Taking care of your mental health while pursuing your goals
Youssey Lak is proud of his achievements and knows what it takes to achieve his goals while taking care of his mental health. He recently completed his Australia Awards Scholarship studies in Adelaide, and acknowledges that working towards a goal can be challenging at times, especially when it involves studying a postgraduate degree in a second language, and in a country with a very different culture.
In May 2019, Youssey returned to Cambodia having achieved a Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business from the University of Adelaide. Shortly after his return, Youssey landed his ‘dream job’ as a Technical Advisor with the German Agency for International Cooperation or (GIZ). The project that he is involved with is called “Support of Regional Economic Cooperation in Asia”, and aims to improve the trade of agricultural products between China and selected Asian countries, including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Mongolia.
During his study in Australia, Youssey completed three internships with two Australian companies. During the first internship he completed a year-long graduate research project as a requirement of his course of study. The second internship was voluntary where Youssey used his skills to develop a project report. The report was of such high quality and was appreciated by the company’s managing director to the extent that he offered Youssey another internship in an international working group that was undertaking market research of a new product in Australia.
Youssey attributes his success to his outstanding academic achievement combined with his passion and internship experiences in Australia. However, Yossey’s journey in Australia was not without hurdles. Juggling the demands of study and the internships took its toll when Youssey experienced feelings of anxiety and depression. Fortunately, he acted quickly, and accessed expert professional assistance. He also used meditation and self-reflection to help get back on track. Looking back, Youssey values his internship experiences but wishes that he could have managed the work-load better and not pushed himself so hard.
Socially, Youssey was also active in building connections with Australians. He cherishes his friendship with an Australian family whom he met through the Experience Adelaide Program. They have stayed in touch following Youssey’s departure from Australia, and the family are planning to visit Cambodia in November next year.
Recently, Youssey was selected to undertake the role of an Australia Awards Ambassador for Intake 2020. Being an Ambassador is an important leadership role which offers opportunity to share the experience of living and studying in Australia and to inspire future Australia Awards applicants at a range of events. Youssey is keen to give back to Cambodian communities and particularly to the youth as potential applicants for Australia Awards Scholarships.
Important note: Australia Awards Cambodia take the mental health of scholars very seriously, as do the Universities in which our scholars’ study. We strongly encourage scholars to seek immediate assistance if feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad or experiencing depression. We know that the transition to Australia and the completion of the academic program can be stressful. Help is readily available and as Youssey’s story illustrates, accessing professional advice quickly can make a real difference to how you feel, how you recover, and how you perform.
Australia Awards
Post graduate learning opportunities for Cambodia’s future leaders
Taking care of your mental health while pursuing your goals
Youssey Lak is proud of his achievements and knows what it takes to achieve his goals while taking care of his mental health. He recently completed his Australia Awards Scholarship studies in Adelaide, and acknowledges that working towards a goal can be challenging at times, especially when it involves studying a postgraduate degree in a second language, and in a country with a very different culture.
In May 2019, Youssey returned to Cambodia having achieved a Master of Global Food and Agricultural Business from the University of Adelaide. Shortly after his return, Youssey landed his ‘dream job’ as a Technical Advisor with the German Agency for International Cooperation or (GIZ). The project that he is involved with is called “Support of Regional Economic Cooperation in Asia”, and aims to improve the trade of agricultural products between China and selected Asian countries, including Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Mongolia.
During his study in Australia, Youssey completed three internships with two Australian companies. During the first internship he completed a year-long graduate research project as a requirement of his course of study. The second internship was voluntary where Youssey used his skills to develop a project report. The report was of such high quality and was appreciated by the company’s managing director to the extent that he offered Youssey another internship in an international working group that was undertaking market research of a new product in Australia.
Youssey attributes his success to his outstanding academic achievement combined with his passion and internship experiences in Australia. However, Yossey’s journey in Australia was not without hurdles. Juggling the demands of study and the internships took its toll when Youssey experienced feelings of anxiety and depression. Fortunately, he acted quickly, and accessed expert professional assistance. He also used meditation and self-reflection to help get back on track. Looking back, Youssey values his internship experiences but wishes that he could have managed the work-load better and not pushed himself so hard.
Socially, Youssey was also active in building connections with Australians. He cherishes his friendship with an Australian family whom he met through the Experience Adelaide Program. They have stayed in touch following Youssey’s departure from Australia, and the family are planning to visit Cambodia in November next year.
Recently, Youssey was selected to undertake the role of an Australia Awards Ambassador for Intake 2020. Being an Ambassador is an important leadership role which offers opportunity to share the experience of living and studying in Australia and to inspire future Australia Awards applicants at a range of events. Youssey is keen to give back to Cambodian communities and particularly to the youth as potential applicants for Australia Awards Scholarships.
Important note: Australia Awards Cambodia take the mental health of scholars very seriously, as do the Universities in which our scholars’ study. We strongly encourage scholars to seek immediate assistance if feeling overwhelmed, anxious, sad or experiencing depression. We know that the transition to Australia and the completion of the academic program can be stressful. Help is readily available and as Youssey’s story illustrates, accessing professional advice quickly can make a real difference to how you feel, how you recover, and how you perform.