DVC Alumni: Where Every Story Inspires the Next!

Navigating a New World: Glad Lynn's Journey from Myanmar to DVC

September 17, 2024 • Charley

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What if your life's path took a drastic turn from medical school in Myanmar to navigating college life in California amidst a global pandemic and political upheaval? Kyi Sin Lynn, affectionately called Glad, shares her awe-inspiring journey filled with resilience and determination. From facing societal and parental pressures to study medicine to courageously seizing an opportunity to study abroad during a military coup, Glad's story is a testament to perseverance and unyielding spirit. Join us as we uncover how she independently navigated the American college application process and graduated in business administration from Diablo Valley College (DVC).

Throughout this episode, we explore the logistical and financial challenges faced by international students like Glad, who leaned on her father's unwavering support to overcome numerous hurdles. Learn how she adapted to life in a new country, battling language barriers and adjusting to an English-speaking classroom during the pandemic. Glad’s journey, from missing orientation due to flight schedules to finding her place in campus clubs, exemplifies the transformative power of community involvement and leadership. Her active participation in the International Student Club, which culminated in her becoming the club president, highlights her ability to turn initial feelings of disconnection into meaningful connections and roles.

Amidst academic pressures and part-time jobs, Glad also faced intense emotional and mental health challenges. From the political turmoil in Myanmar affecting her family to the pressures of adapting to a new life, her story reveals the importance of seeking support and taking initiative. Tune in to hear Glad's advice on resilience and perseverance, and how she found solace in community involvement and support from college counselors. Her journey underscores that despite life's toughest obstacles, with determination and support, it is possible to carve out a fulfilling path and find success.

Thank you for tuning in. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your feedback helps us bring you more inspiring stories from the DVC community.

Stay connected with us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming episodes. Have a story to share or a topic you’d like us to cover? Reach out—we’d love to hear from you!

Until next time, keep pushing boundaries, embracing connections, and navigating your own path to success.

DVC Alumni: Where every story inspires the next.

Charley:

and we're live.

Glad Lynn:

So tell us, tell us who you are and what you're doing here okay, I, my name is jie xin lin, but, like a lot of people know me as glad, it's not just my English name. In my home country people just call me glad, so it's like a nickname. So, and I am um. I graduated from DVC as a business administration student last semester in spring 2024. And I am currently working as an office assistant in DVC International Students Office. I came from Myanmar and I am 22 years old.

Charley:

All right, all right. So talk a little bit about your journey to get here to DVC. We'll get to the international office, but kind of how you got here, you know, because Myanmar is not really close. It's not like my kids where we lived around the corner. It's more than a little distance.

Glad Lynn:

Okay, sure. So it's like kind of a very long story because I used to be a Medigap student. I was in Medigap College in Burma when I finished my high school. There's like a matriculation exam system in my country where we finish our high school in at 16 years old. So, um, I did pretty well, I would say, at the exam and like I got into the medicaid university and I spent like two years in that school.

Glad Lynn:

Um, actually, I never wanted to be a doctor, it's just my like, but I don't know what else to do and like a doctor is like a very practical job and like my parents really wants me to go to the school. So I end up going to the medicaid college for two years, but to be honest, I didn't enjoy any time at all like so, um, but however, like in my second years of my medical school there was like covid happened and also, uh, one tragic thing is like the military coup happened in my country. It was like very sudden, so sudden, like I wasn't that interested in politic a lot that time, like when I was like probably like 18, 19 years old, like 19, 1920, yeah, years old, so like. But however, like there's like a big, that is a very big impact on my life and also the whole country and a lot of people's life in our in my country. So the country situation becomes like a mess, like a very big mess, and so a lot of political issue and like a lot of people interested in the political things and like a lot of young people especially, we kind of got to feel what uh like, what is like a democracy and freedom, like for a few years, so like it's more sensitive, sensitive to us, like that thing happens.

Glad Lynn:

So a lot of people they do like do the protests and like and it's these two uh like, uh we like a civil war right now, but like it's not civil war, that's military coup.

Glad Lynn:

So so I, I I would say like I live in like the capital city that is like a center of the like administration thing, so like it was like very kind of dangerous people would say so but however, and like I I would like to participate in those like like against the military campaigns and things that is not like very that is not a very good thing to do in that capital city, like where the military is existing.

Glad Lynn:

So yeah, but, however, a lot of things complicated, long story short and like the school closed, um, the citizen, they do like a lot of white coding jobs to the military government, so like we can go back to the school and like, uh, for me personally I don't want to go back to school, like I don't like that school in the first place and in the and also, uh, I don't support the military coup thing. So I was kind of lost and also it was always my dream to go abroad and study. It was like, since I was like very young, I was like I really want to do, like there is like a things in asian, you know, I would say it's like it's not like a stereotype, but like in asian, like television dramas and everything. There is like something kind of called a plot twist, like when people want to abroad and like two, three year, five year later they come back rich, something like that you know.

Glad Lynn:

So I was like I really want to go to abroad, but like my parents, they are not that rich. We're kind of comfortable. But so I was like if I want to go to abroad I need to go get a scholarship. I have to be on myself. But however, this thing happened. So I got my luck because, like my father has his, like old best friend he is, he live in california, so he like they they've been friends like for so long, so like he invite, like he, he did an invitation to my father's like.

