1. Tell something about yourself.
Here’s something most people don’t know: despite being in tech, I still panic every time my friends casually ask, “Can you help fix my computer?” But beyond those moments of quiet terror, I’m someone driven by curiosity and the belief that opportunities aren’t just meant to be taken; they’re meant to be created and shared. This mindset is why giving back to my community and uplifting those around me has become such a core part of who I am.
As a fourth year Information and Communications Technology student, I’ve found ways to give back. I volunteered with the U.S. Ambassador’s Youth Council (AYC) for Insight Tech Festival 2024, a one day event bringing together exhibitions, discussions, and hands on learning opportunities to help youth, especially fresh high school graduates, explore the tech world and connect with industry experts. I also took a leap outside my comfort zone to become a trainer and mentor for Youth Sparkathon in Siem Reap, a competition where high school students work in teams to develop creative, feasible solutions to social problems. Despite having no prior teaching or mentoring experience, I wanted to challenge myself and try something new. Guiding participants through training sessions as well as collaborative teamwork to spark their creativity, and getting to witness them propose impactful solutions was incredibly rewarding and taught me just as much as it taught them.
Over the years, I’ve stepped into roles that have stretched me, humbled me, and taught me that success isn’t merely measured by what you accomplish alone, but by how many people you bring with you. At my core, I’m simply someone who wants to grow, contribute, and help others rise alongside me because real fulfillment doesn’t live in achievements alone. It’s in sharing the happiest moments with the people you cherish.
2. Could you tell us about the achievements you are most proud of?
I’ve come to see success as something earned through effort and sacrifice and definitely not something to lose all your sleep to, although I’ll admit I haven’t always followed my own advice on that last one. It’s not just about the finish line; it’s about the blood, sweat, and tears that transform the journey into a story worth telling. Earning my fully funded scholarship to AUPP became one of my greatest accomplishments because of what it allowed me to do next. It lifted the financial burden from my family, giving my parents peace of mind, as they no longer carry the weight of worrying about my education, which makes every late-night study session worthwhile. But beyond that, it gave me freedom. The freedom to co-found TosTov, a food discovery platform empowering small food vendors to boost their digital presence and reach customers effortlessly, which became a Top 8 Finalist in both Techo Startup Center’s DPA program and The Faulkner Challenge, and SkySweeper, a coastal waste management solution that became a Top 7 Finalist in UNDP’s EPPIC challenge. It also gave me the freedom to lead diverse teams, compete internationally, participate in exchange programs abroad, and focus entirely on creating impact. I’m proud to say that this opportunity wasn’t just financial support; it was permission to dream bigger, fail harder, and build boldly.
3. Could you tell us about one thing or experience you encountered that changed your life?
It’s funny how the most life changing moments often hide behind small decisions we barely think about. For me, that moment came when I said yes to joining AIESEC, a casual thoughtless decision that I never imagined would become one of the most transformative experiences of my life. When I first joined, I had no idea what the work involved or how profoundly it would shape me. I simply followed my friends’ recommendation without much thought, not expecting anything significant. But that small decision opened doors I didn’t know existed.
AIESEC introduced me to brilliant people from different backgrounds and countries. These were individuals who started as complete strangers but became teammates I genuinely connected with. We laughed, learned, and grew together in ways I never expected. Over two years, I built meaningful friendships locally and internationally, and it showed me how people collaborate and lead in real organizational settings. These were lessons no classroom could have taught me.
More than anything, AIESEC gave me something I didn’t know I was missing: confidence. It became the foundation that convinced me I could take on bigger challenges like joining competitions, leading teams, and chasing opportunities I once thought were beyond my reach. Looking back, I realize that sometimes growth doesn’t start with certainty or a grand plan. Sometimes it starts with the courage to say yes, even when you have no idea where it will lead.
4. Who is the person you look up to the most?
The people I look up to most are my parents. They’ve given me opportunities I could never take for granted, raised me with unwavering love and support, and taught me the value of hard work and integrity. Every achievement I’ve earned carries their belief in me, and I’m endlessly grateful for the foundation they’ve built for my future.
