1. Could you tell us about yourself?
I am Nhim Chhouby, a junior student majoring in international relations and diplomacy at the American University of Phnom Penh. Growing up in the province, I was always fascinated by global geopolitics news and history. I found my interest in IR after attending the Israel-Gaza conflict workshop hosted by Dr. Jose, a former IR professor at AUPP.
Beyond the classroom, I am active in social work and support gender equality, civil liberty, and environmental protection. I believe in equal rights and opportunity for all. I am part of the “Women, Peace and Security Agenda youth organization by Women Peace Makers. There, I founded the project called “Women in Politics” which aimed to raise awareness among young women and men to understand the importance of women’s representation. In environmental work, I am a youth advocate for an end to plastic pollution in Cambodia and renewable energy. I also founded the Green Miracle Project, which aims to raise awareness among young people about plastic pollution. In academia, I am an AYSE fellow in the 2026 public policy program, organized by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and have the opportunity to write a policy paper on public administration reform in Cambodia. Now I am so passionate about research and advocacy in the fields of political participation, institutional reform, & economic development.
2. Could you tell us about the achievements you are most proud of?
The achievement that I am most proud of is hosting my first public event for the Women in Politics project. Looking back, I never thought that I could turn my passionate ideas into reality. I used to dream of tackling the social issues I am most angry or upset about through small steps, such as starting a project or rallying young people to tackle it together. I was once a shy, overthinking individual who believed no one cared about the issue, and I was so afraid of being seen as too vocal about social issues. However, I didn’t expect to receive support from the Community for Southeast Asia club, the Women Peace Makers organization, professors, and AUPP to host the event. Even though it is a small public event, the message is clear: women belong at the decision-making table, and it enabled me to engage the Ministry of Women Affairs, active NGOs, and scholars to share their knowledge with the younger generation, who might not prioritize the issue. More than that, young women who lacked interest in politics once lacked role models, and the event brought inspiring women in the field to encourage them to pursue political careers.
3. Could you tell us about one thing or experience you encounter that changed your life?
My main experience that changed my life forever is a conversation on life purpose with my dad. My dad is the most important person who has shaped me into who I am today. He helped me find my life purpose. Growing up, he always told me the reason he sent me to school was not about wealth, but that education would allow me to help those who can’t help themselves. At a young age, I didn’t understand the full meaning of this wisdom. I didn’t take my dad’s advice seriously until I was in grade 10, when my grades were failing, and I felt so lost in life during COVID-19. In the moment of doubt, he shed light on me; he said: “Do you remember the reason I sent you to school? Because I believe you can be someone for somebody. With the education and opportunity you got, you can find meaning in life through impact and service.” That experience changed me as a person; it allowed me to redefine my life purpose. Looking back, I am so happy when I help others, even in small ways like teaching math lessons. Impact and service are broad life purposes that shape every decision I make later on. It is a fuel to keep me motivated and waking up every single day, the reason behind all my initiatives. After those conversations, I became more intentional about my education and future career, studied hard in high school, earned good grades, and got into a good university. Being educated is a tool that allows me to make a bigger impact, especially for those who lack knowledge and can’t stand up for themselves intellectually, financially, and legally.
4. Who is the person you look up to the most?
In academics, I look up to Professor Marc Pinol Rovira the most. I genuinely aspire to his professionalism, intellect, and kindness. He taught us to be analytical, professional, and deep in both oral and written work. At the same time, he helped students write analytical pieces and helped us publish the work that builds student credibility for their future professions. In class, he focuses on raising critical thinking, deep discussion, and analytical writing. He is intellectual and humble, the traits I always admire and want to be. His journey to Cambodia is very inspiring, proving that it is always the right choice to follow your curiosity, no matter what people say or think. Despite his busy schedule, he also supports students; he supported me on many projects, including the Human Respect Project, Women in Politics, 2 op-eds published in Cambodianess, and the Together We Remember event. He sacrificed his time and energy by giving advice, improving our draft, and connecting us to his networks. I am so grateful for his kindness and dedication in nurturing Cambodian seeds, and I am proud to be his student. Beyond academia, I have role models in both advocacy and politics, such as Golda Meir, Aung San Suu Kyi, and Kamala Harris, whom I admire for their courageous dedication and love for their nation. To me, they are heroes who sacrificed their entire lives to change their country and serve their people. In a male-dominated field, these women are remarkably resilient and strong-willed.