Glad Lynn:

So things are complicated and you're having difficult times and like. So he has his house like kind of big, like you know, it's not like a bit bad. However, he could invite, like my father's daughter, who is me, and my sister, but my sister she was, she was like kind of young, so like he can come like uh, so I was like, oh, this is my chance. So I prepared everything by myself. So it was kind of very kind of difficult for me too because, like you know, applying to an american college is like like a very new things to me. Nobody around me ever tried this, so like I have to do all the research by myself.

Glad Lynn:

So, and I applied it and it seems like it's not that hard. So I was like, okay, I got it. And then I, I got the, I got admission and because, like dvc and also how I got into into DVC is like is is my only choice. Because, like my, my only reason to come to study in US is because to live in my father's friend's house, who will give us rent free, and like, yeah, he can take care of us. So the only college university near to his house is dvc. So I I applied to dvc, I got it and I got my visa, luckily, and then I came here in 2022 january. It's like very funny because, like you know, uh, this the semester started in like january, late january. I got my visa in like second week of January oh geez.

Glad Lynn:

So I was like I almost already give up. So yeah I. But however, I luckily got into into like USA on my first try and also a lot of people being coming to US and all other abroad country like, because, like, studying in Burma is not a not the best choice right now. But, however, when I came here I was kind of early because I was kind of lucky enough to come here early and it wasn't that difficult, I would say, compared to those people who are trying to escape the country.

Charley:

So so talk a little bit about the process of applying, because I mean, it's like you didn't have anybody to, you didn't like have a buddy here. It's like, hey, tell me how you did it, walk us through that a little bit, because I I think that's amazingly, amazingly resourceful that you figured it out, you know. I mean, granted, there's the internet, but please talk us through that yeah, because, like you know, um, okay, I, I have a.

Glad Lynn:

I have to say sorry because, like I have a hard result, like I'm kind of targeted and making short story long, so no, that's what this format is for yeah it's just tell us the story.

Glad Lynn:

I want to hear the whole thing yeah, so like my mom, he is a university professor, but however, she's kind of like a asian, like you know, old lady, so so she's just like very traditional professor in asia. But however, like she has a friend who she is like um, kind of I would say like more comfortable and rich like her. She, my mom has a friend and she has a daughter. So we are the same age when we finish the metric of the high school. She, um, her daughter, go, went to us to go apply to go to college. So but they their preparation step, like my mom kind of know, but however, that is very difficult and like very complicated as far as I know, because like they do like other a lot of preparation day and they spend a lot of money. So so they took like I'm not sure, but like when I first tell, when I first told my mom about my mom and dad, about I want to go to abroad, and especially us if your friend is there, but my mom said like that is kind of impossible because we are not that rich, we cannot support you that much money just for the preparation. Because, like as far as I saw from my friend's sister, friend's daughter story, that is kind of difficult and you have to prepare a lot of things. So I was like, really, so it really made me like not really motivated. So I was like but, however, let's try because, like, at the first place, I really want to go to abroad.

Glad Lynn:

So, um, I do my research myself. Yeah, I have the internet, the internet, so I do the research. Like I spend like a lot of hours going on dvc website, like by myself, like hours and hours. That is the true story. So, like, sometimes, like people are asking like it's kind of related to my job right now. My job in DVC right now is like answering people's question and inquiry. So I was like, okay, so I it's kind of always remind me how I know this and how I, how I found out about this answer is like it's myself I did research, a lot of research on the website. I don't really like reading, but, however, it's just me, for me and I don't know who to ask for that time. So, like, I do read, I do the reading a lot to understand the application process and everything.

Glad Lynn:

It wasn't really easy. It was very stressful for me because it's the first time. Nobody I cannot ask my mom's daughter to like she is doing another whole process, so like, but however long I did it, because like it's not that difficult, I at the at the end when I finally done it, so like we just need like I already finished high school, I'm already older than 18 years old so like american community college are for those people to give them the opportunity to joy, to a better higher education and university. So it's kind of I feel like american college education is like kind of open to everybody, so that is not supposed to be difficult and like that's how I found out is like okay, this is not that difficult but I have things to do.

Glad Lynn:

So but what I, who I really, what I really feel thankful is my father. He is like always supported to me. So he was like just tell me what you need to do. So like he like there's a like notria things and everything those are kind of expensive in there. So like my father is like he he did, he did, like he has some connection, like my friend is doing the notria service, so I got a lot of things free, like I don't really need to spend a lot of money because I got the lack, so yeah, so I would say I do read and do research a lot by myself. It's kind of boring, but I did it because it's for me and I really want to come here.

Charley:

So it was a lot of persistence on your part and a little bit of help from your dad, because he was I, I mean, I'm a dad, so I know how this is, like whatever I can do to help my princess out, it's like I'm there, you know. So it's just, yeah, it's and, and so I'm sure they're very proud of you at this point, you know. It's like I mean, and again, so you made that decision and then tell us about, like, when you actually came over and showed up, what was that like?

Glad Lynn:

Yeah, so like I came here, like as I said earlier, I came here like two days before the semester my flight. So, yeah, I didn't attend the orientation because, like, I only attended Zoom orientation, but, however, that was the time I have to, like I was voting, so I have to, like I have, I have to one of. I didn't even get to listen to the orientation as a whole, so because I have to go to the go, like voting, and then go voting but voting on the flight.

Glad Lynn:

Oh, because the orientation time was the time I have to go into the airplane.

