Naw Diana

Originally from Myanmar, Naw Diana graduated with a Master of Agribusiness from Massey University, a journey made possible through a scholarship funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  

“I got a scholarship… otherwise, there’s no way I could afford to study here,” she shares. 
Arriving in early 2023, Diana quickly discovered the academic path wasn’t an easy one. “It was quite a challenging journey – a lot of sleepless nights and struggle, especially with the thesis. But I overcame it all.” 

“I couldn’t go back to my country because of the political situation. There were organisations that helped with data collection, and my parents and friends were always supporting me.” 

Diana’s resilience is matched by the pride she takes in her accomplishments, not just graduating but now working as a tutor at Massey University. “Thanks to my supervisor, I was able to get a job here. That’s one of the most proud moments too. I worked so hard on my thesis, and now they can see that.”

Her family’s support has been constant. “My family couldn’t be here with me today, and I especially wish my mum could have been here to witness this moment. But even though she’s not physically present, I know she would be incredibly proud. Her constant support has been one of the biggest reasons I made it this far.”

To future students, Diana offers this simple but powerful advice:  

“Come here and experience the journey; you’ll achieve a lot.”