Building Confidence Across Borders: Hsu Myat’s Global Journey

May 19

Tell us about yourself. Where are you from, how old are you, and what are you doing these days?

Hello, my name is Hsu Myat. I'm currently 14 years old. I'm attending ILBC in Yangon, Myanmar, and I'm also doing the Hudson Global Scholars program.

These days, it's summer break for me. I've been caught up with my Hudson coursework, my ambassador work like my passion project, and my clubs, and summer activities like sports and music.

What is the weather like in Yangon during the summer?

It's very sunny and very, very hot. The temperature the last time I checked was around 32 degrees celcius. You can barely go outside during the afternoon. There's no rain at all—it's just sun all day.

What does a typical summer day look like for you?

I usually wake up at around 8 a.m., and from the morning until the afternoon, I'm focused on my Hudson coursework. I'm currently taking medicine, so I work on my medicine coursework until the afternoon.

After that, I go to badminton with my friends at least twice a week. I also go swimming, which I really enjoy, and I've been trying new hobbies like taking guitar lessons.

I'm also thinking of learning new languages since it's summer and I don't have school. My afternoons from around 12 noon to 4 p.m. are filled with activities. From around 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., I have extra classes such as biology, human biology, and physics. From around 9 p.m. onwards, I hang out with my friends online, playing games, and I usually go to bed around 10 or 11.

Which languages are you interested in learning?

I'm thinking of learning German and French.

What was it like when you first started the Hudson Global Scholars program?

When I first started Hudson Global Scholars, I was a bit worried because of the dual diploma. I was already busy with schoolwork and nervous about adding extra coursework. I wondered if I could handle the extra stress since one school is already hard enough.

But as I started the program, I got used to it, and it was actually very helpful. I made many new international friends and connections, and I learned new subjects like psychology and medicine, which we don't have at my school. I wouldn't have been able to learn these things or make these connections without this program.

How has the program changed you?

The program has really changed me. It has helped me with communication, leadership skills, and sharing what I'm passionate about. It's given me a space to do what I love, like creating a space for public speaking and sharing my culture while learning about new cultures.

What does a normal school-day routine look like for you?

On a normal school day, I wake up around 6 a.m. and need to be at school by 8 a.m. because it's a bit far from my house. If I have time, I revise my lessons before homeroom.

School runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a lunch break at 11:25 a.m. and a few short breaks throughout the day. After school, I go straight to clubs, such as art club, writers' club, socializing club, and public speaking club. I usually get home around 5:30 p.m.

During music season, from November to March, I stay at school from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for rehearsals, dance, and performances. Once I'm home, I work on my Hudson coursework, rest for a bit, attend extra classes, and then go to bed.

When does your academic year start, and what holidays do you have?

Our academic year starts in June and runs until March. We have holidays every month because our calendar includes one main holiday each month. Some months have two or three holidays, and October has about two weeks off.

In December and January, we usually have around three weeks off for winter and New Year's. Summer runs from the end of March through April and May, so it's about two and a half months long.

Do you have cultural festivals throughout the year?

Yes, we do. Our calendar follows a one-month, one-holiday, one-festival rhythm. Many of these festivals involve donations, such as donating to monasteries or pagodas, and they usually happen on full moon days, which means no school.

We still make donations, but we also have fun. During the water festival, we spray each other with water. During the candle lighting festival, we go around the neighborhood with candles and fireworks. Every month has a new celebration, which gives us time to socialize and have fun.

Why did you choose to pursue a dual diploma with Hudson Global Scholars?

There are many advantages. One is the international connections I've made. I've learned about other cultures, languages, and daily lives, which has helped me become more culturally sensitive.

Academically, I've been able to study subjects that aren't offered at my school, like psychology. I've fallen in love with psychology and am now thinking of taking AP courses and even choosing it for my A-levels because of this opportunity.

How do you manage stress and balance two academic programs?

I would tell myself not to stress too much or overthink. When work piles up, I tend to overthink and get overwhelmed, which stops me from starting.

I remind myself to pause, relax, break tasks into smaller pieces, and start with one thing. I'm a perfectionist, and trying to make everything perfect just stresses me out and leads to getting nothing done. You don't need to be perfect all the time. Just start and stop overthinking.

Why did you decide to become a student ambassador?

I wanted to connect with people internationally and share my passion for my culture and public speaking through my passion project, Speak Up. I wanted to create a space where people feel comfortable sharing their voices.

I've always liked connecting people, and becoming a student ambassador felt like a natural fit. I was inspired by other ambassadors and their passion projects, and I wanted to contribute to the Hudson Global Scholars community.

What does being a student ambassador look like on a weekly basis?

On a weekly basis, I manage my club and focus on my passion project about two to three days a week. It's not too stressful because other ambassadors are always willing to help, and Ms. Kim has been very supportive.

I check my group daily to make sure conversations are flowing, and sometimes I host live Zoom sessions once or twice a month. I also get to write articles, create recordings, and connect with others, which makes the experience really fun and rewarding.

What message would you like to share with students around the world?

Don't be afraid to take opportunities, whether it's becoming an ambassador or simply joining a club. If you let a chance slip away, it might not come back.

I used to be very shy and had many doubts about applying to be an ambassador, but I'm so grateful I didn't listen to those doubts. If I had, I wouldn't be here today. So don't let fear stop you. Take the leap—I promise you won't regret it.

Kim Kontos