Charley:

Oh, you had to fly, okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry Because you were flying. Sorry, that's okay. That's okay. That's why, if you don't mind, I'll stop and just ask you to clarify, because I was just like. So, you were actually on the jet.

Glad Lynn:

That's true when. That's true when you were supposed to be in orientation, zoom, orientation, okay, and the actual orientation, the check-in day, what is very essential and mandatory right now. I didn't even get a chance Because my flight, as you know, I got the visa only two weeks before the semester began and then I have to buy my flight ticket by that time, like within two weeks. You know, like to fly across the world, but like you have, you buy the tickets like two weeks before. That is like that took us a lot of work yeah, so, and it wasn't.

Charley:

It wasn't like you just jumped on a plane and in in myanmar and then showed up in san francisco. There was.

Glad Lynn:

You know no, yeah, there's a lot of paperwork. I have to do that time, like you know, was you know? No, yeah, there's a lot of paperwork. I have to do that time, like you know. The vaccination yeah and like there's a lot of like a testation fall I have to do within those two weeks. So yeah, but however, I did it, so it was okay. So it was my first time flying, oh, really yeah, when I fly to us.

Charley:

It was my first ever time flying.

Glad Lynn:

It was my first time flying oh, really, yeah, when I fly to us. It was my first ever time flying. It was my first time stepping into an airport actually okay so you know, like when I never do like a broad, like visit and trip before, so this is my first ever adventure. It was my first time traveling alone, like you know, like abroad too, so it was a lot of adventures.

Charley:

So it's first time you're traveling alone, you're getting on a plane for the first time, you're walking into an airport alone for the first time. So it's like so yeah, so you jump in, you go through, you get there, you get into San Francisco, you go through customs, which that must have been daunting, cause I know, even having been through customs several times, I get confused. But yeah, but yeah, that must have been daunting, because I know, even having been through customs several times, I get confused. But yeah, that must have been something.

Glad Lynn:

But I was like I don't really feel like any like fear, scare. I don't really feel at all, because I was like kind of like happy about, like all the new experience I've been waiting for my whole life. This is like a dream for me, like my dream finally came true and like I didn't feel like it's it. It hits me really when I'm like, when I'm on the plane, like because I do a transit in singapore, so, like on my plane, I don't really feel that is like sad or like anything I don't like.

Glad Lynn:

Okay, this, this is not a good thing to say, but however, I don't really feel sad to leave that country because like, yeah, the the that those like this, this was kind of this is kind of selfish, very selfish, I would say. But however, for me personally and like my own life, like everything's like I have in my I wants to do, is like I feel like my life will begin better. I know there's I have a lot of feelings to uh, usually, but however, at that time the those sad feeling like I, I maybe I can't see my parents in a few year or many year, I know, I know, but however, I the like the happiness and like my, I don't know how to say english like the adventurous yes, well, no, it's, it's, it's, it's.

Charley:

You're realizing a dream that you've had since a kid yeah is because you're and I get that, I mean it's like for me, flying is is annoying because the thing is I've done it so much, but, but, but first time. Not only that, you're going international, you're going to realize a dream to go to the United States and go to a school, and so you, you, you touch down in in San Francisco, you get through customs.

Glad Lynn:

Yeah.

Charley:

It's two days before classes start.

Glad Lynn:

That's true. So, and also, you know, like I, I don't know about the internet and phone line, everything. So, like when I step into San Francisco International Airport, I'm not sure how can I contact to my father's friend. So, you know what I used? I didn't know. San Francisco Airport has the free Wi-Fi too, because I don't know. Yeah, free wi-fi to you because I don't know.

Glad Lynn:

Yeah, yeah, so what I did is like I used the like public phone, like payphone in the san francisco airport to call my father's friend number and they were like they are going to pick me up but like they are kind of late so I have to wait for them like 30 to 40 minutes in the airport alone. But however, like but I don't, I don't say I was feeling absolutely happy. I was kind of numb because this is too big for me yes too big for me.

Glad Lynn:

So I was like and that is one of my habit that like I don't really feel super excited or super, you know, like happiness or anything. I don't. I sometimes, when I have something big to like concentrate, I begin kind of, you know, calm. I'm usually like a not calm person, I'm like very like super active person.

Charley:

But however, at that time the emotion was I guess so big so it just made me calm yeah, it probably was a little overwhelming, so it just kind of you plow through, but I, I mean again. So you get picked up, you, you got two days to get to class and you walk into your first day of class.

Glad Lynn:

That's true.

Charley:

Tell us about that.

Glad Lynn:

Okay, so that time was stay in COVID so I can take a lot of classes online. So the only I only took like only one class, like five unit class, as in person, that is a calculus class.

Charley:

Oh geez.

Glad Lynn:

Okay class, uh, as in person, that is a calculus class, so okay. So the thing, one of the reason I go I went into medical school is because I don't want to do math anymore, and what's the first class you got?

Glad Lynn:

and then I, I, I was like you know, like in the medical school, uh, we, we need to study, we need to learn math only in the first year and, like, when I was doing the final for finance exam of the first semester, first mb they call this mb for first year of medical school I was like, okay, after this day I am done with math, I don't need to do this annoying math anymore. But however, here I am, here I'm back back with math. So like, and it's calculus, I hate it. So I was like I went to the class but, however, luckily I, the class is not that difficult. Like I took calculus one, but like I feel like I already know, like, even though I wasn't very good in when I was doing this in my home country, this is my second time learning this, some of those calculus one. So I was, I feel, not difficult at all Like some, but I was feeling intimidated for it because, like, this is my first time learning in a classroom, absolutely English, because I didn't go to any international school in my country too. So, like, everybody around me is like, everybody is speaking English and I'm learning English and this is math, but, however, I don't really feel a big deal of it, and that was very surprising to me. I was like, oh, I thought it would be OK. So I was kind of not that time, because I don't have the work permit to, so I everything I need to do is study and study and study.

