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Cambodian Students Association in Japan (CSAJ)

CSAJ Newsletter Issue No.1 May 5, 2010

Content:

• A Courtesy Visit to the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Japan

•Panel Discussion

• Graduate and Farewell Party

• A Cherry Blossom viewing picnic • Khmer New Year and Welcome Party

• “Sharing Experience” Interview with former Graduate Students in Japan • CSAJ 2010-2011

Newsletter team

Ms. HENG Sopha

Mr. CHHUN Chamrong

Ms. SARAN Sopha

Editors

CSAJ committee

Sport event–friendship building In order to strengthen the relationship among our students as well as to make more fun,

CSAJ/CSAK would like to invite you all to join our Sport event which is going to be held on 22nd May 2010 at Higashimurayama, Chuo Park.

You can enjoy outdoor activities and other team building games. For more information please visit our webpage:

http://www.csaj-khmer.org/newsite/pdf/2010/sport-event-final.pdf

A Courtesy Visit to the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Japan

On January 31, 2010, with the consent from His Excellency Hor Monirath, the ambassador of Cambodia to Japan, CSAJ new committee members accompanied by CSAJ’s board of advisors paid an official visit to the Royal Embassy of Cambodia. The purpose of the visit was to introduce

the new elected committee members of CSAJ-2010 mandate to the ambassador and to strengthen the relationship between CSAJ and Cambodian Embassy.

Panel Discussion

1st Issue: January - April

To share the general knowledge of how Cambodian students, the future human resources, can contribute to Cambodia, CSAJ’s first Panel Discussion titled “How can Cambodian Students studying in Japan directly and indirectly contribute to the development of Cambodia?” was held on March 7, 2010.

With the presence of the panelists from Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Japan, NGO representative and former CSAJ presidents, an interactive discussion, focusing on the topics concerning to the problems faced by Cambodian nowadays and students’ roles in the future in the development process of Cambodia, was smoothly and successfully conducted.

Panelists: Dr. Vuthy Monyrath, Mr. Iem Puthviro, Ms. Dibbie Krisher-steelir Coordinator: Dr. Yi Siyan Participants ~ 35 students



Front row from left to right: Mr. Iem Putviro, Ms.Heng Sopha, Mr. Uy Visal, Mr. Ou Chanrith, Mr. Ly Narun, Mr. Chheang Vun, Mr. Ly Kimlieng, Ms. Thak Lany, Ms, Chea Kimtha and Ms.In Chanborey

Graduation And Farewell Party On March 7, 2010, with an honor presence of special

Cambodian delegates, the house of representatives of Cambodia and Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Japan, CSAJ held a graduation and Farewell party to congratulate the graduates for their academic achievement as well as to thank them for their so far contribution to the students’ community.

There were about 36 graduate students in Japan, some of whom will return to Cambodia, while some will continue their study to the upper level. H.E Chheang Vun, the head of the delegations also highly

expressed his gratitude to the Japanese government, who always befriend with Cambodia and give scholarships to our students to improve the Cambodian human resources.

A Cherry Blossom-Viewing Pinic On April 4, 2010, Students in Kanto, including the new comers, gathered at 代々木 park to see the beauty of Cherry Blossom(桜), a tradtion of Japanese in Spring. It was not only a time to

visit Cherry Blossom but an especial occasion to meet each other and relax after tension of studying and working for a whole year.

Khmer New Year and Welome Party As tradition of Khmer New Year and to welcome new comers to Japan, CSAJ/CSAK 2010 had

celebrated a party on April 18, 2010. With an honor presence of delegations from the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Japan lead by

Ms. CHEA Kimtha and more than others 200 guests including Cambodian Students in Kanto and other regions, the Japanese NGOs representatives and many other international friends and families, this year’s party was joyfully celebrated.

In addition, there were also Trot dance and fashion show performed by our students. This celebration was not only to show Cambodian tradition to the foreigners and to welcome the new comers, but also to make a platform for all the students to gather around and made more fun.

Such celebration was also held by our representative in Kansai on April 10, Kyushu on April 18 and Nagoya on April 17, 2010.



“Sharing Experience”

An Academic and Social Life of Graduate Students in Japan Dr. YI Siyan Education 2001: Medical Doctor Degree from University of Health Sciences in Cambodia 2007: Master Degree of International Health Sciences (University of Tokyo) 2010: Ph.D Degree in International Health Sciences from the Department of Community and Global Health, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Japan Other achievements: 2009 awards The Montreux Prize, Young Researcher Award and Research Award of Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo

The following is the interview with Dr. YI Siyan (S) conducted by Mr. CHHUN Chamrong (C).

C: Why did you decide to choose Medical doctor? S: Well…it was a long story. My teachers at elementary school said that I was born with a merit of being a medical doctor.

During my childhood, eventhough I had no confidence in working in any other areas, I had a will to become a good doctor.

