My Myanmarese Hallmate by André Barros

I did my exchange at the University of Hong Kong, staying in Ricci Hall, the oldest Hall in the University, which had only boys. On the first day, I met my corridor-mates: a Malaysian fellow studying engineering, an Indian first-year student studying design, a Kazakhstani, and two local Hong Kongers. But the most striking student I met lived right next to me, a 23-year-old Myanmar fellow who we

nt by the name of Thein.

Thein, or as his English name states, “Fred,” is a soft-spoken guy who loves music, anime, and football, with his favorite team being Manchester United. Thein grew up in Myanmar to Chinese and Myanmarese parents in the central area of Myanmar, in what he described as an “underprivileged small town.” Thein began his studies in Medicine in 2019 after graduating high school with amazing grades and had hopes of becoming a doctor and helping those in need in Myanmar.

In 2021, however, Myanmar held democratic elections but were met by a military coup. The military, known as the Tatmadaw, rejected the results of the 2020 general election and seized control, detaining elected leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi and declaring a state of emergency. Since then, Myanmar has been in a deep and tragic crisis. Peaceful protests quickly turned into a nationwide resistance movement. The military responded with brutal force, shooting protesters, raiding homes, imposing internet blackouts and curfews. Thein remembers this time very vividly, “I remember that moment. My mother told me they did it, there was a military coup. The next morning there was no electricity, no phone signal, and no internet connection.”

The leader of the military, Min Aung Hleing, forced conscription through a National Service Law, forcing many young Myanmar men to be sent to the frontlines to fight the rebels. Thein saw one by one his closest friends leave his side, with some joining the revolutionary force or fleeing to Singapore, Thailand, or the US. He knew deep down that he did not want to lose his life or fight his friends because some Myanmarese general said so. Feeling increasingly more alone and fearful, Thein decided to apply to Hong Kong University so that he too could avoid conscription and he managed to enter HKU with a scholarship in engineering. His dreams of becoming a doctor vanished overnight, but his hope of escaping the crisis lived on.

Amnesty International reports that since the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s military junta has killed more than 6,000 people, arbitrarily detained more than 20,000, and renewed judicial executions. More than 3.5 million people are internally displaced. The United Nations reports that providing aid to Myanmar has become increasingly more difficult due to the rescue and relief workers seeking access to some of the worst-hit areas being blocked by military authorities. On the 28th of March Myanmar experienced a 7.7 magnitude earthquake which killed around 3600 people, making aid even more difficult to reach those in need.

Thein remembers leaving his parents and little sister as being the hardest moment of his life saying “I tried not to show my feelings. I didn’t say many words, I just hugged my parents for a long time and said goodbye.” On the plane, a variety of thoughts raced through his mind, ranging from remorse to hope, from dread to sorrow. He believed that “everything happens because there is a reason and I have to cope with them and I need to challenge myself,” which gave him hope. Thein describes his experience moving to Hong Kong as being positive and that he is “enjoying it so far.” Thein spoke passionately about his country, he showed me pictures of the rice fields and the Myanmarese food that he wished he could get in Hong Kong. He proudly showed me a painting once, hung in the University of Hong Kong, by a Myanmarese artist depicting the vast and mountainous countryside, speaking so passionately about the beauty of his country, and in his look, I could see a longing to go back. What struck me most about Thein wasn’t just the story itself, it was the way he carried it. There was hidden anger and drama, but also a quiet determination and a love for life and all that came with it. He dreams that one day the war will end, and Myanmar will manage to grow economically. However, 4 years into the conflict, that dream still seems out of reach.