Glad Lynn:

So in my first semester I did really well in my classes. Like you know, my grades are like I got a lot of extra credit, plus, plus, plus. I was like I was like, oh, I'm doing great, but I didn't know my future at that time. You know, like when I'm start working and like taking classes and I go crazy. I went crazy. But, however, in my first semester wasn't that bad and my ink, and also about the english language barrier. That was difficult, I would say, because I I never speak in english in my whole life as like a like an usual daily life, but how? So I feel very difficult to speak english. I mean, I feel very comfortable right now. So, like I feel like I think I would say like it would it took me like around six months to feel comfortable with english, like speaking in daily life.

Glad Lynn:

So, like in my first semester, my biggest problem, I would say, was the english barrier. I was in the morning I woke up and I was like, oh my god, I have to get up and talk in english again today. I think about that like I thought it like that every morning.

Glad Lynn:

so I I feel really uncomfortable to speak and think and because it took it, took me a process like right now I can talk whatever I want, want compared to that time. But, however, at that time I was like when I have to talk to you something, I have to think and translate. So it took me a very long process, so it was kind of difficult for me.

Charley:

Yeah, when I was much younger. I have a friend of mine who he was originally from Belgium and then he moved here when he was 10. So his native language is French, but he speaks English without an accent. But when you get into complicated things you could see him in his head translate it to French, because he'd pause and he would kind of translate into French and then he would sometimes articulate something that didn't quite make sense.

Charley:

But then, when you kind of sorted it out, oh, oh, oh, okay, I get it. So, yeah, it's, it's, that was just with him and and because he was, you know, but but if you just spoke to him, he sounded like a native speaker for English. So yeah.

Glad Lynn:

So you know, like you can see me, I'm kind of struggling today too because, like right now, I don't really feel uncomfortable to use English. But, however, like it depends on my mood too, because, like today, last night I didn't get get sleep. That's why my brain is not brainy. I would say, that's why, like I'm kind of struggling today, so my English levels these days are like kind of depends on my brain well, capacity, I brain.

Charley:

Well, I'm capacity. Yeah, I speak english as a native and I still have that problem too. It doesn't have anything to do with whether it's the native language or not. Just some days it just the brain isn't engaged. There's just not enough coffee. So, yeah, so you, you get in, you're, you're plugging along. You got through your first six months. You're starting to get more comfortable with english.

Charley:

You survived calculus again yeah excuse me no worries so, um, so then tell, take us through the kind of the rest of it. How did you end up in the uh, in the uh international office?

Glad Lynn:

oh yeah. So, like the first thing, the first thing was not an international, but it was. It was the club, international student club. So I was like um, I, it is like me and my, me and my classroom. I was like home. I, I went back to home after the class and I, the only way I know is like the birth route, 28 from my home to class, to tvc. So I was like I'm not that type of person, you know, because I'm that type of person who, who, who, like to be out outside and talk to a lot of people, meet new people, and that that's how I feel alive. So I feel this is I feel like I was struggling and adapting, adjusting my new life. At the same time, I still want to meet more people and like I feel I want to be more alive, although it takes it will be challenging, I know. So I need more friends, the main thing.

Glad Lynn:

So, and in my second semester, I guess I I followed the a lot of dvc student club on instagram. I searched them. So I found international student club on instagram. I search them. So like I found international student club. That is like the most interesting class I found. So like I follow them and they are like recruiting officers. So like I won, actually I went there I don't remember what it was my first or second semester. I went to their general meeting once. It was like that they are, they are final general meeting of that semester. So it was really fun like there's a lot of people and like I saw like those officer working and like I like to do those organizing things. So I was like this is very interesting and I love it. So I I meet people finally. So so I was interested.

Glad Lynn:

So like that next semester they were recruiting. At the start of the semester I was like I want to there but however, I saw like only few people there and, like I remember, like the president was also new, they started a new term, so like they need just like one or two, three new officer. So I applied for the vice president because like that is one of the vacants position, but however, obviously I didn't get the position as a very newcomer, but I got a position like called activity coordinator. So I I got into the club so but, however, I feel like activity coordinator that sounds very me, so like I really work for that, that job. So like I mean like a lot of club thing is like. So this is like a kind of bitter truth about that. So a lot of dvc student we did it for the resume, yeah, but, however, for me, I was like I know that I I feel like I cannot afford to use it.

Glad Lynn:

That time. I feel like that I was lost. Actually, I just want to focus on what I'm doing right now. So like I'm doing these club jobs and I'm enjoying this. So I really work hard and I really pay attention to that. So that's how I became very close and best friend with some of the officers, like the president he became my best friend and also other officers. So like I got my friends, friendship and I feel alive again, like I can go to eat something with my friends again, like I have friends to go eat and go out and I I have something to do, something to work on. That is really fun part like I that like that reminds me like I'm enjoying this life, I'm alive. So, yeah, that is how I got into the International Student Club and I worked there for like one year as an activity coordinator and, like in my second year, like they like the, like there is like something second year. Like they like the like, there is like something called like a d.

