Molly Pech Chhay goes to the University of Central Florida. She’s mostly

Molly Pech Chhay goes to the University of Central Florida. She’s mostly Cambodian and grew up in Lake Mary, Florida. Her grandfather on her dad’s side was 100% Chinese and on her mom’s side, her great grandfather was Chinese. This year Molly celebrated Chinese new year with her grandmother where they gave offerings (food) to their passed family members.

Molly still has family in Cambodia; however she’s never met them in person. She’s been able to connect with one of her cousins through facebook. A few years ago, actually, Molly’s mom’s cousin moved from Cambodia to the USA and ended up marrying her dad’s brother. Although Molly has never visited Cambodia before, she would really like to! A few of her aunts and uncles have done a traditional Cambodian wedding in the United States which she has been to.

Molly is not exactly fluent in Cambodian (or Khmer) however she understands it quite well. Most of the time her parents would speak in Cambodian and she would just answer back in half Cambodian, half English…Cambodilish?

Molly’s mom cooks many traditional Cambodian dishes, which she prefers over any other kind of food. Foods that people here in America might find strange, she has no trouble eating. She eats rice with almost everything.

My middle name means “diamond” in Cambodia, which is “Pich”.

ASIANCE: Why did you choose your school?

Molly: I’m the kind of person who likes to stay home and be with my family. But in addition to that, my older sister was already attending the University. Since we were young, she and I have been practically inseparable. So ultimately, I chose this university because I can commute and see my family every night.

ASIANCE: What is your major?

Molly: Biology.

ASIANCE: What will you be doing once you graduate?

Molly: Preparing for graduate school and all the while, hopefully I’ll get to travel to different parts of Asia. Two places specifically, Cambodia and Japan.

ASIANCE: What clubs or extracurricular activities did you enjoy? If Asian specific, why did you choose to join?

Molly: I haven’t joined any activities.

ASIANCE: What do you look forward to the most about graduating?

Molly: When I go to school, my day feels as if all I do is wake up, go to school, come home and sleep. When I graduate, I look forward to gaining some free time and a sense of a day again.

ASIANCE: What will you miss about not attending school?

Molly: The crowds of people and especially the drive to school and back.

ASIANCE: Was there another school you wanted to attend?

Molly: A school in Japan, either in Tokyo or Osaka.

ASIANCE: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Molly: I see myself pursing a medical career and perhaps studying in Japan or just living there–like a long vacation.

ASIANCE: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Molly: In 10 years, hopefully after being successful with my previous job, I’ll take up a new job. Something which involves traveling and taking part in studies or projects that have to do with marine biology.

ASIANCE: Any significant accomplishments you would like to add during your time in college?

Molly: I took a class where I was studying vertebrate evolution and ecology. In that class, I held the title of the “fish person.” This was because I was able to identify various types of fish (which we had caught in lab) more so than anyone else. I felt very accomplished because of that title, especially because marine biology (fish in particular) is one of my greater interests and in my future I hope to do something with my knowledge of this.

ASIANCE: Looking back would you do anything differently?

Molly: I’m a Biology major currently (and I do love biology), but if I could go back and change that, I would rather be a Digital Media major.

ASIANCE: Was there anything hard about being Asian at your school?

Molly: Asians are stereotyped as being smart. And it’s hard to admit when I’m having difficulties on a subject.

ASIANCE: Who are you role model(s) in your life? How do they affect your college experience?

Molly: My role model is a Japanese idol, Kamiyama Ryuji. He’s a hard working actor, always reaching for new goals in his life, and who cares about his fans. I was his fan for almost 4 years before I decided to learn Japanese. And since that time, I’ve taught myself enough of the language where I have written several letters to him. More importantly, because of those letters, he’s acknowledged me on various occasions including on a radio podcast and to my Japanese friends who were able to speak with him. My goal was for him to realize that he had fans overseas, but it’s become more than that– he knows me and by name. I take the experiences that I worked through and felt and keep it in my mind for college. I tell myself, if I can reach out to a person half way across the world, then I should also be able to reach goals I set for myself here in this university.

ASIANCE: What advice would you give to girls who are looking at colleges right now?

Molly: When you go to college, bring with you something that makes you smile. It may not be physically with you, but keep it with you in your mind at all times. College is stressful, but when you have something that makes happy, the stress is easier to cope with.