parties involved in the collection of the stories.