A young Cambodian who found a job overseas is Ken Keun, who started out in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2007. 

Keun, 28, returned to Cambodia in 2010, worked for six months at the Sofitel hotel and then returned to Dubai.

For the last six months, Keun has been employed at the So Spa at Sofitel Macau.

Macau is a former Portuguese colony at the southern end of the Pearl River delta, while Hong Kong is located at the north end.

Keun describes Macau as a small city with a lot of hotels, casinos and entertainment - and not many Cambodians.

Originally from Kandal province, Keun was born in 1983, one of five children in a farmer’s family.

“I always come back home to Cambodia once or twice a year for vacation,” he said.

He said he was “always passionate” about his job and tried to find ways to make his work a success.

“I have gone through a lot of experiences with hotel hospitality and different departments in the hotel industry and it is very easy for me to adjust to new environments, new people and new countries because I am flexible and a fast learner.”

While originally in a supervisory position at Sofitel Macau’s So Spa, Keun has recently been promoted to assistant manager with responsibility for sales and marketing.

Keun said he loved working for a Sofitel which has properties on five continents with 120 addresses in nearly 40 countries. His dream is to be a hotel manager in the future.