“I grew up in Zhemgang, the youngest in my family. My father was in the army and has now retired. My mother is a homemaker. We didn’t have much growing up, but I had big dreams — even if they didn’t always make sense to others.
After graduating from Paro College of Education, I taught at Little Dragon Primary School for five years. But teaching wasn’t the only thing I did. For about seven years, I also danced at Drayang. I used to teach during the day and dance at night — not because I had to, but because I loved performing.
But that part of my life wasn’t easy. Many people, even those close to me, couldn’t understand why I chose to dance. Some judged me. I had to fight hard to earn respect — not just as a dancer, but as a person who deserved to be taken seriously.
Along the way, I also explored acting and anchoring. I acted in two films, and in 2014, I won “Best Newcomer Actor” for Ga Gi Lab Mo. I’ve anchored about six singing shows — and the most unforgettable moment was hosting one in Perth during His Majesty the King’s visit. It felt like everything I had worked for had brought me to that stage.
Eventually, I moved to Australia and completed my Master’s in Community Development at Murdoch University. Now I work in Perth as an Assistant in Nursing, mostly in aged care facilities. I’ve also worked as a cleaner, a floor assistant — I’ve done what I had to do.
Life abroad isn’t as perfect as it looks in pictures. It can be lonely, exhausting, and uncertain. But I keep going — because every step I take is part of a larger journey.
Some people say I haven’t achieved anything big — but I have. I’ve lived the dreams I had as a young girl in Zhemgang. I became a teacher, an actress, a dancer, an anchor, and now, a graduate. That’s big to me.
My purpose keeps changing, but one thing hasn’t — I still want to go back home one day. I want to teach again. I want to anchor again. I want to entertain, inspire, and create better spaces for young dancers in Bhutan who want to follow their passion — without fear or shame.
Because I’ve lived that life. And I know what it takes.”
By Keazang Choden
