What is BARS?

“LEARN TO EARN. EARN TO LIVE. LIVE TO SERVE.”

-Rev. Dr. Simon Pau Khan Ein-

(President of MIT)

BARS is an educational program, a great challenge for the young people in Myanmar for 21^st century. In other words, BARS program is a gift from God to the entire person who learn, teach, hear, serve and share. Different life styles, colour, religions, opinion, interests and ethnic groups include as one spirit in BARS.

What is BARS?

By Bob Winter

BARS: The Grand Experiment. This is how I describe the BARS Program to people who ask, “What is BARS?” It’s an experiment in participatory learning, where class projects, internships, music competitions, and countless other activities are encouraged. It’s an experiment that fosters a sense of belonging. It’s an undergraduate program that responds to changing times and meets the changing needs of its students by continually updating and improving that curriculum. BARS is a program that evolves.

After five years as a faculty member in the Department of English, I can say without hesitation that the experiment called BARS has been a success. To students, the program is much more than attending classes in order to earn a degree. To faculty members like me, it is much more than teaching courses such as poetry, drama, short story, or film. The BARS Program somehow works its way into one’s heart. Everyone involved becomes a member of the BARS family-a growing community of individuals committed to serving the needs of others, regardless of their faiths or ethnic backgrounds.

As a foreign teacher, I can also say that I have seen nothing like the BARS Program. Not here in Myanmar. Not in South Asia. Not in America, my native country. The level of enthusiasm and creativity I see among students is second to none. Most consider it a privilege and a pleasure to learn. They rise to the occasion with every project we take on, no matter how crazy the idea or how demanding the work involved. Their sincerity and commitment to performing to the best of their abilities inspires me to no end.

The BARS Program provides a lot to its students. It broadens their minds, encourages them to think critically, and prepares them to take on leadership, positions. Graduates have become successful in their fields, and many return to support the program as teachers or in other capacities. Even so, I feel that BARS has given me more than it has to our students, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute what little I can. Watching the program continue to grow, prosper, and bear fruit, and knowing that I played a small part in its success, is one of the most satisfying experiences I have ever had.

-Robert W. Winter Jr.-

Visiting Professor, Department of English (BARS)

Why do I teach at BARS?

By Saya OJ

It’s neither for the money nor for the air-condition classrooms with the latest technology. It’s the people at Religious Studies that make me want to keep coming back – people like Saw Pawlu (Dean of BARS) and my fellow teachers in the English Department, and most of all the students! What would BARS be without the students? Even though they sometimes drive me crazy by coming late to class, being too shy to talk, speaking in mousey whispers, or handing in late homework; they also often stimulate me with their creativity, corporation, and eagerness to learn. I enjoy diversity at BARS- the chance to meet students from many different ethnic and language backgrounds. Particularly in linguistics we get to learn about how we use language in this multi-lingual country and how to translate messages from one language to another.

A short trip to Chiang Mai reminded me of why I teach at BARS. I met former students on the airplane working as flight attendants providing cheerful, efficient service in English and Burmese to passengers from many different backgrounds. In Chiang Mai, I met former students successfully earning advanced degrees. Several were volunteering their time on weekends to teach English. The thing that stood out to me was that they were all planning to come back to Myanmar to share what they’ve learned and to serve their families, churches, communities, and country. It made me proud to be a BARS teacher.

That’s why I teach at BARS - to invest in students who will in turn invest their knowledge, skills and time in serving the people around them.

-Oliver James-

Department of English (BARS)