The Borderless Podcast

Post-Coup Myanmar: What is life like for Overseas Burmese? - with Brandon Aung

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Before the 2021 coup, Myanmar was experiencing rapid economic growth (more than 7% per annum), with poverty falling from 48% to 25% between 2005 and 2017. This growth attracted many overseas investors that were attracted by the opportunities in the country.

However, this growth has reversed drastically with the event of COVID & the coup. Listen to this podcast episode to get some insights into what life & opportunities were like pre & post-coup in Myanmar.

About Brandon Aung

Born in Myanmar, Brandon quit medical school to pursue his passion for finance in Australia. However, he was unable to find a finance job as an international student (I’ve discussed this problem in a prior podcast) but he managed to secure a coveted private equity investment role back in Myanmar.

Unfortunately, Brandon left his home country after the 2021 coup and in this podcast interview, he details his life pre & post-coup as an overseas Burmese that has made his way around Australia, Sri Lanka & Thailand (topics & timestamps below).

More episodes here: https://bordersless.com/

Brandon's Life as an International Student in Australia

  • 0:00 - Intro
  • 1:00 - Brandon's background in Myanmar. Why he came to Australia
  • 3:31 - Was it hard to find a job in Australia as an international student?

    • Moving Back to Myanmar

    • 5:50 - Why did Brandon move back to Myanmar?
    • 9:40 - What happened post-coup in Myanmar?
    • 11:50 - Why were international companies investing in Myanmar pre-coup?
    • 13:45 - Myanmar's ethnic groups & conflict?

      • Moving to Thailand

      • 17:30 - Why Brandon moved to Thailand & how he got stuck in Sri Lanka
      • 21:40 - What it's like trying to get a job in Thailand & his process for securing a Fortune 500 role.
      • 26:45 - What is the business landscape in Thailand like? The vibrancy of life in Thailand.
      • 29:30 - What's day to day life like in Thailand as an overseas Burmese? How do you compare your life in Australia vs Thailand vs Myanmar? Pros & Cons

        • Life as an overseas Burmese currently

        • 36:40 - What are other young Burmese doing (doctors / young professionals etc)? Both domestically and abroad?
        • 40:40 - Did you ever feel discriminated as an overseas Burmese minority?

          • Future Plans, Startup Chat & Conclusion

          • 43:05 - Brandon's future plans? Taking risks, startups, & returning to Myanmar?
          • 46:11 - What is Thailand's startup scene like?
          • 50:45 - What would Brandon do if the situation in Myanmar improves?
          • 52:00 - Some chitchat. The background to BordersLess, why I set up a YouTube channel/podcast. Conclusion
            • ...more
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