Women's rights : Rasey Sun, Young Lawyer for Thalias Hospitality

After studying International Business Law in French at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Rasey Sun became a lawyer. Cambodge Mag met with her to learn more about her journey.

Rasey Sun, Young Lawyer for Thalias Hospitality

CM: Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

My name is Rasey Sun. I was born in Battambang to two merchant parents.

CM: What studies did you pursue?

I completed a Master's in International Business Law at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (URDSE). This program was in collaboration with the Universities of Lille 2 and Paris 2. The courses I took were exclusively in French and taught by French professors. In my class, there were only six Cambodians compared to fifteen French students. I have a diploma that allows me to practice in France and Cambodia.

CM: Under what circumstances did you learn French?

I started learning French at the age of eight. There was a French cultural center right next to my home, and my parents encouraged me to take classes there. I then continued learning the language in high school, where I attended a bilingual Khmer/French school.

CM: Did you have any difficulties learning the language?

In my opinion, French is a bit harder to learn than English. But since I started young, the learning process was relatively straightforward.

CM: Have you ever been to France?

I've had the chance to visit France twice, to see friends. I was able to visit Nice and Paris, which are beautiful cities. I really loved France, especially the food. Plus, I visited the country in May two years ago, so the weather was very pleasant.

CM: What were your impressions from your first trip to France?

France was nothing like what I had imagined. It's a very modern country, but I was especially struck by the high cost of living. I was also marked by the fact that in France, young people and retirees live completely separately. In Cambodia, it's very common for children/grandchildren to live with their parents/grandparents. In contrast, I found that retirees in France are quite lonely. Children don't see their parents often either.

CM: What job do you do today?

I am currently a lawyer for the Thalias Hospitality group. My role is to ensure the company's compliance. I love my job because it's very varied; I'm not tied to a single task. I draft contracts, provide advice...

CM: Do you have any plans for the future?

I don't have any concrete projects, but I'm very interested in diplomacy and international relations. I love to travel, and I'm passionate about what's happening in Cambodia and the world in general.

Interview conducted by Éva Marcadé