Glad Lynn:

The clubs has a time, like if you have a position, you will expire in one year so like my friend who is the president like told me like you should apply for the president position next time. So I was like, oh really, because like that time I was like started to looking for jobs, like part-time jobs. So I was like I'm not sure, I have a lot of class too so, but however, I give, I give it a try and I actually got that. So I was like I didn't really expect that, but I became. I became the president of the International Student Club in my second year of college. So that's how I, and then you, became the leader. That is a very different story right now. Yeah, you work in the club. I feel very used to and I feel very familiar with the campus and everything in DVC. But however the change comes, you have to work as a leader and you have to lead the people. I never done that before.

Glad Lynn:

So, I was like, okay, so that would be not easy. So I prepare myself, like my mind and my body I prepare. But however it didn't run well, I would say.

Charley:

So I it did not or did.

Glad Lynn:

It did not.

Charley:

Oh.

Glad Lynn:

Because, like, there's a lot of challenging thing because this is my also my first time living and first time doing this thing. So I have other things like going on in my life and also like this I'm just talking about my campus life at this point.

Glad Lynn:

So like um, but however, I, I became the dbc president uh, but oh, I missed that point. But that at the same time, like around the same time when I was thinking about applying to the president, dbc international students office was also hiring a student worker for the first time. So I was like I give it a try, why don't I give it a try? And then, like when they do the interview, I was like I talked a lot about that.

Glad Lynn:

This is, yeah, this is kind of secret, but I talked about that, how I am involved in the international student club and like I think they are very interested. That time they were very interested with how to communicate more with international students more and like how to help them more. So I put a lot of things on that, like I can help people connect with the office and the club and like actual students. So like I think that was my cheat code to get into that job. So I got into the office and around that time I I got in, I got the president, so I got those two things almost around the same time. So that is how my life turns into a new point. So I yeah.

Charley:

So you, you really got involved with the club in order to figure out a way to connect with being here.

Glad Lynn:

Sure.

Charley:

You know, because I mean you showed up and you had, basically, you know, your dad's friend.

Glad Lynn:

Yeah.

Charley:

And that was kind of like your new family. And then you had school, which was, you know you didn't have a bunch of people, but you used the club really to create that connection.

Glad Lynn:

That's true.

Charley:

And then you, you know, hey, that's true. And then you, you know, hey, you should. And then you started raising your hand and going, yes, yes um, and it sounds like in in some way, and and because they were first times, you know they either went well or they didn't. But, um, you know I'm old enough to know that I I've not been successful at everything, so but you're still here, so obviously you did well at it. So yeah.

Glad Lynn:

So there was like actually I'm just saying like it easily but that those time where, like the hardest times of my life, I would say like emotionally, especially that time I, yeah, I was doing a lot of decision, like applying to the president things, and like I got part-time jobs, and and those time I have my classes where, like at the point where they are not easy, so like I would say, like calculus, I'm not good at math, so like calculus 2 is when I got messed up, so like I don't have time to study a lot because I have other jobs and things, and like a lot of things like that just disturb me.

Glad Lynn:

So, um, and at the same time, where the family and kind of private things I would say came in like because like the political situation in my country became like worse and like my sister is also planning to come here, so my parents are supporting two people as an international student. That is very high tuition fee and also I want to move out from my friend, from my father's friend house, because like they were very good people.

Charley:

But however, like I mean, I don't want to like go to jail, but yeah, well, I know there's a point where you want to grow up and go out on your own and launch on your own, and I get that, yeah, this is like you deal people like who are not your own family.

Glad Lynn:

There's can be problem. That is very natural. So I have a lot of things going on my life that time and like, especially like my classes, I, I, I was like, uh, very hard working, I would say, in my classes I, I, my goal was to get a and hundreds in my classes all my life.

Glad Lynn:

But, however, that time my classes like I, I was almost getting a d oh, wow yeah I got, I go that low because, like so I was like, should I have to? I have to drop that class or not? Like something like that too, so like. But however, the money is also a problem. I cannot drop a class like easily because, like that is a lot of money and I cannot waste my father's pressure money like that, and also the situation there is is getting worse and worse. Everyone is dangerous. So, like that is one time I went into the counselor's office and like I end up like crying a lot in front of the counselor and they sent me to the, you know, wellness office and they introduced me to a therapist.

Glad Lynn:

Oh good, yeah so they really helped me. Dbc really helped me a lot in at my at times when I really needed help and my mental health was like very turmoil. That time, I would say, because I I have a lot of things and the biggest thing is there is like a point like where I cannot go back to my country because like, uh, my father used to be like you know, he worked for the government like in the past, but how, so like, and I did mention that we were living in the capital city where the everything is like in their center. So there were, like I would say, threat, threatened things from the military, government, military yeah military government that's related to me and my father and my family.

Glad Lynn:

So there, because, like I will stay involved in those political campaigns, like online and and like I do some donations and like they are really that is against the military government. So like there is a turning point where I got to know that it is really dangerous for me now.

Charley:

So you get to stay here.

Glad Lynn:

Yeah, so. So there is like, so this is the point. I was like, should I really say no? So, like I was like, should I really say no? I was like, should I really? Like a lot of people do that, but like it's applying me as applying. I was like searching for the opportunity and like choices, what I need to do at this point and like a lot of people suggest me to do, to apply the asylum here.

