B efore Sovichea “Vic” Saron of Battambang, Cambodia, came to Georgia College & State University through the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program—a U.S. Department of State program—he specified his preferences, including academic goals and interests. 

“Georgia College was perfectly matched for me,” Saron said, a senior business administration major. “They asked me if I like small towns, and I gave them the perfect description of Milledgeville. The town is small and has a relaxed atmosphere. It's just a cool place.”

Milledgeville reminds him of his hometown, which is the second largest city in Cambodia, known for its rich history and architectural prominence. Cambodia’s known as “the land of smiles.”

“The people here are so nice,” he said. “I'm even more surprised that people here are just as nice as in Cambodia—even more so.

Saron feels a sense of belonging at Georgia College.

“It's good for your mental health to be involved in activities like the International Club, gardening, football and music,” he said. “There’s always something to look forward to here. I love it.”

Saron chose business as his major because he’s particularly interested in management.

“I love playing a role in making something happen,” he said. “My business classes equip me with the knowledge to use strategies to lead a team.”

Saron wants to hone his leadership skills at Georgia College, and he’s already off to a great start.

In Cambodia, he proposed and led some environmental projects with the U.S. Agency for International Development—the world’s leading international development agency. These projects aimed to decrease the demand for and usage of rare luxury wood in making furniture. He also helped reduce the consumption of wild meat, as many wild animals there are becoming extinct.

“We worked with people, trying to change social behavior towards those issues,” Saron said.

He loved the leadership aspect of these experiences.

Saron’s also a key stakeholder with USAID Cambodia Green Future, having co-founded a youth-run advocacy organization called Niron. This organization was highly involved in implementing the project’s campaigns. 

“Whenever leadership strategizes about their campaigns—about what to do, how to do it and how to work with government agencies—I’m part of those discussions,” he said.

On a lighter note, Saron is interested in jazz. He plays the flute, violin, guitar, ukulele and kalimba. He especially enjoys his jazz history class with Dr. Don Parker, chair of the music department and professor of music. 

“Whenever I have jazz class, Dr. Parker’s got such a vibrant personality. You meet him for five minutes, and you immediately know just how much he loves music and his job,” Saron said. “That makes my music classes so enjoyable.”

“He taught me to embrace my passion for what I’m working in,” he said. “I can definitely apply that to my work, as well, because people who work in non-governmental organizations are passionate. They want to make a change in something.” 

Saron writes music too. Some of his compositions were used as theme songs in campaigns by the NGOs he works with. He’s also contracted with them for production.

When Saron returns to Cambodia, he has one last semester before graduating with his undergraduate degree in business administration. He looks forward to working in the education sector, called Love without Boundaries, and improving education for Cambodian children.

“I like work that makes me feel like I'm contributing to some kind of change that I want to see in society,” he said. “It's like working but also giving back at the same time.”

Come celebrate our international students, like Saron, during the International Fest on Front Campus Oct. 18 from 5 until 7 p.m.