Sry Marong Huot

Sry Marong Huot started his New Zealand education at secondary school level, comng to live with friends of his father’s in Pakuranga at 12. He still lives with the family and after five years studying at Edgewater College, Marong is now nearing the end of his Bachelor of International Business degree at AIS St Helens.

Determination and a strong work ethic have seen his grades continuously improve and last semester Marong was awarded a Scholarship Two, which reimbursed ten percent of his fees for that term. This semester the 19-year-old Cambodian has got his sights set even higher, on Scholarship One, a reimbursement of 15 percent.

“When I told my mum and dad they were very happy. They told me to keep it up,” he says.

Marong’s father spends most of his time in Cambodia, while his mother lives in Australia with his two older brothers and his younger twin brothers. Another older brother lives and works here in Auckland.

So coming from a family of six boys it’s no surprise that Marong sometimes feels a little lonely here. “I can say that New Zealand is part of my home. I’ve been happy here most of the time – but I’d rather be with my family. Sometimes I feel homesick. It would be better if my real family was here, but I will try to work hard and keep going.”

After completing his degree Marong has a couple of options. He’ll either gain some work experience or complete a pre-MBA course. Eventually he wants to gain an MBA from Massey University.

Marong has a long-term goal of opening his own business. Though he hasn’t figured out the finer details yet, Marong knows he’d like to own something in the service sector in either New Zealand or across the Tasman, where he’s got the support of mum and four of his siblings.