Location
  • Cambodia
    • Siem Reap
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)

Pricing

What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Activities Airfare Visa Wifi
Nov 01, 2023
Sep 23, 2023
16 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Visit some of Cambodia’s most affluently built golden temples in Phnom Penh, or wonder at the age-old temple complex of Angkor Wat with a history spanning over 900 years. This is an opportunity to live and work among local communities, and learn about the culture and heritage. You could join traditional cooking classes in your spare time with local community leaders, or travel across the Mekong River with fellow volunteers from around the world. This is an immersive and ethical volunteer experience that works through collaboration, respect and empowerment.

Participate in ethical volunteering projects to support sustainable development in a variety of focus areas, such as; community, health, youth, and women’s empowerment. GVI measures its impact against the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and sets short- and long-term objectives for each program.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Volunteer ethically to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals of a project.
  • Travel to one of Cambodia’s most monumental UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Angkor Wat.
  • Improve your practical skills through teaching, healthcare workshops, environmental awareness classes, economic empowerment initiatives and youth development.
  • Meet people from around the world, while also better understanding the culture of the local community.
  • Become a global citizen as you expand your awareness on leading global issues, and actively engage in different cultural practices.

Popular Programs

Volunteer leading a workshop in Cambodia

Head to Siem Reap province to support local women's empowerment. Deliver English lessons and life-skills workshops to foster personal and professional growth. Your effort directly enhances women's access to education and job prospects, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality.

Intern leading class of monks in Cambodia

In Siem Reap, Cambodia, teach English to Buddhist monks and local kids. Work with the pagoda in the afternoons to enhance monks' English skills and teach children basic English in our educational centres. Gain teaching experience and leadership skills while exploring Cambodia's culture and making lifelong friends.

Interns working with children in Cambodia

Teach English, environmental awareness, arts and crafts, and health and exercise to children in Kampong Cham. Your efforts assist in the social and basic-skill development of community youth. Improve your own teaching skills while experiencing a new environment and culture and meeting people both locally and from different international backgrounds.

Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 27 reviews
  • 5 rating 88.89%
  • 4 rating 11.11%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.85
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.9
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 27 reviews
Default avatar
India
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

such a great experience!

My experience with GVI was great! My program was very well organised and the staff were so friendly and helpful. I was able to engage in very rewarding work and I felt like I was really making a difference. I had the opportunity to meet some great people. I would definitely use GVI again and I highly recommend them!
The location of my program was great, as I was able to spend my free time exploring the city with other volunteers. (eg, going to the circus, visiting an elephant sanctuary, seeing a lotus farm)

Pros
  • Rewarding
  • Social
  • Well organised
21 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey India,

Thank you so much for providing feedback, and such positive feedback at that! We always build on feedback wherever possible, so I'll pass your comments along to those involved. It's also lovely to hear you made use of your free time to explore the city too!

I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with us - join us again soon!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Sara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the best months of my life!

I recently volunteered with GVI in Cambodia, Siem Reap. I focused on women’s empowerment and I worked with Banteay Srei, a Cambodian NGO supporting women. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this experience was. From emerging yourself in a different culture and lifestyle, to constantly being challenged intellectually, to working with the greatest and most inspiring group of people, to getting to know the amazing, kind, and friendly Cambodian community, to having the best laughs with the other volunteers and the program coordinators. This experience made me want to keep travelling all over the world, volunteering, and helping women. It was truly eye-opening. I would advise anyone to get on this program without a doubt. :))

Pros
  • Inspired by the Cambodian Community
  • Opportunity to impact society
  • Lifetime friendships
31 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Sara

What a wonderful review! It's so great to hear you felt a strong connection with the community. Building that bond is what makes the experience special. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much that you want to continue traveling. Thank you for the thoughtful review, and we can't wait to have you back soon!

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Rosanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Cambodia

I have been wanting to volunteer for years. I did some research into what different agencies offered and GVI came out on top. I went to Cambodia for 2 weeks to teach English and work with an NGO supporting women! By the end of the first week, I was trying to rearrange flights to stay. The group I volunteered with was amazing, Pat the project coordinator was supportive, inspiring and down to earth, and the Khmer people were beautiful. The base GVI has in Cambodia felt like home and I would go back tomorrow if I could. The need is immense in Cambodia and the local community welcomes support and help with open arms. The teachers love having English speaking volunteers just as much as the students and you witness your impact almost instantly. Your contribution, opinions, and time is valued and greatly appreciated. I would highly recommend and encourage people of any age to participate in an opportunity and experience like this. It changes your perspective about what’s really important and opens your eyes to real world issues, and how each of us can really make a difference. I am committed to continuing to bring hope and support to those that need it.