Toward this dream, I started some French extra-classes at the age of seven, and I put all my effort to the subjects required for the entrance exam of medical university. Fortunately, my dream came true, and then I spent eight years at the University of Health Sciences. C: Could you tell us what you learnt from this subject? S: After graduation, I had a great opportunity to work for a tuberculosis and HIV control project run by JICA in collaboration with the National Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control (CENAT). During the assignment, I travelled to almost every corner of Cambodia, and I could see many people in rural areas living in a miserable condition. Seeing such a situation, I started thinking about, as a health professional, how I can contribute for a better health condition of the poorest.

Coming across this thought, I decided to transfer to work for Sihanouk Hospital, Center of Hope (SHCH), in which free medical services were provided to poor people. As a clinician, I enjoyed my work, and I was so proud of myself for having a

chance to serve the right in-need people. However, we could help only less than 30% of an average of 300 patients who were waiting to be selected. Many people came from faraway provinces with food and waited for days, weeks, or even months. Seeing such an image, I realized that we could contribute very little to health condition of people if we just sit and wait for the patients in the hospital. People who could even hardly find enough food for their family afford for the medical care in the city in which ways and how? This was a significant reason motivating me to give up my childhood dream of being a clinician and move ahead to become a public health practitioner and a researcher. C: As your reputation and contribution remain, you had been voluntarily worked as a president of CSAJ in 2005. Could you please tell me why and how could you achieve that? S: Thank you for this good question. This is what I always want to share to our friends, especially, to our newcomers. It was my first experience to come to Japan, and I knew very little about this distinguished country. I was so worried about where I was going to stay and how to use a train to go to school. Unexpectedly, many CSAJ members were waiting for and welcoming us at the airport. Many other friends were again waiting for us upon our arrival at the dormitory and helped us to settle down. They took us around to get familiar



with transportation system and public facilities for our daily need. Such a heart-felt support became an unforgettable memory in my whole academic life down here. Being touched by this sort of friendship, I automatically devoted myself for this student association. I committed myself to do everything I could for our friends, and I felt that we were not just friends but more brothers and sisters. I was seeking for an opportunity which enabled me to serve this community. Six months later, I was encouraged to stand for a candidate for the position of CSAJ President despite the fact that I knew very little about this association. Although my ability was limited, I could enjoy my work with strong encouragement and support from our seniors and colleagues.

C: What do you think your experience with CSAJ gave you? S: Excellent I could say. It was an important page of my life painted with hardship and success. I would never ever forget it. I could learn a lot from this voluntary assignment. I learnt how to build up myself as a leader. I learnt how to get people around involved by using my heart rather than materialized benefits. I was so happy to see my friends working together with smiles for our community and loving each other like brothers and sisters while we were away from home. I was so glad that while struggling with my academic constraints, I could share my life with a group of people for whom I wish to devote for. C: What is your plan after this graduation? S: Graduation has changed my life I could feel. Graduation has taken me away from student life

and from my beloved friends in Japan. My life has turned to a new page, being as a professional. However, I am hoping that I would be able to utilize my knowledge to serve poor people and bring them a better life away from diseases. I am hoping that I would be able to live up with my dream of becoming a key person for a change in public health sector in developing countries. From May 2010, I am going to work for the National Institute of Public Health as a researcher and a lecturer at School of Public Health. Meanwhile, I will teach graduate students in some universities while working as a consultant for some international organizations. I am also still thinking if I should spend some years as a research fellow in the US or Australia. It would depend on my work condition over here. My future plan would be looking for an opportunity to work for a UN agency such as WHO or UNICEF, so that I could have a greater impact on the health of people worldwide. C: Last but not least, could you give some advice or share your experience of your successful academic life today to other Cambodian Students? S: Hmmm…I could not say that my academic life was very successful, but I satisfy with what I did in Japan. I could earn what I expected to, and I enjoyed sharing my life with both in and out of school friends. What I always wish to tell my friends is that studying abroad is a good lesson for life. We should utilize this opportunity effectively for our future professional life. Please try to keep yourself in a good balance in academic and social life. While absorbing academic-related knowledge from school, you should also learn how to survive in a multicultural environment. Please open your heart to the world. Please try to adjust people based upon their personality, not on their skin color, language, or their races. My philosophy for a successful life is, “Learn how to love people and learn how to be loved.” Finally, let me take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all our friends in Japan. Without your support, encouragement, and love, my six-year life over there would be difficult. I miss you all.



Mr. Se Vises A bachelor graduate of Electronic Systems Engineering at Polytechnic University, Japan.