Glad Lynn:

But, however, I don't really feel good and I don't really feel comfortable to do that, to actually decide that to to do that decision, because, like, I don't feel comfortable, because I feel like this is asking help for another country and I don't really feel legal for myself.

Glad Lynn:

I mean, like it's not illegal but, however, it took me a lot of mental, mental challenges, so, like I don't really want to do that actually because I I at the at the time, I still feel like that is my home country. I feel a lot of guilt, like guilty enough to escape the country when my friends and like other peoples are fighting against, fighting for democracy, against. I was selfish enough enough to escape and I am public enough to study, continue my study. And like, also, yeah, I have challenges, but those are for my life. Those are people who can't even do prioritize their own life.

Glad Lynn:

So I feel very selfish and guilty and like that decision was kind of maybe the biggest things. Like, uh, going on, I was like, should I really do this? I don't really want to do that. Actually, this is my very honest reaction because, like if this, if this podcast, and like if this thing go to my country, there will be people who will be like she's just selfish, she just did that, she just did that. So, yeah, that is not wrong, but, however, it took me a lot of mental challenge too.

Charley:

You had to do soul searching.

Glad Lynn:

That's true. I feel guilty. Yeah, this is my very honest words.

Charley:

I feel guilty.

Glad Lynn:

Yeah, this is my very honest words. I feel guilty, I feel very selfish and I feel that I really, you know like uh, how do I?

Glad Lynn:

I do really do have my respect on those people and but, however, that that was one of the biggest thing I was going through. So, like I that's that's what I say like that, that time was the lowest mental points of my life. I was like my classes are, I was doing bad in my classes, I have jobs, studying to have job, and like like I was leading people in a club, like a lot of people, for the first time in my life and I was doing, I was going through like a lot of decision-making process. That is, those are the turning points of my life. So a lot of things going on in my life. And also I started to realize that I have to figure out the financial, financial things too, because, like my parents, they, they can support me for the tuition fee in the college, but I have to.

Glad Lynn:

That was my second year of college, so I have to start to think about where I'm transferring, what am I going to do after college. And I started to started to understand the process here and the environment here, the college things, everything, the pathway. So like I have to decide a lot of things at the same time. And I began to understand a lot of things, a lot of things going on in my mind. I was like very turmoil and like I was crying and crying and crying those days. But however, I would say, like I really thank DVC for giving me a free therapist session it's not free, it's like it's like a three month, two month session so like it really helped me a lot. But, however, I did a lot of decision making those time and but however I did, I would say I was proud of me that time because, like everything went out really well. I did all the things. Like you know, my class I didn't get a D. I passed that class with like an A or B. I got it back.

Charley:

So you got into therapy. You were able to survive all those things and actually thrive because of it.

Glad Lynn:

Yeah, so I was like and everything became like. So that's why people say like time, time is the answer. You just need the time to process everything. So, like, you don't need to be like in a hurry, you have. You have to think. I'm that kind of person who did something really fast, like because I am a very active person. But, however, that time I realized you need time, you need to think and it's okay to take time and it's okay to feel not okay you know what those are?

Charley:

two very, very wise things there. Um, yeah, it's it. Time that's one thing I understand at this end of my life is time is one of the most precious gifts, and it's good to take it that's true, and then it's oh it in. One of the most important things is understanding.

Glad Lynn:

Sometimes you're not okay yeah, you know, and that's tough yeah, and I'm like I would like to say thank you to my therapist because, like I learned, like those things I never know, like it's okay not to feel, okay and also, uh, my feelings are valid yes I never.

Glad Lynn:

Actually, as an asian, I would say this is kind of stereotypical things. But like as an asian and like like I was grow, I was growing up like thriving, to get like a and to be the top of the class, and like I was like feelings are not that important when I grew up. So I was like it's okay, I, I need time, I need to rest, like and I'm feeling sad, like sometimes. Like before that I was like why I am struggling, like one of my main problem, my mental problem, is like why I'm feeling this thing in my mind, why I, when I am the probably one. That was my problem. I was like I'm probably enough and like why I am sad am one. That was my problem. I was like I'm probably enough and like why I am sad. Am I allowed to this feeling like this? Because people say that, like you know, there's a people who are going through a lot more than me compared to me. So I'm comparing, like the comparing thing is the problem.

Glad Lynn:

But however I decided this is my life. I have to decide it myself. I am leading my life, I'm on my own. So I started to understand things little by little and it took time. But, however I everything was solved, not easily, but however, everything was done and it didn't go in a bad way. Nothing go in a bad way, nothing go in a bad way. So I was really proud of myself that time, for thriving through that and surviving through that. All the thing Well good.

Charley:

So you get into your second year, you finish up and now you're working in the international office. This is your job, job. So what does the future look like for you?

Glad Lynn:

okay.

