How Chandaly Mao, a Cambodian Scholar, Secured a Fully Funded Master’s in Digital Marketing and Communications at La Trobe University Through the Australia Awards Scholarship

My name is Chandaly Mao, and I come from Cambodia. I currently work as a Communications Officer at the Mekong River Commission (MRC), a regional intergovernmental organisation based in Vientiane, Lao PDR, that brings countries together to manage shared water resources and promote sustainable development across the Mekong River Basin.

My academic journey began at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Media Management under the Cambodian Government Scholarship. I later pursued a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing and Communications at La Trobe University in Melbourne under the Australian Government Scholarship. In 2024, I also had the opportunity to join the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Program, which further broadened my perspectives on leadership, collaboration, and community development.

I have always been fascinated by the potential of digital communication to bring people closer to the issues that affect their lives. Unlike traditional one-way communication, digital platforms create opportunities for people to participate, share their perspectives, and become part of the solutions. This curiosity motivated me to pursue my Master’s degree, where I explored how strategic communication, digital technologies and audience engagement could influence behaviour, encourage participation and contribute to social change.

Looking ahead, I want to continue exploring the intersection of communication, innovation and systems thinking. I believe many of the social and environmental challenges we face are interconnected, and addressing them requires us to look beyond individual problems and understand the bigger picture.

Australia Awards Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Australia Awards Scholarship, funded by the Australian Government, to pursue my Master's degree in Australia, for the 2020 intake.

The scholarship covered my full tuition fees and provided additional benefits, including return air travel, a contribution towards living expenses, an establishment allowance, and Overseas Student Health Cover.

Beyond financial support, the scholarship gave me an opportunity to gain international academic experience, strengthen my strategic communication skills and broaden my understanding of how communication and digital innovation can address development challenges. I now apply this knowledge in my personal and professional life. I see this investment in my education as a foundation for my continued contribution to sustainable development in Cambodia and the Mekong region.

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

I was awarded a full scholarship under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellows Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State. Before travelling to the U.S., I participated in several online leadership training sessions and completed a series of online courses as part of the programme's pre-departure preparation.

My host institution was the University of Montana, and I was placed at the Missoula Public Health Department for a four-week professional fellowship. The programme provided an opportunity to gain practical experience, exchange knowledge with U.S. professionals, and strengthen my understanding of public health communication and community engagement.

Educational Background

I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Media Management from the Department of Media and Communication at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2015.

My undergraduate studies covered journalism, media management, communication theories, research, and broadcasting, providing me with a strong foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical communication skills. Through these subjects, I developed critical thinking, analytical and research skills, as well as an understanding of how media and communication influence public opinion and behaviour.

This academic foundation prepared me well for my Master's degree in Digital Marketing and Communications at La Trobe University, Australia. Many of the concepts and theories introduced during my postgraduate studies were already familiar to me, allowing me to comprehend more advanced topics, connect new knowledge with what I had previously learnt, and engage more confidently in academic discussions and assignments. Rather than starting from scratch, I was able to build on my existing knowledge and deepen my understanding of strategic communication, digital marketing and audience engagement.

For YSEALI, my experience in supporting and leading projects helped me demonstrate leadership potential, initiative, collaboration, and a commitment to contributing to my community.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Australia Awards Scholarship?

When preparing for the Australia Awards Scholarship, I started by checking eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. But I also wanted to go beyond simply understanding what the scholarship required. I wanted to understand what it was trying to achieve and how my own aspirations could contribute to those goals.

I looked closely at the objectives and priorities of the Australia Awards Scholarship. I also explored the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's development priorities in Cambodia to better understand where Australia was investing its efforts and why. This helped me look at my application from a different perspective. Instead of focusing only on what I wanted to gain from the scholarship, I thought about how the knowledge and skills I would acquire could help address development challenges back home.

I then researched Australian universities, comparing their programmes, course structures and entry requirements. I was looking for something that would build on my Bachelor's degree in Media Management while challenging me to explore new areas. Digital communication and strategic engagement were particularly interesting to me because I saw their potential to go beyond raising awareness and encourage people to participate in addressing social issues.

Another important part of my preparation was self-reflection. I took time to look at my professional journey, recognise what I had learnt, identify where I still needed to grow, and think carefully about what I wanted to contribute in the future. I wanted my application to tell a story of where I had been, why I wanted to take the next step, and what I hoped to do with the opportunity.

