“At the end of last month I enrolled in a quiz at American Corner. There were ten questions within the paper, and those questions talked about Barack Obama's life. In the afternoon when I went to check the result, I was informed that I had a 100 per cent pass and that I would get a reward,” said Heng Prim Rathana, a student of the University of Southeast Asia University in Siem Reap.

American Corner opened at the university last December and US Ambassador William E. Todd presided over the inauguration of what was Cambodia's fourth American Corner.

Heng Prim Rathana told Insider that every month since opening, American Corner has held a monthly writing contest for students to win rewards and at the same time improve their skills.

American Corner also has a special program, Conversation Café Group, for students to practice daily speaking with many topics about themselves such as self-introduction, family, friends, favorite things or activities.

“We students have a lot of fun and I got knowledge and experience from other students in this program,” Heng Prim Rathana said.

Sien Sovanna, president of the University of Southeast Asia, said the US provided $65, 000 for building construction and materials, and provides $13, 000 every year in aid.

“American Corner provides information on English teaching, including student advising materials, links to university admission and scholarship websites, TOEFL-SAT-GRE-GMAT test information, and student visa information,” Sien Sovanna said.

“It will provide anything that students want such as a diverse collection of English language books and materials focusing on the US.  The collection provides current and reliable information on various subjects, including American studies, history, culture, business, law, politics and democracy.

“The collection also has CDs, videotapes and access to several electronic data-bases and several computers with guided internet access,” he said.

At the opening ceremony, US Ambassador William E. Todd said that this library will play an important role in helping students study English and will help reinforce friendship between Cambodian and American people.