My Background
My name is Anuthrak Ratana, and I’m from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I went to AUPP High School, an American curriculum school in my hometown, and studied my junior and senior years there before going to college. I graduated from high school in May and completed one year of university in my home country before applying abroad. During that year, I studied Information Technology Management, focusing on computer science and IT-related subjects.
Why study abroad? Why Pace University?
Back home in Cambodia, the morning air would be filled with a fresh aroma of spices from my grandmother's cooking, and I would go to school, surrounded by familiar faces. It was comfortable, but comfort limits growth, and that drive to grow drove me to the United States, where research and technology were plentiful. Here in the States, everyone is a stranger, but that meant that I could rewrite myself. I became more outgoing, participated in hackathons, volunteered, and started an AI Club that helps students across all fields of study achieve their goals. Originally, I wasn't aiming for U.S. schools. I was planning on studying in Australia, but due to family situations, I decided to apply to universities in the States. I missed many application deadlines for other colleges I was hoping to attend because of that drastic change, but one of the few universities that was still accepting applicants was Pace University, and I was really excited to experience the city, too. My sister had also interned in New York City a few years back, and she recommended the city for my studies. In the end, the reason I chose Pace University was due to the generous scholarship and that it's in New York City, a global hub for finance and technology (and it has a great food scene!).
My passion for Computer Science
My passion for computer science, I’d say, started in ninth grade. I failed a math exam, and I remember thinking I needed to do better than this. So I spent the entire summer studying math. The more time I gave it, the more I realised I actually enjoyed it. Once you slow down and really understand the logic behind it, math becomes a lot more interesting, especially if you genuinely like problem-solving and logical thinking. Another turning point was much less academic. One night, I was lying in bed, soft and warm, ready to sleep, but then I realised that I needed to turn off the lights. I remember thinking that if only I could build something to turn the lights off from my bed, that would be great. So I started taking apart a toy car that was recently gifted by my father and connecting it to a remote controller. Then, I placed it on the light switch so that I could control it from my bed. That moment — solving a real problem with something I built myself — made me realise how much I enjoy computer science and engineering. What started as laziness turned into a deep fascination with wanting to engineer clever solutions that made life easier.
Stats and Extracurriculars
I submitted my application with a 3.7 GPA and a 1370 on the SAT. To study for that test, I used multiple internet resources such as Khan Academy and YouTube videos. Likewise, thanks to AUPP, scores in tests such as the IELTS and TOEFL weren't necessary, thanks to the American curriculum my high school followed. In my essay, I wrote about how taking apart toys as a kid sparked my interest in engineering and problem-solving. I connected that curiosity to why I wanted to study at Pace University, and why being in New York City mattered to me — it’s a place full of energy and opportunity, where I could keep building, learning, and growing. During my time at school, I was actively involved in both leadership and extracurricular activities. I served as Co-Lead of the Press and Media Club, where we were responsible for documenting, highlighting school events, and producing the school’s annual yearbook. I was also a member of the Model United Nations (MUN) Club. Outside of school, I was a member of the Fencing Federation of Cambodia as a national athlete competing nationally and internationally, representing the country. Additionally, I was building my web design agency, helping local businesses gain online presence and establishing their digital brands. Before getting into Pace’s program, most of what I learned about computer science was self-taught and completed online. I gained a foundation in basic coding, though my technical knowledge was still at an introductory level.
Advice for Upcoming Applicants
My advice for future applicants is to definitely plan ahead. The process takes a very long time, and if you're still in high school, start participating in extracurriculars because they help a lot. Start studying and prepping for the SAT as well; the scores definitely do matter. Another big aspect in the holistic approach universities in America have is the essays. They look at who you are as a person, what you do, and how you contribute to the community, rather than just purely your grades, which is also beneficial in the application process.
First week in New York
What I remember most from my first week in New York was how expensive everything was. I was ready for things to be pricey, but did not expect them to be that much. Another thing I had to get used to was transportation. Back home, I’d often use the family car, but once in the city, I had to learn the public transportation system, which I was really unfamiliar with. Thankfully, the subway is incredibly easy to navigate, reliable, and, despite the constant complaints about its malfunctions, it always gets the job done. That first week helped me understand the rhythm of the city and become more independent. I took pleasure in doing simple things like doing laundry, buying groceries, cooking, and purchasing furniture, which made me grow tremendously as a person in a city full of chaos.
