What Major Should I Choose?

What major I choose does not matter but the matter is how I should choose one. I am not very different from most Cambodian students who are not quite sure what to study and work which I wish I knew or had this book to guide and inspire. For my experience, there are three points for choosing major and career. First is talent. If you are super good at something that normal people cannot do like singing or inventing something, you should absolutely pursue it but if you cannot find your talent, it is wise to keep finding and trying different things to discover your likeability. It is something that makes you happy when doing it despite being paid or not. So again, try many activities or events to explore yourself. Last is strength. It is about knowing yourself what you have learnt best at school or outside. Is it English, leadership, management skill or others? You should ask yourself and also ask people who are close to reflect your strength.

  

I have been to around 15 countries on scholarship and it results from my commitment on education in school and community so never give up on education even I am from a middle-income family because believe me, it will change your life, your family and community. I am so grateful that my mother would always support my education but your family is in a very critical financial situation, you still should never give up education because there are many scholarships and NGOs out there who are willing to help so keep fighting and finding your way out! 

My secret to succeed in my scholarship is be like a monkey! I joined any events or programs as much as possible and then I built up my network and be inspired by successful people. I have worked my ass off to achieve what they have done as well. Volunteerism has always been a part of my life. I have learnt so much from the book at school but nothing teaches me more than doing community work where I learn at best about the real world. Volunteerism doesn’t only help your community but also help you to succeed scholarship because the committee seeks for individual who cares and gives back to their country.

Last but not least, be monkey and give back to our community!

University of life is Exchange Program

To begin with, it is not just an exchange program but life changing experience. I would call it “University of life” because those experience I have earned cannot be obtained at school. Traveling thousands miles, I exposed to different culture, lifestyle, food, value and more, which urged me to be more open-minded to accept and appreciate the differences through living with other European and international Erasmus students.

Indeed, argument, problem, hardship or culture shock inevitably happened but these very experiences have strengthened my interpersonal skills to live in a foreign country with complete strangers from divergent background, then become very close friends. In addition, maturity gradually grow as I become more independent and responsible for every single thing in my daily life for one great year. Those activities included planning for housing, visa, flight ticket other legal document needed, shopping, cooking, schooling and travelling.

Meanwhile, I seized chances to try so many new exciting activities in Europe that could never been done here. At one time, my friends and I went on road trip from Riga to Paris on New Year. I also went on homestay at my buddy’s grandparent’s farm in rural part of Latvia. Those were unforgettable and exciting experience I could ever asked for.

All in all, I have learnt and grown enormously and sincerely appreciated the program; hence, I fully and strongly encourage eligible individuals to never let go of this golden opportunity. Last but not least, my only three magic tips that I used, and hopefully it is helpful for other applicants: 1, WANT the scholarship SO SO bad 2, actually DO your very BEST 3, good LUCK J

Experience Sharing With Writing Alliance

Reflecting back, I would always wish to have someone who would advice me on what I should be studying or doing in my life, yet there are none. I had to think very much and honestly, I studied what is broad such as International Studies since I do not know what exactly I would like to do. This major is so broad when at the end of the day, I still do not know what I want to do. 

Therefore, I joined Bopha with writing alliance team to share experience and inspire high school students at Kompong Cham Province. I shared my personal story and some of them related to their own stories and started sobbing during the Q and A session. I hope I inspired them well and they can start to trigger their thinking of what they want to do in life! By the way, they are very friendly and lovely!

FUSAAC Project (Radio and YSEALI)

You are never too small, never too young, never too late to contribute to your society. After coming back from Erasmus, I took a break like a few months. Then I decided to stand for program direct of FUSAAC and then, I was selected as UGRAD Program Director. So, I took two projects: Radio Program and Indochina Bus Exchange. But, the exchange program will take place this November. Radio talk show is a 3 months project starting from 01 June to 01 September 2014. Basically, it is a live show where we invite guest speakers to speak on particular subject. Callers will be taken and discussed with MCs and speakers on the topic accordingly on 95.7 FM Reaksmey Hangmeas Radio. All the topics focus on “Youth and Career which they are at their best”. A huge number of Cambodian Students is still doubtful about choosing major and career since high school or even in university, they are still not certain on which major or career they can do at their best so the radio talk show acts as a platform where information about option of major and career are being discussed and advised.

Meanwhile, I joined YSEALI project at Krojes for bamboo plantation an Eco balls.