Best experience of my life!

Volunteering in Cambodia in the rural village of Chamcar Bei was the best experience I have ever had. I have travelled around the world quite a bit and this trip was nothing like I had done before. Being an International Development student it really opened my eyes to what a developing country needs in the way of infrastructure, economy and the preservation of their history. When you go on a trip with Developing World Connections you learn a lot about the country, the people, the village you stay in and their rich history, but I also learned A LOT about myself. How strong I was, not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally, and also how to deal with life's bumps and bruises and how you can't just give up and go home when you have had a bad day. I always felt safe in the country, including the major cities as well as in the rural villages, never worried about stolen passports or crimes. Volunteering in Cambodia, a country with such a horrific past, shows you how willing the country is for change, to stand up and rebuild their country. Living in the village was an eye opener, I definitely had some ups and downs (I missed running water and electricity), but the silences at night were beautiful, even though you couldn't see, you could feel the beauty of the silence. We had the most amazing house mother Pha and even though she didn't speak english she knew exactly the right time to give you a loving look or hug or just make some tea. Since I got back I have encouraged everyone to volunteer, whether it be locally or internationally, because no matter what the scale, knowing that you have irrevocably changed someones life is the best feeling in the world.