Advisors for French Citizens Abroad: Caroline Loeum Grelier, “Happy in Cambodia, Committed to You

Caroline Loeum Grelier is a candidate on the list “French in Cambodia – Stronger Together” for the election of Councillors for French Citizens Abroad in Cambodia. Living in Battambang since 2010, she embodies a living link between two cultures—French and Khmer—shaped through years of community involvement, school leadership, and a family life deeply rooted in Cambodian society.

Caroline Loeum Grelier

She answers a few questions here about her background and motivations.

Can you briefly introduce yourself—your background, education, and personal story?

My name is Caroline Loeum Grelier. I have been living in Battambang since 2010. I am married to a Cambodian, bilingual in French and Khmer, and the mother of a young daughter.

For eight years, I worked as a psychomotor therapist within child protection organizations: Phare Ponleu Selpak, Komar Rikriey, and AVEC.I started as a volunteer and then became a local employee, and after three years, I was able to work entirely in Khmer. This experience, combined with my family life within my Cambodian in-laws’ household, allowed me to deeply immerse myself in Khmer culture.

Today, Khmer is my second language, and Cambodia is my second home.

In 2016, with my husband, an artist, we founded the Tep Kao Sol gallery. Then, in 2018, I became the director of the French School of Battambang, a position I held for seven years. This year, I am focusing more specifically on school life and relationships with families.

In the field in Battambang – visit to the PATH company

What connections have you built with French institutions present in Cambodia (embassy, French lycée, Alliance Française, chamber of commerce, etc.)?

At the French School of Battambang, I worked closely with the French Embassy, the Lycée Français René Descartes, and other French institutions in the country, particularly on issues concerning French and Franco-Khmer families: allocation of school scholarships, as well as medical or paramedical assessment and follow-up for students.

These systems are essential to ensure that all French children can access French education. In the current context of economic difficulties, it is crucial to continue defending them for our children.

What motivated you to run in this election? What was the trigger?

I joined without hesitation the collective “French in Cambodia – Stronger Together!” because I have observed over the past five years the concrete and committed actions of Florian Bohême. Listening, support, action, and transparency—these are the values that drive the collective, and they are also the ones I wish to embody for the next five years.

I aim to contribute my knowledge of French administrative systems to support French and Franco-Cambodian citizens in their dealings with French authorities, as I know how complex these processes can be.

Drawing on my dual cultural background, I also want to be a resource person for the Franco-Cambodian community and to build more bridges between French and Cambodian cultures.

To this end, I plan to organize a monthly outreach session in Battambang to inform, support, and create a space for meetings and exchanges. Being in direct contact with the French community allows us to stay close to the concerns of our fellow citizens and respond in the most appropriate way.