Cambodia Summer: Learning Service & Community Building

There are no words in the English dictionary that can describe this odyssey. It was the most amazing experience in my entire life. I tried new foods I never thought I would love, learned things I was never particularly intrigued by, met people I never thought would leave such an impression, discovered things about myself I never knew, and was led by four incredible instructors who guided me on my journey. I never thought that one trip to Cambodia could drastically impact my life for the better.

Before going on my dragons trip I knew nothing about Cambodia, and if I’m being honest not much about myself either. The instructors for this program were top tier and I found myself learning about cambodia through many different lenses- each which taught me something about myself and the world along the way- this experience encouraged me to open my eyes to parts of the world and life experiences that differ from my own. I learned so much about myself and left the trip a new person. I fully recommend dragons to anyone and everyone, and encourage you to go in with an open mind and open heart.

I have done two programs with Where There Be Dragons, and both were incredible. This program is definitely not for the weak of heart, but it taught me so much about ethical travel and how to be a responsible global citizen. I have never felt so comprehensively immersed in a culture so different from my own. A combination of rugged travel, home stay, cultural immersion and historical education made the trip truly informative, exciting and productive. Expedition phase, in which students plan a small portion of the trip, is also useful for cultivating life skills in travel.

Going to Cambodia with Where There Be Dragons was one of the most transformative experiences of my life thus far. The group leaders were all better than I could have imagined (A norm for Dragons), and their knowledge and thoughtfulness was incredible. I've been on study abroad programs prior, and I can say with pretty much absolute certainty that Dragons is the best organization out there. I literally have no cons to talk about, it was amazing.

However, if you are not someone who is adventurous and willing to "rough it" a little bit (ex. Bucket showers and limited electricity), this program might be more challenging for you.

My experience in Cambodia was incredibly meaningful and eye-opening. Cambodia is built on peaceful Buddhist values that produce a laid back culture. At the same time, a large majority of the population lives in poverty without access to clean water, electricity, and plumbing. The combination of these two factors is interesting, because although people live difficult lives, I found that they made the most of their circumstances and did not resent that which they don’t have. For example, my homestay consisted of an outdoor kitchen, small bathroom where I used a squat toilet and took bucket showers, and communal outdoor space with tables and hammocks. Essentially, they were living a minimalistic life and I was inspired by their ability to separate the link between happiness and material possessions. It was refreshing to be a part of a community where people’s happiness was instead determined by their relationships with family and friends. Additionally, in adapting to a new culture, I practiced mindfulness. In applying deeper thought to my routines and actions, I was able to take advantage of each opportunity to learn and grow. In Cambodia, I constantly shifted my perspective on life at home, realizing that the important things in life are often taken for granted. My increased mindfulness allowed me to return home with greater appreciation and respect for the people around me and my time spent with them. Overall, traveling to Cambodia was an incredibly formative experience that showed me the value of stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

Whether you are called by the vibrant green rice paddies of Southeast Asia or the warm plains of West Africa, travelling with Where There Be Dragons is an inspiring and formative experience. In the summer of 2012 I went to Cambodia with a group of eleven other high school students and a team of three remarkable instructors who each possessed expertise about Cambodia’s culture, history, and development. Four years later, my best friend-whom I met on this trip—and I still speak with our instructors, now mentors, on a variety of topics. There is a sense of community cultivated on Dragon’s courses, which affords a lot of room for personal growth and self-discovery. I can so vividly remember the sparking light cascading though the cracks in my homestay family’s home positioned in a village near Penom Penh. I recall swinging awkwardly in the hammock on the first day, but laughing and cooking with this family by the end of the short week-long stay. Learning to dissolve cultural misunderstanding and see one another was a lesson in perspective that I continue to work on today. This course revealed to me ways of life that are much different from my own, comfortable midwestern lifestyle, but simultaneously, this course impressed upon me that we all share the same world. Cambodia is especially beautiful, fully of rice, iced coffee, wrinkled beetlenut stained smiles, incense, and saffron robes. However, it is also plagues with political vice, human rights violations, limited access to education, and a cruel past. The spirit of Cambodia is infectious—full of determination, kindness and potential. What I learned in and about Cambodia continue to translate into many aspects of my life.

In effort to mirror the lifestyle of Khmer people and fully delve into the beauty of Cambodia, this course is defined as rugged travel. There are times we see unparalleled beauty, but we also stay in modest accommodations. The 5/10 rating is not to deter one from travel, but only to convey a realistic picture of the journey.