When it came to writing my responses to the application questions, I honestly lost count of how many drafts I went through. I kept writing, rewriting, and reading my answers over and over again until I felt they truly reflected what I wanted to say. I also asked a friend I trusted to review my responses and give me feedback from the perspective of a selection panel. I wanted to know whether my answers were clear, convincing and, most importantly, whether they showed who I was beyond my qualifications and achievements. That fresh perspective helped me notice things I might have overlooked and strengthen my responses.

For the interview, I reached out to a few Australia Awards alumni I knew and asked them about the kinds of questions I might expect. Based on their advice, I prepared my answers and practised them whenever I had time. I knew that being nervous could affect how well I expressed myself, so I wanted to feel as comfortable and confident as possible. And I must say, even though the interview panel members were very kind and welcoming, sitting in front of them could still feel quite intimidating! Therefore, practicing helped a lot. It helped me organise my thoughts, manage my nerves, and respond more naturally during the interview.

My preparation for the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program was slightly different. While the Australia Awards Scholarship focused more on my academic and professional development, YSEALI encouraged me to reflect more deeply on leadership, community engagement and the impact I could make through my work. I reviewed the programme's objectives and reflected on experiences where I had taken initiative, worked with others or contributed to solving problems. I also considered how learning from U.S. institutions and professionals could introduce me to different approaches that I could adapt to my own working environment and community.

I think the most valuable part of preparing for both programmes was learning to connect the dots between my experiences, ambitions and the challenges I wanted to help address. I did not want my applications to be simply a list of qualifications, achievements or leadership experiences. I wanted them to reflect my curiosity, my willingness to learn and, most importantly, my sense of purpose.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe what made my applications compelling was the connection between my experiences, the questions those experiences raised, and my motivation to seek further knowledge. I was not simply applying for an opportunity to advance my career. I was applying because my experiences had shown me problems I wanted to understand better, and I believed further learning could help me become part of the solution. Another thing I believe strengthened my applications was that I did not try to present myself as someone who already knew everything or had all the solutions. Instead, I was open about what I had learnt, what I had observed was missing, and where I still needed to grow. I wanted the selection panel to see not only what I had accomplished, but also how I think, how I learn, and how I hope to turn that learning into something useful for others.

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

If I were to go through the process again, I honestly don't think I would do anything differently. Not because my applications were perfect, but because I believe I approached the process in a way that worked for me, and fortunately, it paid off.

If there is one thing I would take away from the experience, it is that you cannot control the final decision, but you can control how thoughtfully, genuinely, and thoroughly you prepare. And that is something I would choose to do the same way again.

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

I would encourage applicants to take a closer look at their academic, professional, and even personal experiences. Think about the challenges you have encountered, the problems that have made you curious, and the things you wish you could do better. Sometimes, what makes a compelling application is not how much you have achieved, but how well you understand what you have learnt, what is still missing, and why you want to keep growing.

Another piece of advice is never to underestimate your everyday experiences or your potential to lead. I think many people hesitate to apply for scholarships or leadership programmes because they feel they have not achieved enough, managed a team, or held an impressive job title. But leadership is not always about leading other people. Sometimes, it starts with learning to lead yourself.

To me, self-leadership means taking initiative without waiting to be told what to do, making decisions even when you feel uncertain, taking responsibility when things do not go as planned, and being willing to step outside your comfort zone. You do not need to be a manager to demonstrate these qualities. Even small actions, such as recognising a problem and doing something about it, supporting a colleague, or finding a better way to do your work, can say a lot about your leadership potential. What matters is not how many people you lead, but how you take ownership of your actions and the difference you make, however small it may seem.

I would also encourage applicants to be genuine in telling their stories. Do not spend too much time trying to figure out what the selection panel wants to hear. Of course, you should understand the scholarship's priorities and present your experiences strategically, but your application should still sound like you. Be honest about your strengths, acknowledge what you still need to improve, and explain how the opportunity fits into the bigger picture of what you hope to achieve.

Above all, remember that you do not have to be an extraordinary person with extraordinary achievements to be a strong candidate. What matters is having a sense of purpose, the willingness to learn, and the courage to take that next step.