Context

Since independence in 1948, Myanmar has endured repeated military coups, ethnic insurgencies, and regional conflicts, from clashes with groups like the Karen National Union and Communist Party of Burma to the suppression of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. These long-standing internal struggles deepened after the February 1, 2021 coup that deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government. The takeover sparked nationwide protests, armed resistance by the People’s Defense Forces, and renewed fighting with ethnic armed organizations, plunging the country into civil war. On top of this internal turmoil, Burmese people now face growing international restrictions. In 2025, the United States reinstated a travel ban on Myanmar nationals, halting most immigrant and non-immigrant visas and cutting students off from educational opportunities abroad. Other countries impose similar limits, further isolating youth who already endure disrupted schooling at home. Students often become a byproduct, struggling with limited access to learning, safety, and hope for the future.