Glad Lynn:

So, um, I would like to answer your question, but before that I would just want to like talk a little bit about how I finished school and like I would say that sorry, I didn't mean to rush you ahead, so no sorry yeah so the thing is like um, yeah, my second, my second year, it was also like I there's something I also talked to you last night when we talk about it like I, I, when I, whenever I saw new students, I I told them like in the I I sought out like days, your days in usa, like six months period. I always do that. In your first six months you are lost. You don't know anything and like you don't even, you don't understand what are you feeling? Sometimes like you're feeling homesick or you're actually feeling heavy. You're, you're, are you feeling freedom or are you feeling homesick, like you don't understand, in the first six months. But, however, in your second six months, that's where the story begins. Like you started to understand the struggle and the re-adapting and adjusting things and like you started to understand what you need to do. That's where you became, your minds began a little bit complicated, like, oh damn, you have like the reality hit, like I have to do it. And in your thought, in your third six month, that is like where your second year, where my, where all of my everything happened. It's like in that second six month is the time where you do everything like, like in your second six month is you just doing the thinking process in your third six month. Six month is you do everything. You do everything. That is the hardest part.

Glad Lynn:

So, like you, you will feel like very mentally challenging and like emotionally challenging and but, however, after that six month, I would say like like fourth six months is where you feel numb. You feel like you have challenges every day, so you feel like you don't feel that it's like in a special way anymore, because you feel like, okay, yeah, I have to solve this anyway, I have to solve this anyway. Like that's when my father, when he do a video call to me, like your face, look like you're, like you don't care anything at all, like your face say that. So I, I have to solve this anyway, I have to solve this anyway. Like that's when my father, when he do a video call to me, like your face, look like you were, like you don't care anything at all, like your face, say that. So I was like that's kind of true, I am not afraid of anything anymore.

Glad Lynn:

But that doesn't mean like I don't have any difficulty. I have difficulty and I'm just getting used to it and I just understand that. I have to no point of me being sad and like being, you know, like lost in this, like everything and I kind of understand everything will be solved. So like that is the time and like in my that and then after that I am going to an end like I finished my school, I I was like near to the graduation and that that time I applied to the university, so I applied to a lot of csu and like I found my dream school that time it's not dream school, but like where I should go. It's like I was thinking about csu, long beach and san diego state university okay so I applied those and I got admission actually to.

Glad Lynn:

I applied like five school and I got admission to all of that. But however, however, I decided to withdraw everything because of the reality check with I didn't do the reality check with my parents that they are not, they won't be able to support me through the university life. So I was like, okay, I could give it a try, like next time, and I could just work because, like at this time, I got my work permits and like work authorization and everything, and like I can live here in the united states. So I was like, okay, I would just wait for it, wait for my time, like next time. And also, my dream school is ucla actually oh, ucla or probably uc berkeley.

Charley:

As a business student I want to get into the high school but, however, I want to go to socal more so well, yeah, my daughter, my youngest one, grew up here and then she ended up attending a small college down in uh or uh chapman chapman university down in orange, which is by it's about eight miles from disneyland.

Glad Lynn:

So yes, yeah, that's a very like a famous one, because I, I, I, I also do some research about it yeah, so yeah, so, yeah.

Glad Lynn:

So I was like I really what I uh san diego and csv long beach are, uh, my favorite school, but however not my, you know, like first choice one. I want to go to uc, of course. So I was like I didn't get a chance to apply to uc that time because I was like I know I can't afford it, so I don't. I just didn't give it a try so I just go do the you, the csu.

Glad Lynn:

But, however, when I do the check with my parents, like it turns out like that, okay, I could just took that year and I could just work and I I can give it a try later. So that later state didn't come. Yeah, so, like I would, I would try this, so like so. But right now I am like here I am after graduation. Dvc international students office is very, uh, kind enough to offer me the job or like a job position in the office and I can continue to work with my work authorization, even though I'm not a student worker anymore and not a student anymore. So I'm working right now at the office and also I'm doing some other part-time jobs, my side hustle to cover my own experience and, like, the main thing is like I I just want to stop asking for money from my parents, who are struggling in a civil war country, I would say and also I still have my sister who is still going to the college here, so they still have to so is your sister coming here now, or?

Glad Lynn:

no, she, she is already here. Oh good, yeah, she came here.

Glad Lynn:

After one year, I came here okay so right now she is staying in dvc, so she still has to go a long way. So, um, the thing is like the the country situation right now. My country situation right now is really bad, I would say, because, like the dollar exchange rate are, like you know, thrice fold off when I first came here. So like one dollar is like like around 2000 myanmar jet when I first came here, but right now it's like around seven thousand oh geez so it's like very different right now.

Glad Lynn:

So I want to support my sister to finish her school. The the only thing is that I don't I just don't want to ask for more money and make my parents feel difficult about the financial anymore because, like their main priority, I think right now is for their safety a lot of people being leaving their home because, like the, the war is right now really intense between the military coup and our, the people.

Charley:

So so, uh, you got stress going on at home. You're taking a gap year.

Glad Lynn:

That's true.

Charley:

So I had a question in there. Oh, okay, so you're having the opportunity. So one of the things I see is you have the opportunity to help people that are coming in from Myanmar and also serve as kind of a beacon of light, because I think you were the first one, at least as far as we know that.

Glad Lynn:

That's true.

Charley:

And so how was that working? I mean, do people call you up or they just kind of wander into you or talk a bit about that? What does that look like?

Glad Lynn:

Yeah, so, like I used to, there is like a education like an, not an agency. It's like a. It's founded by a burmese, uh, one of my friend who is going to usc, so he do like education. Uh, how should I say?

Glad Lynn:

it's like a organization like where a lot of where burmese student studying abroad like all over the world. They do like free consultation to uh those new people who are thinking about leaving the country and like studying abroad. So like I do a lot of consultation session uh with students like they are, like they just wonder how is the college life and like transfer things and everything. So like I do a lot of consultation session through that education organization for a few years right.

