From the historic streets of Edinburgh to the vibrant heart of Phnom Penh, my INCITE journey took me both geographically and personally farther than I expected, a whirlwind three weeks that reshaped my confidence, worldview, and even my taste buds.
The INCITE Summer School is a unique programme that brings together intercultural competence, entrepreneurship, and systems thinking, combining classroom learning with an applied group project. Over three weeks, we worked in diverse teams to help solve a local problem faced by Cambodian entrepreneurs, turning theory into practice while building real-world impact.
As a female business student, I’d often wondered if I could truly make an impact and whether the world was ready to welcome me in. This programme gave me my answer, along with professional challenges, cultural adventures, and friendships I’ll carry for life.
Our team affectionately nicknamed “Inter-shine,” began as six slightly awkward strangers with wildly different accents, work styles, and sleep schedules. By Week 2, we were navigating group interviews with Khmer businesswomen like a mini UN Taskforce (if the UN ran on iced coffee and Grab rides — Grab being the super app of South East Asia, their version of Uber for everything).
Our project tackled digital illiteracy among Cambodia’s female led businesses. We met incredible women running everything from cafes to food stalls, all eager to grow but facing barriers in using technology. Every entrepreneur we spoke to said they wished they knew more about social media, online selling, and translation tools. The potential impact was clear: bridging the digital gap doesn’t just help a business, it transforms livelihoods, connects communities, and opens doors to entirely new markets. As the future becomes increasingly digital, it is vital that no one is left behind in accessing the tools and opportunities it brings.
I assisted in the systems thinking component of our project, mapping out the interconnected reasons why digital literacy remains low. The web of factors included limited tech access, time constraints, generational habits, and even unreliable internet. Conducting interviews and making sense of these insights taught me how to turn complexity into clarity, and how to design solutions that address root causes rather than symptoms.
Not all my lessons came from the classroom. One afternoon, a classmate and I befriended our tuk-tuk driver and invited him to lunch. On paper, we had nothing in common, different languages, cultures, and life stories. Yet the conversation flowed. He spoke openly about life in Phnom Penh, the challenges of a developing country, and the gratitude he felt for what he had. That lunch taught me that genuine connection doesn’t require similarity; it requires openness.
By the end of the programme, I had developed not only a taste for seafood but also a confidence I’d never known before. A confidence that carried me into one of the most memorable moments of my summer: the farewell dinner.
I walked in nervous (and thankful for the air conditioning), but once I began speaking on behalf of Edinburgh, I felt a shift. The crowd laughed at my opening lines, my voice steadied, and I realised I felt powerful in that moment, addressing an audience of wide-eyed students, inquisitive academics, and seasoned diplomats.
Afterwards, I spoke with H.E. Dominic Williams MBE, British Ambassador to Cambodia, who emphasised the value of finding common ground in conversations and building relationships through shared understanding. I also met Ms. Teo Lay Cheng, Singaporean Ambassador, a truly inspiring female leader who spoke about the power and potential of young women in shaping the future. Both conversations left me determined to use my voice and skills to make change.
INCITE didn’t just give me a summer abroad, it gave me lifelong friends, cultural insight, professional confidence, and a killer LinkedIn update. It reminded me that big change often starts small: a shared meal, a genuine question, an open mind.
Whether it’s supporting a local entrepreneur, hopping on a motorbike to class, or stepping up to a microphone in front of a room full of people, the lesson is the same: impact starts when you say yes to growth.
And if you’re lucky, it also comes with a side of mango sticky rice.