Leaving everything behind

She walks toward the plane and looks back one more time before heading off. She will soon be leaving behind the country that she grew up in, hoping for a better life in the United States. She gets on the plane and smiles one last time to her country.

Senior Malynna Sam left her life in Cambodia four years ago to start a new one in the states. She hasn’t visited her home country ever since she left, but she doesn’t regret the change since it’s provided her with many opportunities and experiences.

“I was born and raised there until I [turned 14],” Sam said. “The transition here wasn’t that difficult because I was prepared and ready to change and adapt.”

When coming to the United States, she kept in mind that her main goal was to have a better academic life and further acquire more academic opportunities.

“I left my country to get a better education,” Sam said. “In the countryside [of Cambodia,] kids tend to focus on helping their family [rather than] focusing on school. [I came to the United States because] I heard a lot about the US [being known as a] land full of opportunities.”

In Cambodia, education is expensive and hard to finish, while the United States provides free public education and is accessible to anyone. Since Sam is just like any other student, her chances of continuing education in Cambodia were very low.

“If you graduate from a demanding job like medical, law, engineering school [in Cambodia,] you tend to have a better opportunity,” Sam said. “Although, it requires a lot of time and dedication. Some, unfortunately, can not afford that.”

In addition to education being difficult to pursue in Cambodia, it is dangerous. Food science teacher Kahla Scrivner is aware of the challenges her students go through. In Cambodia, the quality of life is very poor in the country. Scrivner has seen Sam’s progress throughout the school year. She has noticed her grow socially and academically.

“She goes above and beyond to do well in class,” Scrivner said. “She is extremely polite and is always so happy and bubbly in class. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her unhappy. Her positive outlook is inspiring.”

Through Sam’s high school years, she’s already achieved a vast list of achievements. Sam is involved in several organizations and has achieved about 7 awards.

“I am in Student Council, NHS, JWAC and Interact,” Sam said. “ [So far I’ve received the] Spanish Honor Award, [several] Student of the Months, Fantastic Farmer, Junior Honor Award, StuCo Honor Award [and the] Texas Leadership Salute.”

She has even taken the challenge to involve herself in harder classes such as Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES). In the class, she has met one of her closest friends, senior Sophia Lee.

“Malynna is the nicest and most giving person I know. She is always offering to help me; even when she is busy,” Lee said.

Ever since becoming friends with Sam, Lee has noticed the importance of having diversity within a school. Prior to knowing Sam, Lee knew very little about Cambodia.

“It’s pretty cool that I have a friend from Cambodia,” Lee said. “I have an opportunity to know more about the country.”

Since Cambodia is across the United States, there are very few foreign people like Sam. Scrivner is proud that Sam is part of the school and is glad that she can learn more about her and her culture.

“I believe that we can learn so much from others and we should take the chance to learn of other’s experiences,” Scrivner said. “Having diversity in our school makes every day interesting and I always learn so much from my students.”