Name: Kay Klo
Pronouns: She/Her
Class Year: 2020
Major/Minor: Undecided
Hometown: Utica, New York
How do you like Mount Holyoke College?
I applied to MHC Early Decision because I really liked the location, educational opportunities it provided, financial aid package, and I wanted to be in place where women would thrive and learn together as they pursue their dreams. My first year at MHC was great. The transition was pretty easy for me because I am only 3 hours away from home, and I made great friends who I genuinely enjoy being around. Plus, I really enjoyed what I was learning.
What are your hobbies?
I like to stay active by biking and going on runs. I think being active really helps me to destress, and I especially love going on runs around the lakes on campus because I appreciate the beauty around there. I love listening to good music, especially the Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, and Spanish music.
What makes you happy?
I love eating my mom’s cooking because she always makes traditional Thai and Karen food, which are very spicy and have strong flavors. She makes some kick-ass Pad Thai and stir-fry curry dishes. I really enjoy learning about things I am interested in or passionate about, like human rights and different cultural practices.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am undecided currently but I am really interested in Anthropology and I enjoy learning Spanish, so maybe I will pursue them. I also like Politics and Critical Social Thought, so right now I am just going to take classes I like and see where that leads me.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about giving back to my community and my education. I think it is really important to use our skills and knowledge to improve our communities. I also think education is the key to my liberation because knowledge is power and can be a force for positive change in our world.
Would you like to tell us a little bit of your background? Has this influenced what you are passionate about?
I am a refugee from Burma. My family and I fled from Burma to Thailand, then we came to the US as refugees in 2004. Being a refugee has influenced me to pursue a career where I can be an advocate for those victims of violence and war. To me, it is quite unfair for people to suffer from our unending oppressive social systems.
Could you explain how your name was formed?
My name Kay Klo in English but my real name is Ghe-Glo in Karen*, which means extremely skinny because I was obviously an extremely skinny baby. In the Karen culture, there is no such thing as a first name and last name, so when I first came to America in 2004 my name was split in half to form a first name and last name. Thus, they came up with Kay Klo, which was the best thing they could pronounce since my name is very difficult to pronounce in English.
What are your values in life? Your hopes and aspirations?
One day, I aspire to use my education to be a force for positive change for everyone around me, and especially those who are oppressed. The skills and knowledge I learn at Mount Holyoke will provide me with the tools necessary to achieve what I set my mind on.
*The Karen people are a minority group in Burma. The language they speak is called Karen as well.
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