Charley:

So imagine now you're gonna go back, right, yeah it back back to when you were thinking about this, right? Yeah, imagine how useful that would have been when you were doing this. It probably would have been a lot different. Do you use a lot of your experience on? You know, basically the grunt work and the hard work that you did to find these things out on your own. Do you use that and all the struggles that you've had? Do you use that as an opportunity to talk to these people about what they can look at?

Glad Lynn:

But, like usually I, as an opportunity to talk to these people about what they can look at or um but, like usually, I just go on the fact, just the fact, like how, what you do, how do you apply? And like, how is the pathway here? And like the system, mainly the system, because we are not familiar with the system here. So that is my main approach and, yeah, I I kind of put in my own you know my own experience too and let me just expose myself. Like that is like my dad's side, because, like, sometimes, yeah, very like rarely, rarely, rarely sometimes I sometimes think of like um, sometimes people are asking me some weird questions, like sometimes I think, like you know what this is.

Glad Lynn:

I I just think it's too much up for my time. I, I know I have to find this answer by myself, but you guys, you guys, you have me and like other people answering you questions. Sometimes I just feel like this is kind of unfair. I, those were days I feel like that, but however, I understand like we have to help people and like it's not like me, like pioneering or something. But however, yeah, I am also a human being and like a lot of emotions. So I have those dark side emotions like, um, this is so unfair I have when, at my time, I have to do it myself, but you guys are like so lucky, something like that. So that is not good, but like yeah.

Charley:

Well, and really you have the opportunity to help them so that they because they're going to have their own challenges- that's true. And it's like, why not help remove some of the early ones? I know that some of the things I've heard over time has been you know, one of the greatest things you can ever do is take advantage of of like office hours with the professors. Take advantage of the other services, like you did with health and wellness, or yeah, the wellness center.

Charley:

And a lot of people. They get to college. They're used to high school, which here in the United States doesn't have any of that stuff. So they get here and it's just all of a mystery.

Glad Lynn:

So yeah, yeah, so like that is why I'm enjoying my jobs right now at the international students office, because, um, yeah, what I just said, like, just said, is like it's just one of my very small little subjects I've been. However, most of the time, what I think of it is like I am just taking the chance to share people what like to make their story like, to make their like wanderings, to like long, to short like because I, at my time, I took it took me a lot of times and strength to find out something about that, I mean.

Glad Lynn:

But, however, I really want to help people out like they. They found something valuable and they do know the resources like more easily, not like me. So that's why I, that's what I said, that's what I told to the international students office. People like I'm very glad because, like I can help people, I can answer their question because I was once the kid with the, I was once the student with the question with a lot of question marks and I know nothing and I'm familiar.

Glad Lynn:

But right now I'm familiar to everything, I almost everything. So this is my chance to help people out. So, like, actually people say, like I this, okay, so this is kind of like I'm not bragging. But like people are saying, like I'd really like to help a lot, like like just I just do, like just taken for granted for them, like because I feel like it's my responsibility and it's my joy to help people out, like for free, yeah, of course. Like, and also I feel the joy, like I I there's a there's been a lot of students from barmer and from other country like I help them, like connect with more people and like like sometimes, like you, like sometimes I, you know, find the housing and I give them a lot of information, like my casual and like formal.

Glad Lynn:

My formal job is at the office answering those questions, but, however, also outside of my office hour I do the same thing.

Charley:

Yeah.

Glad Lynn:

I do the same thing.

Charley:

Yeah, Because yeah.

Charley:

So if what would be like two pieces of advice that you would give someone We've had a lot of great nuggets in here. I mean, I like the one with your first six months. You're just kind of here plugging away. Your story begins at the second six months and I think that's brilliant, because I think that probably applies to a million things jobs, just life in general. You know, you know time is one of the greatest, you know, one of the greatest assets you can have. But let's, let's imagine for a moment you had to give. Like we'll just go with one nugget that you're going to give to somebody. You know, it's like they're coming in, they're brand new, they just showed up today, right? What would you tell them? What would be like the one thing that you would say that you know, if nothing else, walk away with this.

Glad Lynn:

That's kind of difficult, but yeah, so yeah, as we know, everything is difficult, but, however, I would say, like, just get up and do it, so like I mean what I mean, I know.

Charley:

I mean, oh, I get it. It's like, first of all, that's, I have a thing on my, my bicycle, for when I'm climbing the hill, because I'm kind of an old, fat guy. So it's like, but it says, but no, it just says, harden the up, you know, because it's just gut up, go do it, you know I mean I use the buff, like do it's me like you have like search for it, ask for it, go for it.

Glad Lynn:

You know like, yeah, but like there were, there are a lot of resources, there are a lot of. There will be some people helping you, willing to help you, but, however, to find those people, to make those people, you just have to it takes you yeah it takes you, so like there will be a lot of challenges, but, however, for me, as a very active person, I really love to meet people and so, like that will, you will be fine, but, however, it takes a lot of you, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Charley:

So, in other words, suck it, you'll be fine.

Glad Lynn:

Yeah, yeah, you will be fine, but like it can take a lot, it might.

Charley:

Okay, yeah, well, great. Well, this has been a lot of fun. I really appreciate your time.

Glad Lynn:

Sure.

Charley:

And we'll sign off with that and we'll see what this