The number of Cambodian students who pursuing their studies at U.S. colleges and universities in 2020-21 academic year saw an increase by 14.3 percent over the previous year, according to a new U.S. government’s report released by the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh.
The 2021 Open Doors report on International Educational Exchange showed that 848 Cambodian students attended college in the United States, an increase from 742 students in 2019-20. This continues a positive trend over the past seven years.
“We are proud to see Cambodian students choosing to study in the United States,” U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. W. Patrick Murphy said. “From my own experience, I know that study abroad can be enriching and life-changing. It is gratifying to see how much Cambodian students value American higher education as an important means to acquire new skills, knowledge, and experience to bring back for further advancements in the Kingdom’s development.”
The United States is the No. 1 destination in the world for international students, with 914,095 students in 2020-21. The pandemic contributed to an overall 15 percent decrease from the 2019-20 numbers, but the number of Cambodian students studying in the U.S. increased again.
The U.S. Embassy in Cambodia promotes American education opportunities for Cambodians through its EducationUSA Centres and American Spaces in Siem Reap, Battambang city, Kampong Cham, and Phnom Penh. This includes the AmCam Exchange at the Exchange Square mall in Phnom Penh.
International education promotes a lasting relationship and knowledge exchange between communities in the United States and nations around the world. International students enrich classrooms, campuses, and communities in ways that endure long after students return to their home countries.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press