5 weeks of Life Changing-Experiences

by Kimleng Saing (Cambodia)

I didn't expect to find Cambodia

Currently, I am a fresh undergraduate, major in Environmental Science, Pannasastra University of Cambodia. When I was a kid, I often heard people talking about America which was a land of democracy, capitalism, and food and culture diversity. So I told myself one day I want to visit The Amazing Land of America. Without imagining my dream come true because I was selected to join the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship Program under the themes of Environmental Issues and Natural Resource Management at the University of Montana, which is sponsored by The U.S. Department of State. After arriving, I am really excited and thrilled to see Missoula city is very bike-friendly, people are so friendly, and the city full of peace with a green environment. On top of Mount Sentinel or the “M” trails, a recognizable landmark in Missoula and the University of Montana, we can see the whole beautiful view with wonderful landscape. During the University of Montana for four weeks, I have learned series of lectures, leadership development, and cultural diversity activities and field study to visit different areas across Montana, which is facilitated by Mansfield Center. In classes, we learn not only about sustainable conservation, ecotourism and agricultural practices, water resource management but also transboundary issues, and climate change which is a global concern that we are facing. Besides, YSEALI Academic fellows also have opportunities to debate and discuss with a government representative, Jonh Engen, Mayor of Missoula, Mike Cooney, Lieutenant Governor of Montana, and representative of Senator Jon Tester, on the role of environmental policy in the economic and political development of the U.S. YSEALI Academic Fellows with Lieutenant Governor, Mike Cooney, at Helena Capital. More than this, I am also exposed to community services and educational study tour to Mining Site in Butte, Flathead Indian Reservation, and Especially in Glacier National Park, which is a very good example of transboundary conservation and management across the border, U.S. and Canada. In the meantime, I was learning and sharing about our home country culture among YSEALI fellows and also share with UM students and Missoula International School Students. At that time, I have presented the history of the Pchum Ben Festival “Ancestor Day” and the postures-five styles of Sampeah (salute). I’ve also gained a deep understanding of U.S culture through engaging alongside UM students, field study to museums and homestay programs. I also invited to present my initiative project to tackle waste management issues back home in Cambodia. Time flies so fast and the program ended in the U.S. capital city of Washington, D.C., where I visited the United States Capitol, the White House, National Museum of African American History & Culture, National Museum of Natural History, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln Memorials, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Through the tour, I learned about the diverse and historic culture, complexity of history, the collection of American art, and its architectural achievement in its own right, especially the dedication of the U.S. presidents to conserve and preserve those incredible histories for the further generation and the world as at large. Overall, I’ve gained a lot of insightful knowledge related to environmental perspective; leadership skills alongside enhance my intercultural capacity and problem-solving competencies, which sharpen me to be a vigorous citizen and young leader. Likewise, sending these 21 powerful young leaders from Southeast Asia together with other young leaders and environmentalists in the U.S. is not only to promote regional collaboration on addressing global environmental issues as a whole but also to strengthen and build leadership development, culture diverse between nations.