said.
She hopes the rate of progress speeds up in Myanmar.
"I want to see general equality," she said, referring both to sexual and ethnic equality. There are more than 135 ethnic groups in the country, and some are looked down upon as unworthy of respect, she said.
Her country has been experiencing civil war on and off for six decades, and violence continues in some areas.
Myanmar will need much help to become a developed nation, Bo Mee said. "I feel like we're very behind other countries, educationally, economically and socially," she said.
Enkhbayar
Enkhbayar, 20, was born in western Mongolia in a family of camel herders. She moved to the capital of Ulan Bator at age 5 with her parents, who left for the city after a brutal winter killed most of their animals.
Mongolia was under communist rule for more than 70 years, which ended with a peaceful Democratic revolution in 1990. A new constitution was adopted in 1992.
Enkhbayar doesn't remember those days, but her parents sometimes tell stories of what life was like under communism. "Life is mostly better under democracy," she said.
Her mother works in the tourism industry and her father works as a chauffeur.
Enkhbayar is a student at National University of Mongolia, studying linguistics and German studies. She wants a career that will help to promote cultural understanding between nations.
In Mongolia, girls are more likely than boys to continue their schooling, Enkhbayar said. "Parents think boys can take care of themselves," she said.
She previously visited China and India, but this is her first trip to the United States.
She's surprised at the amount of food served at meals in the United States. She said she gained several pounds in her first week here. Food shortages used to be common in Mongolia, although they aren't as common these days, she said.
Religion in Mongolia was discouraged under communism, but religious faith is growing again.
Many Mongolians are Buddhists. Enkhbayar is Christian, although she doesn't regularly attend church. Some Christian faiths, including Mormonism, are growing rapidly in Mongolia, she said.
Enkhbayar is eager to see more change in the country's schools.
Some people who were teachers under communism are still teaching, and their lessons haven't caught up with the changes in the country, she said.
Women had equal rights with men under communism, but there are problems with sexual harassment of women in workplaces, she said. "I wish women could be more educated about their rights, but it's better compared to 10 years ago," she said.
Her parents' living conditions have changed dramatically over time. They live in the city with their children and grandchildren. "They seem really happy now. They were proud about me being able to go to the United States," Enkhbayar said.
Mongolia experienced an economic growth rate of 17 percent in 2011, she said, giving residents much hope for the future. "I'm quite optimistic about things," she said.
facebook.com/tribune.margaretfosmoe
Staff writer Margaret Fosmoe:
mfosmoe@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6329
She hopes the rate of progress speeds up in Myanmar.
"I want to see general equality," she said, referring both to sexual and ethnic equality. There are more than 135 ethnic groups in the country, and some are looked down upon as unworthy of respect, she said.
Her country has been experiencing civil war on and off for six decades, and violence continues in some areas.
Myanmar will need much help to become a developed nation, Bo Mee said. "I feel like we're very behind other countries, educationally, economically and socially," she said.
Enkhbayar
Enkhbayar, 20, was born in western Mongolia in a family of camel herders. She moved to the capital of Ulan Bator at age 5 with her parents, who left for the city after a brutal winter killed most of their animals.
Mongolia was under communist rule for more than 70 years, which ended with a peaceful Democratic revolution in 1990. A new constitution was adopted in 1992.
Enkhbayar doesn't remember those days, but her parents sometimes tell stories of what life was like under communism. "Life is mostly better under democracy," she said.
Her mother works in the tourism industry and her father works as a chauffeur.
Enkhbayar is a student at National University of Mongolia, studying linguistics and German studies. She wants a career that will help to promote cultural understanding between nations.
In Mongolia, girls are more likely than boys to continue their schooling, Enkhbayar said. "Parents think boys can take care of themselves," she said.
She previously visited China and India, but this is her first trip to the United States.
She's surprised at the amount of food served at meals in the United States. She said she gained several pounds in her first week here. Food shortages used to be common in Mongolia, although they aren't as common these days, she said.
Religion in Mongolia was discouraged under communism, but religious faith is growing again.
Many Mongolians are Buddhists. Enkhbayar is Christian, although she doesn't regularly attend church. Some Christian faiths, including Mormonism, are growing rapidly in Mongolia, she said.
Enkhbayar is eager to see more change in the country's schools.
Some people who were teachers under communism are still teaching, and their lessons haven't caught up with the changes in the country, she said.
Women had equal rights with men under communism, but there are problems with sexual harassment of women in workplaces, she said. "I wish women could be more educated about their rights, but it's better compared to 10 years ago," she said.
Her parents' living conditions have changed dramatically over time. They live in the city with their children and grandchildren. "They seem really happy now. They were proud about me being able to go to the United States," Enkhbayar said.
Mongolia experienced an economic growth rate of 17 percent in 2011, she said, giving residents much hope for the future. "I'm quite optimistic about things," she said.
facebook.com/tribune.margaretfosmoe
Staff writer Margaret Fosmoe:
mfosmoe@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6329