But I also couldn’t have made it this far without my friends. They’ve called me to join competitions, pushed me to volunteer, and challenged me to grow beyond what I thought possible. Part of who I am today is thanks to them, and watching their own growth inspires me to keep pushing forward too.
I also want to give special thanks to Dr. Ming, whose guidance and kind support have carried me through all four years at AUPP. He’s given me invaluable advice, helped me navigate challenges, and made this journey truly meaningful. To Professor Pisey, who patiently taught me finance and supported my team every time we came to her with questions, helping us understand the business side with such clarity and care. And a huge shoutout to Bong Naomy, whose kindness and willingness to help never wavered, even when I spammed her messages more than I probably should have. Thank you all for your patience and investment in my growth. It means more than words can express. I look up to each of you and aspire to be someone who guides others toward success, just as you’ve invested your time in mine.
Beyond people I know personally, I’m constantly inspired by the kindness of strangers. A simple smile, a thoughtful gesture, an unexpected act of generosity. These small acts remind me that everyone is fighting battles we can’t see, and it costs nothing to be kind. That’s the kind of person I aspire to be. Someone who shows up with compassion, because you never know what someone else is going through, and kindness can make all the difference.
5. What are the steps you took that led you to where you are right now?
I didn’t take a smooth path to get here. In fact, it was more of a zigzag, and I’m grateful for that messy journey. First, I dared to try, even when I felt unqualified or when imposter syndrome screamed at me to stay quiet. I still joined and competed, not because I knew I’d succeed, but because I refused to let fear make my decisions. Second, I dared to fail. Dr. Ming once told me, “Failing is not actually failing; it’s redirection,” and that mindset changed everything. Every pitch that fell flat, every project that didn’t work out, every moment I felt like I wasn’t enough. Those weren’t endpoints. They were redirections guiding me toward what actually mattered. And third, I dared to take the first step, even when the full staircase wasn’t visible. I learned that clarity comes from action, not overthinking. You don’t need to see the entire path. You just need the courage to move. Those three choices to try, to fail forward, and to start anyway are what brought me here.
6. What are the happiest moments of your life?
There are too many happy moments to count, but the best ones? They all have one thing in common, they were shared with friends and loved ones. Moreover, it’s the “firsts” that glow brightest in my memory. The first competition, the first birthday party celebrated at university, the first hangout, the first time we bonded over Mie Vanda, the first Youth Sparkathon, the first trip we took together, the first exchange program, the first win, and more. These moments became core memories not because of what we did, but because of who I did them with. The laughter, the inside jokes, the way we hyped each other up, and the shared struggles that came with them. I can proudly say that all these moments wouldn’t have been nearly as meaningful if they weren’t shared with the people I cherish. So if you ask me about my happiest moments, they’re not entirely defined by achievements or places. Rather, they’re defined by the friends who turned ordinary days into extraordinary memories.
7. Is there any advice to the people that look up to you?
To anyone who looks up to me, thank you. I’m honored, though I believe I still have a long way to go. But if my journey resonates with you, I hope it gives you the confidence to believe in yourself as well, because you’re more capable than you think.
Here’s what I’d want you to carry with you. Have the courage to dare to try things, even when it terrifies you. Don’t wait for permission or perfect conditions, or you’ll just keep waiting for months on end. Simply just start!
But perhaps the most important lesson is this. Your attitude and the people around you will take you just as far as your skills, maybe even further. One of the biggest lessons university taught me is that success isn’t only about what you’re capable of doing. It’s about how you show up for the tasks and roles given to you, and who you choose to surround yourself with along the way. A positive mindset paired with genuine, supportive relationships will open doors that raw talent alone never could. So invest deeply in building those genuine connections while you can, because as we move through different life stages, meaningful connections become increasingly difficult to forge. Skills might get you in the room, but your attitude and relationships determine how far you can go once you’re there.