Getting a scholarship abroad is possibly the greatest reward for studying hard. Ung Porsry, 24, an Institute of Technology of Cambodia student majoring in food technology and chemical engineering, has been honoured three times in a row!

By 2012, Porsry had studied on three different scholarships in three different countries: France, the Philippines and Italy. Porsry successfully applied for the international Erasmus scholarship program which brought him to France and Italy.

“Most scholarships are good for studying, but if we have the choice we can make decisions to get the best ones,” he says, adding that “the program I chose fits my background and my goal of obtaining a PhD.”

Porsry is now pursuing a master’s degree in Food Quality Management in Italy after studying in France for a year.

Porsry explains his motivation: “Cambodia is an agricultural country but it still lacks food engineers. The work of a food engineer, however, can lower the mortality rate and reduce sickness among Cambodian people due to more effective nourishment of the population.”

Comparing Cambodia’s education system with education systems abroad, Porsry states: “In our country, we mostly use our language, but abroad we are required to have the capacity to understand foreign languages. Studying abroad provides me with more knowledge and independence and also better equipment in the laboratories.”

He adds: “More importantly, the transfer of knowledge from lecturer to student is much more effective.”

Despite better education facilities, Porsry misses his family, friends and home country. But these challenges don’t stop him – on the contrary, he is trying even harder because he knows how Cambodia can benefit from the knowledge he is gaining abroad.

Once he comes back, he wants to be a lecturer or researcher on food quality in order to share his knowledge to Cambodian students.

How did Porsry get his scholarships?

In his final year at ITC, Porsry applied for a master’s degree by submitting the necessary documents to all the universities he was interested in.

To get scholarships, Porsry advises that “the applicant has to have a good motivation letter ready, language certificates, transcript recommendations and proof of relevant practical experience. Plus, be well prepared to know the requirements of every specific scholarship.”