5. What are the steps you took that led you to where you are right now?
The first step that brought me to where I am today was enrolling at AUPP. Studying at AUPP transformed me from a student who focused on memorization into a curious learner eager to explore new ideas. Through my coursework, I discovered my interests in gender studies, political economy, democracy, and institutional reform.
The second step was joining the Students for Liberty Local Coordinator Program. This experience shaped me academically, professionally, and socially. Despite the challenges of promoting ideas that were not widely discussed, our team grew into one of the most active teams in the Asia-Pacific region. Through this journey, I developed leadership skills, built an international network, and gained opportunities to speak at educational events on topics such as democracy and freedom of expression.
The third step was joining the Young Generation Program organized by UNICEF and Impact Hub, where I founded Green Miracle, a youth-led initiative addressing plastic pollution in Cambodia. Through this project, I strengthened my leadership, project management, and networking skills while helping young people create their own awareness campaigns.
Another life-changing experience was joining the Community for Southeast Asia Studies (CSEAS) club at AUPP. The club allowed me to connect with inspiring individuals, organize educational events, and build meaningful friendships.
Most recently, being selected as an AYSE Public Policy Fellow broadened my intellectual horizons. The program taught me that identifying problems is only the beginning; designing practical policy solutions is the real challenge. Today, I continue pursuing research, advocacy, and public engagement while working toward creating opportunities for young people to develop their knowledge and contribute to society.
6. What are the happiest moments of your life?
The happiest moment in life is when I share the academic ideas I have been working on for weeks with people, and they understand and remember the concepts. The pure joy of hard work that paid off gave life meaning. I love research and dive deep into concepts, asking random questions at their root. However, if I can share those findings with people and they clearly understand the concept even on first hearing, it gives me a sense of fulfillment. Each presentation in class is always my favorite moment, when I can do what I love most: research and present concepts in a simple way that helps the audience understand. Beyond class presentations, I have also had the opportunity to serve as a guest speaker at a Students for Liberty event and on my own project, where I deliver talks on subjects of interest to me, such as democracy, freedom of expression, and the ideology of liberty. Another happy moment is spending time organizing events with the CSEAS club, which is full of amazing people with different strengths and unique personalities. I enjoyed many activities in the club, from meetings, outings, and education workshops, and especially the Together We Remember activity and the Women in Politics event. CSEAS is a vibrant community providing a safe space for young people to connect, grow, and make an impact as teams. This aligns with my purpose of offering service and making an impact on a wider scale. Looking back, I am proud to be part of the club and to continue contributing to my society.
7. Is there any advice to the people that look up to you?
If I had to give one piece of advice to young people in the field of IR or social science in general, I would say: define your life purpose, put in all your hard work, and enjoy the moment. The power of having a life purpose is extraordinary, since it is the fuel that keeps us moving forward in the face of doubt and difficulty. As long as we know our life purpose, it enables us to shape each and every action and milestone, which is the pure beauty of life: to pursue our life purpose. Having a life purpose and motivation alone is not a guarantee of success; you also need discipline and hard work. Motivation is short-term fuel, and discipline and hard work build character. However, the battle with yourself is the hardest one, as it determines your output and outcome. People are not their dreams or thinking; they are their habits. If you want to go far, you have to be disciplined, which allows you to win your own battles before tackling big goals. Being a hard worker and trying your best, even on small tasks, is the means to your dream. Lastly, enjoy the moment, and celebrating your small wins will keep you motivated and excited to take on the next challenges. Sometimes, achieving greatness can feel empty and numb if you move forward without acknowledging or enjoying the process. If you want to be in the game for longer and chase difficulty, you have to learn how to fall in love and find happiness in the process. Define your life purpose; it gives a sense of direction of where to go and what to improve. Hard work will bridge the gap between who you want to be and who you are right now, while enjoying the process is the fuel that keeps you on the journey to achieve your life purpose.