Scholarship Students’ Journey to Studying Abroad

Mr. Thay Sokun began his studies in China one year ago. After graduating in five years, Mr. Sokun hopes to come back to Cambodia to 

help with road construction, since his current major is in civil engineer. 

 Mr. Thay Sokun and Mr. Thoeun Mony Vicheka both were able to accomplish their dreams. One year ago, they both were just FasTrax students who thought about studying outside of Cambodia, but never felt like they would ever get the chance to do so. 

However, things have changed. Mr. Sokun, 20 years old, is currently studying Civil Engineering at Tianjin University (TU) in China. While Mr. Mony Vicheka, 19 years old, is studying General Medicine at Friendship University in Ho Chi Ming City, Vietnam.

After finishing high school, both students were uncertain that an academic study in Cambodia would be possible. But the talents of both men made it possible for them to beat over a thousand students in a competitive competition for the UC scholarship. They both were former Samdech Techo Hun Sen-Dr. Haruhisa Handa National Scholarships recipients. 

With one year of UC study behind them they were able to pass the exams that enabled them to carry out their life long dreams of studying abroad. Mr. Sokun said, “I decided to study in Vietnam because I think that currently 
Vietnamese medicine, surgeries and medical treatments are advanced and of a high quality if compared to Cambodia and other neighboring countries.” 

Although they have chosen different majors to pursue and study in different countries, the drive for both students is the same. “I decided to study abroad because I want to make a valuable contribution to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Armed with a Chinese education I feel that I will be able to improve social developments, infrastructures and engineering in Cambodia’s future,” stated Mr. Sokun. For Mr. Mony Vicheka the most important reason to study abroad was also to create a better future for his country. “First of all I want to be part of the rebuilding and development of Cambodia’s professional workforce, by being highly educated myself. But most importantly I want to be of service to the Cambodian people by working as a doctor in a public hospital.”

At TU, where Mr. Sokun studies, there are students from 29 different countries in Asia and Europe. This multicultural environment is perceived as extremely stimulating by Mr.Sokun. “Besides being very valuable and interesting on 

 

   Mr. Thoeun Mony Vicheka is currently studying    in Vietnam. 

its own, the diverse people I’ve been in contact with on a daily basis have also improved my English skills a lot. I feel so fortunate for the chance to develop myself and to study with and befriend people from all over the world.”