The following is the interview with Mr. SE Vises (V) conducted by Mr CHHUN Chamrong (C)

C: Could u tell me about your Scholarship, and how to apply for it? V: This Scholarship is the government scholarship, established in 2004 under Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Though in 2004, only the workers in the ministry could apply for the entry exam, and none of Cambodian applicants could pass the exam at that year. From 2005, the requirement was changed, so all students who graduated from high school under the age of 34 are able to take this exam. The information about this Scholarship can be received at Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training near IFL. The registration is opened around January. There are two times of written tests without interview. The test subjects are maths, physics/chemistry and English. The applicants have to choose between physics and chemistry for a science exam. The successful applicants will be informed in July and go to Japan around the end of September. The granted scholars will receive Japanese language proficiency with other foreigners for 6 months before going to the academic year. C: How did you find your life in Japan, both academic and social life? V: Well, to my real experience, I didn’t satisfy much about my life here. Maybe it is because I was the first Cambodian student who came to study at Polytechnic University without seniors` instruction and help. I and my companion had lack of information and knowledge of the real social life. I meant our personalities were quite different from most students, since we were from the poor families. I personally felt that some Vietnamese, Laos and Thai students did not want to join us and gave no help. Meanwhile, at the first year, I had such a lot of difficult times. First, I seemed not to get along well with my companion. I

also had a stomach ache since I was in Cambodia and it worsened as the result of coldness and food. It didn’t get any better although I had tried various hospitals. My family also had some trouble at home. Such a pressure, I realized myself that I was falling into one disease, called “stress”. One year passed by, and my first juniors came. They, finally, also fell into the same state as mine, through their different personalities and their family`s situation. They found hard to adapt with the environment around here. As a result, it pushed my commitment weaker, and I started losing hope gradually and gradually. Fortunately, my Malaysian friends introduced me a Japanese religion, called SGI. SGI believers were so helpful to me. They taught me how to be calm and relax. Also, from my second year, everything started to be settled down, for my optimistic and kind juniors came. I met many Cambodian students in Kanto, host family, and CSAJ. Since that time, I started to take part in the social activities and get to know many people. For the academic life, I could do well because I used to study physics, which is the foundation of Electronics. However my Japanese Language wasn’t good anyway. C: Upon returning to Cambodia, what would you like to do? V: I am recently working as a lecturer assistant at National Polytechnic Institute of Cambodia for the government, under Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. After the two years` experience of teaching, I plan to apply for a scholarship abroad to pursue my master degree. What I am focusing much on now is to bring what I learnt in Japan to put into a practical use and share them to my students here.



C: What is your message to our Cambodia students here? V: You may realize that there are lots of things you can experience in Japan. But to my individual opinion, you should avoid wasting your time in playing games, watching too many movies, and then let your study time passes behind. Time passes so fast. It is so fast than u can realize.

Last but not least, I think it would be better if u try to know as many people as you can and keep a good in touch with them. You must need some help from each other in Japan as well as in Cambodia. Use your time effectively and expand your knowledge. Your hardworking will return back with a big prize or pride.

2010 CSAJ Standing Committee 1. Ms. Heng Sopha President 2. Ms. Leang Sokhom Sub-Chairman 3. Ms. Chim Solyda Sub-Chairman 4. Mr. Cheamphan Viriya Sub-Chairman 2010 CSAJ Executive Committee 1. Ms. Heng Sopha President 2. Mr. So Yada Vice-President 3. Mr. Leng Vandy General Secretary 4. Ms. Aing Heak Tohoku Regional Coordinator 5. Mr. Hak Pheara Academic Officer 6. Mr. Nom Bunnartih Student Support Officer 7. Ms. Saran Sopha Public Relation Officer 8. Ms. Som Chanthida Protocol Officer 9. Mr. Eath Chansokphea Financial Officer 10. Mr. Peng Minea Internal Auditor 11. Ms. In Chan Borey Cultural Officer 12. Mr. Ny Sokhour IT Officer 13. Mr. Yem Vibol IT Officer 14. Mr. Chhun Chamrong Press Officer CSAJ Activities (summary) 1- General Assembly: 12 Dec. 2009 2- CSAK General Election: 02 Dec. 2009 3- CSAJ General Election: 10 Jan. 2010 4- Visit the Royal Embassy: 31 Jan. 2010 5- Farewell & Graduation Party: 07 Mar. 2010

6- Picking up Newcomers : 02 Apr. 2010 7- Hanami Event: 04 Apr. 2010 8- New Year and Welcome Party: 18 Apr. 2010 CSAJ Next Coming Events 9- CSAJ Sport Event: 22 May 2010 10- Student Seminar: Late July 11- CSAJ Charity Event: Late July CSAJ Projects http://www.csaj-khmer.org/newsite/index.php?option=com_conten

t&view=article&id=153&Itemid=164&lang=en

12- CSAJ Essay Contest: Open 13- CSAJ Help Our Community Project: Open 14- CSAJ Rural Primary School Fund: Open

Participations Make thing Possible!!!

©2010 Cambodian Students Association in Japan (CSAJ)

CSAJ Newsletter aims to create a platform of dialogue to share and exchange ideas, information and stories among all Cambodian students studying in Japan. For any inquiry regarding the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact the editors: Mr. CHHUN Chamrong: [email protected] Ms. HENG Sopha: [email protected] Ms. SARAN Sopha: [email protected]

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