From Fulbright Scholar to Storyteller

At the Neeson Cripps Academy, a new kind of classroom is taking shape—one where students don’t just learn but find their voice.

And at the heart of it is 22-year-old Claire Oberle.

A Fulbright Program scholar from the United States, Claire arrived in Cambodia with a passion for education and cultural exchange.

Teaching university students in Phnom Penh gave her insight into the younger generation shaping Cambodia’s future.

But it’s her time volunteering with Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) that has truly captured the spirit of the Fulbright Program for Claire — inspiring her to create a project that will give her students a platform to share their own stories.

“I came to Phnom Penh in October 2025 as a Fulbright Scholar and have had the immense privilege of volunteering with CCF. Every day, I see how powerful language and communication can be—not just in school, but as tools for confidence, opportunity, and connection to the wider world,” says Claire.

Claire is fundraising to build a Story Lab at CCF’s Neeson Cripps Academy high school — a space where students can learn production skills, create content, and tell their own stories with The Youth Media & Podcast Studio and other mediums.

“Media literacy isn’t just a career asset — it’s a tool for communication, connection, and the preservation of history,” she says.

Claire, who was born in Chicago but grew up in China and the Netherlands, is passionate about connecting countries, cultures, and communities.

After graduating from the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy with a degree in Public Policy — and earning top honors, including the Renaissance Scholar distinction and Dean’s Senior Merit Award — she went on to apply for the Fulbright Program, the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange initiative.

Cambodia was her country of choice. Claire visited in 2016 with her family and fell in love with the culture and people.

For the Fulbright Program, Claire teaches English to students at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP).

Volunteering at CCF, she teaches English to students from some of the poorest communities in Cambodia and the region, as well as to girls who have traveled from rural provinces to pursue an education, experiences she finds the most impactful and fulfilling.

“My students grew up in extreme poverty, yet they show up every day eager to learn, knowing education is their only way forward,” says Claire.

What strikes her most isn’t the challenge — it’s the determination.

“They are learning English for hours, and they’re excited. They come back early from breaks and say, ‘Teacher, time to learn.’ That kind of motivation is incredible.”

But behind that enthusiasm lies a deeper reality.

“These students have exceptional stories, but they lack the resources to share them.”

During college, Claire was a digital media assistant for Price School, running their website and social media. She saw firsthand how media can connect people, shape narratives, and preserve history.

Now, she wants to bring that power to her students.

Cambodia is a country shaped by resilience. But many stories — especially from older generations — risk being lost.

Claire sees this as urgent.

“There are so many stories that are going away as people grow old and don’t tell them. This is about capturing those voices — and giving young people a platform to share their own,” she says.

“This country has been through so much and is changing every day. Without the resources or space to document it, these stories — essential parts of Cambodian history — will be lost.

From students to grandmothers who lived through conflict and loss, the studio will help preserve voices that matter.

“This is more than a studio — it’s an investment in the next generation of leaders and storytellers.”

Andrew Roberts, CCF’s STEM Coordinator, said the addition of a Story Lab would open new pathways for students to learn, express, and connect.

“A few years ago, none of our students knew what a podcast was. Having a purpose-built studio will allow our students to build confidence, strengthen English and Khmer communication, and develop real-world skills in storytelling, digital media, and critical thinking.

It will give them the tools to shape and share their own stories, while sharing their voices with a wider global audience. Through the Story Lab and with Claire’s support, our students will not only learn about the world, but they will also actively take part in it.”

Claire’s fundraiser to get the Story Lab up and running is already underway.

Family - including her parents, Mark and Ellen, who visited CCF earlier this year - and friends are contributing to the cause.

For Claire, the project is deeply personal.

“I’m happy that I’m contributing to something I feel so connected to. It really pulls on your heart and won’t let go.”

👉 Support Claire’s fundraiser and help bring the studio to life:
https://lnkd.in/gSeAiPq2