Ongoing classes
Right now, I’m mostly taking intro-level courses since I just started. I have Intro to Computer Science, along with math classes like calculus and statistics. I’m also finishing general requirements like Chemistry and English — the typical first-year foundation courses. I haven’t gone too deep into advanced computer science yet; that usually happens in the third or fourth year.
Tuition and managing living expenses
When it comes to costs, I usually break it down into four main categories: tuition, rent, groceries, and transportation. Tuition is about $18,000 per semester at Pace University. I received a Dean’s Scholarship from Pace, which covers about 40% of my tuition. Then there is rent. I share an apartment with my sister, and the total rent is around $5,000 per month, which we split. Living together definitely makes it more manageable. Third would be groceries and daily living expenses, which vary month to month but are part of my overall personal budget. And finally, transportation. I mainly use the subway in New York City because Uber is just too expensive to rely on regularly. I pay weekly for the subway, about $35 per week, which comes out to a little over $120 per month.
Getting the student visa
For the student visa process, the first step was completing the DS-160 online, which is completely free and accessible. After submitting the form, you pay the required fees and try to schedule your visa interview. That was actually the hardest part. At the time, there were a lot of immigration policy changes in the United States, which made the process more uncertain. However, once I finally secured the interview and had all my documents prepared, the rest of the process went much more smoothly.
Outside of class
When I’m not focused on my academics, I like to play sports or play the piano. Back home, I had a small digital piano where I used to play, and that’s where the hobby started. In regard to sports, I used to fence and do multiple combat sports. The problem began when I moved to New York, because I did not have a piano anymore, and sports were very expensive. Luckily, Pace University has a community piano in the establishment, and whenever I can, I play there for a while.
Creating a community
Connecting with other people is something I truly enjoy working on. I think it's super personal and really depends on the type of person you are, but everyone benefits from connecting with others. Before moving to the U.S., I decided that my goal was to be more open and talk to new people. I was actively trying to do that, and at first, it was a little difficult because everyone looked intimidating and judgmental. But once you start talking, everyone opens up. It’s much easier if you take the first step to initiate a conversation, because everyone wants to make friends, but no one is really initiating. Once you put yourself out there, it becomes much easier to make friends.
I also think it is very important to engage with the professors. While you can always sit in the back of the class, it's incredibly beneficial to sit in the front. Professors find it really exciting when you seem interested in the class, and you ask questions. Engaging with the university itself, whether that is getting close to professors or joining activities, can lead to a lot of amazing opportunities.
Financially supporting myself
As an international student, it can be quite difficult because, legally, I’m not allowed to work right away. I’m typically only permitted to work after my first year, and the job has to be directly related to my field of study; jobs at my university are mostly reserved for U.S. students with aid. I would only be allowed to pursue internships connected to my major, and only after completing that first year. In my case, I relied on the businesses I had back home and made sure to prepare financially before coming to the United States. I haven’t worked here yet or obtained CPT authorisation, which is required to work, so I mostly rely on my savings for now.
After graduation
After I graduate, I plan to continue my studies and do a master’s degree. I want to focus on learning more before starting a full-time job. In the long term, I’m very interested in machine learning, and I hope to work as a machine learning engineer. I’m open to staying in the United States or moving to a different state, depending on where I get accepted and what opportunities come up.
Advice for students
For international students already at university, one important piece of advice is to really put yourself out there. Try to talk to people and make friends, even if it feels uncomfortable at the beginning. Sometimes the effort won’t be fully reciprocated, and that’s okay. The key is to keep going, because eventually you’ll find your group of people. It’s also important to stay engaged. Sitting in the front of class, speaking with professors, attending office hours, and joining school events can open many doors. The more involved you are, the more opportunities you’ll come across. Volunteering is another great option, since there are many accessible opportunities in the U.S., and it’s a good way to meet people and gain experience.
