A-Eight-Year Bachelor Degree
Graduated from high school in July 2011, I, Yann Panha, planned to look for some jobs in Phnom Penh due to financial conditions, social norm, and lack of information. That sounded unfamiliar to other people who got ready to get other degrees, yet it was great for each villagers which could support their families. Surprisingly, there was an unexpected thing happening. I got a scholarship from a university in Phnom Penh named Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC) which offered by Lok Ta Kol Peng, a very generous, compassionate, and heartful person. Hence, a new journey had begun
Starting on October 01, 2011, I got into the college, yet I must attended Intensive English for Academic Purposes (IEAP), multi-level language training program required, as prerequisite for entrance into PUC academic program. That was the first hard thing to challenge for a countryside bod as me. Everything was an English-based, such as speaking, writing, class materials, and etc. Also, basic need like shelter, food, electricity, water supply, and so on were the hardest things I had to deal with. I rented a room which stayed with a few people, so that we could share rental fee, water, and electricity bill.
Due to financial support issue in my family, I had to look for a job to earn some money. Then I got a first job in mid January 2012 as a Security Guard. Since then, there were two significant things needed to be done, getting survived and being educated. I supposed to work full time, from 06:00 - 14:00, without any holidays and took classes in the evening, 17:30 - 20:30. I felt really proud of my first career which I could be able to support all my study, living, and small part for my families.
With that first career, my boss, resident owner who is American citizen, really supported me such as, time, study materials, some allowances, and food.
So that I could have more time to focus on my English classes and challenge with other students. I worked really hard with my classes and enjoyed along with my journey as a university student and Security Guard. That really taught me to be smarter, stronger, and tougher in this society. Time was moving forward. Many classes had been finished while many were on my way.
In 2014, I changed my career. I was a Data Collector at National Social Security Fund (NSSF). I worked under short term duration contract which supposed to collect data from garment factories where located away from heart of the city. There were more responsibilities and more challenging with my new job. Thus, I got to school late and started dropping some classes in each term.
Time had flown. I kept going to school everyday even some terms I took only two or three subjects. At the meantime, my contract finished, and I change my career in mid 2015 to banking sector such as ANZ Royal Bank, ABA Bank, and Maybank Cambodia Plc.
Graduation is not just an achievement with a piece of paper but it gives us a sense of accomplishment and recognition after the hard work and dedication with countless hours of lectures, tests, reports, and assignments. The day has finally comes, I graduated from Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia majoring in Business Administration. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support from my Mom, Dad, brother, relatives, friends, Professors, and stakeholders. There is no word to describe their supports besides saying thank you.
