Chet Kanhchna, 20, a student at the Institute of Foreign Languages and at the Institute of Economics and Finance, has had only one dream – to become a songwriter since she was a child – perhaps an odd wish given her choice of study.

“There are many reasons why I want to be a songwriter. Most of all I love singing, writing and Khmer literature. My family encourages me to follow my dream, my mum, especially.” Kanhchna explains.

Each profession is special but songwriting even more so, on Kanhchna’s opinion. She says that “a songwriter can transform what happens in real life and society to romantic music. If we write an ordinary text, there is no rhyming, intonation and romance which are needed in songs. When listening to a painful song, the listener has to feel equally painful. ”

Kanhchna has concrete plans to pursue her dream career:

“If I can become a songwriter, I will try to find a style unique to our country without copying from our neighbouring countries. Under no circumstance will I ever copy from others, I will use my own ability and ideas to write even if I may face future criticism. ”

So far, Kanhchna has already received praise for her own songs that she has uploaded onto YouTube.

She admits: “I believe it comes [praise on YouTube] from my innate talent. I haven’t attended a proper class at school or obtained guides from any teachers or experienced person. But to become a good songwriter, I lack many things. I need guidance from experienced songwriters.”​