Five of our wards (Dalin, Ben, Micky, Daleine, and Malee) completed Grade 12 last August. They took their national baccalaureate exams in September, and we’re proud to report that they all passed, so they are now ready for the next step in their educational journey – university!
Together, these five young scholars explored what different universities could offer in terms of scholarships, schedules that align with their Little Hearts commitments, and, of course, the quality of education. After months of reflection, discussions, and valuable advice from everyone around them, and with plenty of research and campus visits accompanied by Tony, each student has made a thoughtful decision about their course of study.
Last week, Tony invited the five prospective university students out to lunch to celebrate their achievement and talk about the exciting road ahead. It was a warm and inspiring conversation as they shared their thoughts on why they had chosen their particular courses and universities, their feelings about starting this new phase, and their dreams for the future.
Dalin has decided to attend the Royal University of Fine Arts, where he’ll major in Graphic Design. “I chose graphic design because I really like drawing and painting. And I think trained graphic designers are in demand here in Cambodia,” he explains.
Ben is going to the National University of Management and will major in Banking and Finance. “I want to understand how money works—how to save, invest, and manage it,” he says earnestly. “Five years from now, I see myself working in a bank or other financial institution, helping families and businesses manage their money wisely. I also hope to be able to help support my family, Little Hearts, and contribute to Cambodia’s economic growth.”
He will be joined at the National University of Management by Micky, who will major in English. “I chose this university because it offers a lot of extracurricular activities for students, such as teaching practice, debating club, public speaking, and so on. These opportunities will help improve my speaking skills,” she tells us. “As for my major, I opted for English because I want to be a teacher one day, so I can help kids learn a foreign language. English is important for Khmer people these days because we have a lot of tourists and foreign investors here, so we must speak at least two languages.”
Daleine will attend Norton University, majoring in English for Business Affairs. “I really want to improve my English skills,” she explains. “When I finish university, I want to work somewhere with different people, with different companies. I want to be a confident speaker and good at entertaining people.”
Finally, Malee will also enrol in Norton University, but to pursue a degree in Creative Multimedia. “I chose this subject because I really love taking photographs, even though I don’t know all the right camera settings yet,” she admits. “I also like filming, animating, and other creative work.”
During the lunch, Tony encouraged them to consider gaining real-world experience during their studies, perhaps through internships or part-time work. Not necessarily for the income, but for the invaluable experience of being in a professional environment while still pursuing their education. The students were open and excited about this idea, seeing it as a way to connect what they learn in class with real-life skills.
We are proud and excited to watch these five youngsters embark on their new adventure. (They, too, are excited, but also a bit anxious about finding themselves in a totally new environment.) As they step into university life, we look forward to seeing them learn and thrive, not only in their studies, but also as they grow into kind, capable, and confident individuals.
Five more students enrolled in the university requires extra funding, of course, to cover their tuition and other educational expenses. So, if you or your company would like to sponsor one or more of these eager young learners and shepherd them on their road to success, please do get in touch with Tony (tony@lho.ngo) as soon as possible.
Here’s to new beginnings, new challenges, and a bright future ahead! Break a leg, kids!