Yin Hlaing

“Myanmar is very poor and it’s not that developed, so we don’t learn English or learn a lot about foreign countries,” Hlaing recounted. In Myanmar, Hlaing taught math and science in high school. 

She and her family moved to Astoria and lived with friends. She spent many days in the library reading children’s books to her daughter. “My daughter was nine months old,” recalled Hlaing. “I went to the library every day and spent three hours reading all the baby books to my daughter. I was learning English as well.” In 2011, feeling that her English was strong enough, Hlaing applied to LaGuardia Community College. “It was very hard for me,” she said. To improve her English, Hlaing offered a tutoring exchange for her fellow students: she taught them physics and math and they taught her English.

Hlaing credits the faculty at LaGuardia for helping her succeed. “My professor said that whatever you dream, your dream will come true.” Interested in medicine but not in becoming a doctor, Hlaing decided to pursue a career as a pharmacist. After graduating LaGuardia, she entered Hunter College and finished with a major in biochemistry and a minor in biology. While she was in college she worked up to three jobs at the same time: a receptionist, a waitress and a physics tutor. After she had her second child, Hlaing worked as a medical biller in a cardiologist’s office before starting TCOP.

“When I came into the interview, the professors were very nice and willing to help me,” said Hlaing. “The admission’s office helped me. Everyone I met is very warm and, as an immigrant, I feel that they are my second family.”

Favorite Thing About America: “I love the freedom we have in America. In Myanmar we couldn’t speak up about anything. In America, you can speak up if you want something.”