Best Abroad Experience! Fall in Love with Cambodia May 16, 2025
By Mia L (Environmental Science, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/27/2025 to 05/09/2025 with
The School for Field Studies / SFS: Cambodia – Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies
I gained so many fieldwork techniques through the field experiences. through the ethics of development class and all the interviews we conducted, I feel like I view conservation work differently which will help me be more conscious about how conservation impacts locals. I feel like I got a hollistic look at conservation in Cambodia which I can apply to my jobs in the future.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes are all pretty front loaded so that most of our time can be spent travelling. As a result, the first three weeks are basically all lectures. The proessors are all so passionate about their subjects, and most topics pair with an in-field activity which helps understanding some of the more difficult topics. The workload is spread out, but can add up if left to the last minute. The whole last month is spent doing research and it was nice to only focus on that one project as it takes up all of your time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Maly and Pich are the best ever! I was never hungry and there were always options. Every meal ends with plates of fresh fruit and there's a nice variety of meals offered |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had many excerices talking to locals, shopping in local markets, and attending religious ceremonies and community activities. There was always something to do. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Siem Reap, luckily, has an internaitonal hospital which provided me with quick and sufficient care. I was able to get my tests and results in the same day. There are several pharmicies around the city and they should have most of what people are looking for. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a moment that I felt unsafe. However, we never went out by ourselves at night. For rides, I would always use an app so you know who is driving you and that they know where you are going. We also avoided the dogs on the street as they can sometimes be aggressive. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
though I wish the curriculum had more science, I had the best time on this program. I fell in love with Cambodia and I feel like I learned so much. The experiences they have in Cambodia are not offered on any other program and I would do it again if I could. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
In Cambodia, the cost of living is very low so things are incredibly cheap, so it was very easy to not spend money. The center provides all meals, but we often went into the city for dinners. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $15 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would plan how much money you are willing to spend a week and save up for non-program times as you need to provide for yourselves. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We were always practicing and trying to speak to locals so that we could learn. When buying clothes, jewelry, or food from a stall, things would be cheaper for us if we tried to speak the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 104 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Record how the professor says things as it can be hard to replicate the sounds. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew more about Cambodian history. I went in knowing next to nothing and I wish I had done more background research. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
