About the Author

Navy Phim was born in Battambang, Cambodia in April 1975, the month that the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. In 1979 when the Khmer Rouge was overthrown, her family left Cambodia for the refugee camp in Thailand. After a few years in different refugee camps in Thailand and a year in the Philippines, her family arrived in the United States in 1984. Her first destination in the United State was New Mexico. After three months in New Mexico, her family moved to San Jose, California to reunite with other relatives and be part of a bigger Cambodian community. In 1990, her family moved to Long Beach and since then Navy has continued to be part of the Cambodian community in Long Beach, celebrating their culture in their new home.

Navy obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1999. She also received a Master of Science in Counseling, Student Development in Higher Education from California State University, Long Beach in December 2006.

Navy is a world traveler and has returned to Thailand and Cambodia. She has also traveled to England, Scotland, India, Nepal, Peru, Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada.