• Society

Young People See SSEAYP as the Experience of a Lifetime

• By Rin Ousa
• December 17, 2023 7:00 PM

PHNOM PENH — Eleven Cambodian young people took part in the 47th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) of Japan held this year from Nov. 29 to Dec. 8.

Yim Salinda, who was one of the participants, said that this turned out to be unlike any other exchange programs in which she had taken part because, in addition to getting personally ready for this, participants had to prepare as a team representing their country, and there were 11 people in the Cambodian team.

“The SSEAYP’s spirit is ‘we are one’ and to leave no one behind,” she said. “Simply put, we had to wear the same attire from head to toe. And we were a twin of 10 people.” Prior to departure, participants’ training included how to behave and work as a team.

Sponsored by the Japanese Cabinet Office and supported by ASEAN countries, the program usually consists of bringing together around 300 youths from ASEAN countries and Japan on board the ship Nippon Maru [ja] for more than 40 days to develop friendship and understanding between them.

However this year, participants went by plane to Japan where the week-long program took place.

“As this year marks the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, they had a special event during which delegates [including the group from Cambodia] got to showcase their own cultural performances,” said Dysam Sodyna, who was one of the participants. “Most notably, some of us had courtesy calls with the Japanese royal family and the prime minister.”

The visit to Japan also included participants having a homestay with a Japanese family, and discussing issues ranging from gender equality and economic growth to sustainable cities, energy, climate change, good health and well-being, Sodyna said.

“The program was quite short, so I found it to be the biggest challenge,” she said. “It was hard at first to adapt to each other's culture and norms but the memories we have made together will last a lifetime.”

As the SSEAYP is an annual program, Sodyna and Salinda hope to see those interested apply as soon as possible once the application period opens.

“For the application process, asking help from alumni does matter,” Salinda said. “And don’t forget to show your personality, not just achievements…It is also important to expand your knowledge of ASEAN and Japan.”