Returning for Cambodia’s Development – Seang Sorya

Completing my Australia Awards Scholarship has been a significant milestone in my professional journey. Each assignment challenged me to push my limits, and I’m proud to have successfully navigated through all the rigorous terms. This accomplishment represents a substantial personal investment and a testament to my capabilities, which would not have been possible without the support of the Australia Awards Scholarships. I’m confident that this achievement will enhance my ability to contribute to Cambodia’s development and growth.

 

What’s the best thing I’ve done in Australia? Living abroad with my family while pursuing my degree in Australia has been a richly rewarding experience. My 9-year-old daughter excelled in a multicultural setting in a free public primary school, which will positively influence her future. I’m also proud of my husband, who chose to work part-time to prioritise our family, maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We also took advantage of the breaks between study terms to explore various scenic and historical sites around Victoria with friends and relatives. Obtaining our driving licenses in Australia afforded us the freedom to travel extensively.

 

I was fortunate to receive two placement opportunities through my university and Australia Awards Scholarships. These allowed me to work with a senior research team at my university and gain hands-on experience with a local company in Melbourne, significantly shaping my future career path. Furthermore, Australia Awards Scholarships offered numerous professional development opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, and other engagement programs.

 

What I’ll miss the most are the cultural diversity, safe and clean environment, climates, natural beauty, work opportunities, balanced lifestyle, and academic excellence that have made Australia an outstanding place to live. Australia has a lot of stunning landscapes, from immaculate beaches to lush rainforests. And Australian multicultural society is vividly evident everywhere, offering a wide variety of diverse cuisines, festivals, and artistic expressions. The country has a high standard of education, provides excellent resources, and actively implements research-based policies.

 

We loved the living lifestyles that promote a healthy work-life balance, with numerous outdoor activities, a relaxed atmosphere, and ample parks in every community. Besides the driving license we obtained, Australia’s well-developed infrastructure includes reliable public transportation, a high level of safety and cleanliness, and generous personal space. Finally, the pleasant climate, with Melbourne’s characteristic cool weather throughout the year, is much easier to handle than its dry, hot weather.

 

I’m looking forward to getting back to the flavours of food that I can’t get in Australia, like Amok, Prahok Ktis, Kuy Teav, and fresh tropical fruits, which are extremely expensive here. I’m also looking forward to immersing myself back into the rich cultural heritage of Cambodia, including traditional festivals, arts, music, and dance, and celebrating events like Khmer New Year or the Water Festival with my family and community.

 

Seang Sorya
Master of Nutrition and Population Health
Deakin University, Australia