Graduate Profile: Htaywai Naing, MTS '23

Memorable Moment  

On the first week of class registration, I was so nervous and excited about which courses I should take for my first semester. All the classes are so inspiring and so exciting for a student who comes from a country that doesn’t have an education system. Luckily, I got in contact with Susie, the Associate Director of the RPL program from HDS. She invited me for coffee at The Little Crepe Café on Oxford Street. I remember the first question she asked me was, “What courses are you taking this semester?” Choosing a class at Harvard was by far the most exciting moment for me. I was indecisive at the time about whether I should take a course that was familiar to my previous studies or take advantage of being at Harvard by taking a new class that was foreign to me. After talking with Susie, I decided to take a risk and take the "Religious Literacy" class. It was the best decision that I ever made at HDS. Through this course, I found my passion for humanitarian work. That led me to do my summer internship at USIP. I now realize that meeting Susie at the coffee shop changed my career path to humanitarian work. 

Favorite Class or Professor 

I enjoy taking classes at Harvard from different schools (HDS/ FAS/ HKS/Chan School and Tufts Fletcher School). One of my favorite classes was Professor Hallisey’s "Theravada Buddhism" class. I have learned Theravada Buddhism all my life but didn’t understand what Theravada Buddhism means and how Theravada society functions in day-to-day practices. Michael Ondaatje’s "Anil’s Ghost" inspired me to deeply understand the intersectionality of politics, religion, culture, and colonialism in Theravada society. I began to think about why there is so much violence in Theravada society. 

Message of Thanks  

First, I would like to thank the Ho Family Foundation for allowing me to study at HDS. As a guy who did not finish high school back home, I never thought I would be studying at Harvard. Then, I would like to sincerely thank Professor Hallisey for helping me academically improve, and, more importantly, to live without worrying about the return to my home country. He always asks me, “How are you?” not casually, but sincerely worrying about my situation in this new country I have never been to. Your kind support really means a lot to me in continuing my studies at HDS. In fact, I would like to thank Professor Janet Gyatso for believing in me so I could continue my studies from Special Student to the MTS program. Last but not least, a few friends I came to know at HDS, Emily, Yisi, Haley, Haley, Naomi, and HBC community; other friends, thanks for making my life meaningful. 

Future Plans 

I will intern at the International Rescue Committee in San Diego for immigration and refugees. If the plan goes well, I would like to do more humanitarian work. If not, I will be learning how to make sushi so that I can survive in a new country. Whatever happens, I am so excited to embrace new challenges in life.