Hong’s Study Abroad Journey: From Cambodia to Australia with Eynesbury College and UniSA Scholarships in Digital Business

Hi there! My name is Hong, and I am from Phnom Penh­­­—the capital of Cambodia. I have always dreamed of studying abroad and pursuing my life goal independently. I am currently in my final year of my Bachelor of Digital Business at the University of South Australia (UniSA), where I learned how to design and apply digital solutions to business challenges, which I think is an emerging and critical field to understand.

Scholarship Details

Accepted Scholarships:

• Eynesbury College Scholarship­­—20% deduction of the tuition fee—Eynesbury College
• International Merit Scholarship—15% deduction of the tuition fee—UniSA
• Accenture Innovation Academy Merit Prize—AUD 2,500—UniSA

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

Non-Accepted Scholarships:

• International Pathway College Scholarship—15% deduction of the tuition fee—University of Tasmania

Educational Background

In the high-school national exam, I achieved a grade of A overall. While studying Diploma of Business at Eynesbury College, I achieved a high GPA of 6.88 with an award for Academic Excellence. This study establishes a solid foundation in the business field and prepares me to consider a more digitally enabled business field as a major at the university. Later, I pursued a Bachelor of Digital Business with a focus on digital transformation and solutions, in which I achieved a 5.92 GPA overall with the Accenture Innovation Academy Merit Prize. I also love learning different languages; currently, I speak Khmer, English, Mandarin, and Thai.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Australian Institutions?

Research the institutions: It might sound general; however, most institutions will have accurate information on their website. Looking into degrees, majors, important deadlines, requirements, tuition fees, and scholarships will offer a broad understanding of the institutions. In addition, watching some videos on social media or YouTube about the institutions offers a clearer insight into your daily life while studying.

Talk to someone: It will be beneficial to talk to an agent, an alumnus, or the school representatives to grasp the important information and obtain confidence in applying to the institutions. Notably, it is highly essential that you communicate with the school directly. They will always have a team to respond to your inquiries.

Prepare documentation: There is an overwhelming amount of documents needed, from your visa application to the school admission. Start early with your English test and high school transcripts and ensure you have everything you need.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for these Scholarships?

While my scholarship is automatically accessible when applying, it is highly recommended that you have all the required documents. Most importantly, achieving academic excellence on the transcript, high English test scores, and excellent extracurricular activities will land you an even higher deduction.

How Does the University of South Australia Do to Support International Students?

The institution has an International Department just for international students, so studying there felt a lot less pressured.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

• Academic Excellence
• English test proficiency
• Personality

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

• Research the institution more deeply
• Find an alumnus or current student to talk to

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

• “Always be brave to pursue what you want. Be unique because you do not need to follow other’s leads; everyone is different.”
• Achieve good grades in high school
• Achieve high scores on English tests
• Take the application seriously: write the application with care, academic language, and originality (Be yourself).