47 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hi Rosanna!

Thank you for your review, your experience sounds incredible! I'm pleased to hear you felt supported and inspired through this experience. It's also heartwarming that you became part of the community and you were able to see the impact you had as well! I hope that we will see you again in the future.

All the best,
Tiffany (GVI Outreach Team)

Default avatar
Stella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

best experience ever!

This trip has provided me with so much. It has broadened my perspective on so many aspects of teamwork, creativity, and leadership. I ave loved being her in Cambodia and have felt so welcomed and accepted by not only GVI staff, but the community members as well.I have loved teaching English to such amazing and unique students. The best part of my trip has been developing friendships with so many people involved on my program.I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking for an experience to teach and help a local community of amazing people.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was teaching my first class, but I overcame this through the support of my team. They helped me through all the steps until i was confident to teach an amazing lesson!
119 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Stella, thanks for your review! You are always welcome to come back as quickly as you like! We'd love to have your input and passion back on base.

Default avatar
Xander
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GVI HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!!

This is my 2nd time voluenteering with GVI, and both times they have been absolutely eye opening expierences. Not only giving me the resources and tools to teach and lead a classroom but also allowing me to immerse myself into the culture of these wonderful places. With wonderful staff who will provide you with thorough training so you always feel like prepared for any task they put in front of you. But they are not hovering over you they allow you to plan your lessons and lead class without being overbearing, but do not fret someone is always near by if you ever find yourself needing assistance. At the time i was the only non-staff volunteer which can be daunting, but the amazing staff helped lighten the load. Twice now GVI has astounded me and I'm sure they will continue to, because I hope on working with them in the future.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Spiders yummy 😋. can't recommend them enough. Just have to get over the fact that they are creepy crawlies.
112 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Xander, thanks for your great review! I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with us as much as you did. Your hard work and efforts have certainly impacted this project in a meaningful way. Please do keep on spreading your love for GVI. And obviously, we would love to see you back on base soon!

Default avatar
Harriet
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing 6 weeks!

I did a 6 week short term development internship where I taught English to monks and local children. It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to anyone! In between lessons I did lesson planning and research for my project. The Kampong Cham hub is really friendly and welcoming. On the weekends we had opportunity to explore the country, I visited Siem Reap, Phnom Penh and Kampot. In between lessons there is time to walk about and get to see Kampong Cham, the base is situated by the Mekong River which is a really nice view, especially at sunsets. Teaching everyday was a real highlight, it really improved my confidence in leading a class and improved my organisational skills by preparing lessons before hand. I gained a lot of valuable skills during the 6 weeks of my Internship.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would bring more resources to the base e.g pens, pencils, colours
118 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Harriet, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English in Cambodia!

Teaching English in Cambodia was undoubtedly a life-changing experience. While empowering the community and working towards sustainable development, I also felt empowered and experienced a tremendous amount of growth! All of my fears of being unqualified for teaching, having no prior experience, were quickly dismantled. The training we received and materials and outlines given for lesson planning made it so much easier than I anticipated! I had such an amazing time teaching in the classrooms and engaging with the children in fun, educational ways!
Apart from the volunteer work, I met the most incredible people that will end up being life-long friends (we're already planning a reunion!). Not to mention, Cambodia is a beautiful country full of rich culture, colors, and nature. I would definitely recommend GVI and this location/program for anyone looking to volunteer (ethically) abroad!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate all kinds of exotic and funky looking fruits while here!
114 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Jessica, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Default avatar
Martyna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English in Cambodia

It was amazing experience and the best travel that I ever have!
People in Cambodia are super nice and friendly. Stuff from GVI and others volunteers made me feel like home. Teaching younger kids English was amazing experience but also it was a lot of fun!
Teaching monks was actually the best, but it's hard to describe the feeling you have when you're doing it, but it's more then marvelousness.
Food here is really delicious, but you need to get used to it.
Cambodia is a beautiful country with a lot of beautiful places to visit. For these who are looking for a place to go and just look around i would definitely recommend Siem Reap- Angkor Wat which is old temple. We went there when the sun was coming up and the view was breathtaking.
I wish I could stay longer and made more beautiful memories and also can't wait to come back!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
2 weeks was not enough! When you finally get used to the food, people and different culture you need to go back. Cambodia is a beautiful country where there are many amazing places to go and visit.
117 people found this review helpful.
Response from GVI

Hey Martyna, thanks for your review! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience with us and enjoyed your time on base as much as you did. We'd love to have you back on base sometime soon!

Questions & Answers