Jun 28 - Jul 25, 2026 |
Explore ancient temples, engage with grassroots change makers, and uncover Cambodia’s deep cultural roots and modern challenges—from environmental justice to human rights—on this immersive, inspiring, and thought-provoking journey.
Gain 20+ hours of hands-on experience while learning what it means to serve responsibly and sustainably
Explore human rights, international aid, conflict transformation, and development through real-world conversations and experiences
Live with welcoming homestay families to understand daily life and practices in Cambodia
Deepen mindfulness and compassion by studying Buddhist principles and practicing guided reflection in sacred spaces
Our program begins in the overgrown temples of Angkor civilization which hold the secrets to the ecological and architectural wonders of a culture that ruled much of Southeast Asia for nearly a thousand years. Here we explore the storied ruins to discover the traditions that have endured throughout the centuries of changing power.
Continuing past the floating villages of Lake Tonle Sap, we gain insight into the effects of upriver dams on the ecology of Cambodia’s largest body of freshwater and discuss environmental issues that are critical to Cambodia’s food security. Our course continues on to the sleepy city of Battambang where we meet with dedicated NGO representatives working on education, child rights, and anti-orphanage tourism initiatives.
In Phnom Penh, we confront the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge genocide, build empathy with the Cambodian people, and gain context around Cambodia’s present day political landscape. We meet with activists and artists who call one of Asia’s hippest emerging cities home.
Finally we make our way to the coastal village of Kampot, where we engage in a community-run mangrove restoration project and celebrate the final days of our course reflecting with group members near the sea.
Upon arriving in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, we retreat to the tranquil grounds of Meta Karuna Reflection Centre, lying on the outskirts of Siem Reap and the famed Angkor Wat temple complex. Here we orient ourselves to the course goals and begin laying the groundwork of our intentions and expectations for the month-long journey to come.
We continue our journey to the artistic capital of Cambodia, Battambang, a magical place, full of colonial architecture, hilltop temples, and laidback galleries, offering a perfect blend of relative modernity and small-town friendliness. We spend our days meeting with English speaking local Theravada monks at Wat Phiphetaram to learn about how Buddhism influences the everyday life of local people. We also visit the Cambodian Children’s Trust (CCT), an NGO set up to educate others about the dangers of orphanages and orphanage tourism worldwide.
Next we move onto the homestay portion of the course, where we live with local families in traditional Khmer homes and surrender to the daily routine of the island of Koah Ksach Tonlea. Life on the island revolves around the sun and the seasons and depends wholly upon the bounty of the earth.
Moving into the final week of the course, students venture to Kampot for their Expedition Phase. Using their new travel skills, students organize transport, bargain with tuk-tuk drivers and design activities with the help of instructors. We learn about the garment industry, swing on vines inside a bat cave, discuss the realities of the Khmer Rouge, and hike through the forest to bathe in a pristine waterfall. Kampot also offers student a chance to learn about the Cham Muslim people of Cambodia while assisting the community with a mangrove restoration project meant to keep rising salt water from inundating crops. In these calm environs, with our hands in the wet sand, we engage in transference activities aimed at self-reflection and in celebration of the incredible encounters we’ve had over the last month.
Our Program Components are the building blocks of every travel experience we offer. Each program emphasizes different activities and themes to help you meaningfully connect with your surroundings. The Program Components are a great way to find an experience that best fits your individual interests and goals.
To deepen your experience abroad, you may choose to enroll in one optional college-level course during the program. For those who choose to enroll, they will be invoiced for an additional college credit fee on top of the program cost.
Students who take a college credit course will receive an official transcript from our university School of Record upon successful completion of the program. Taking advantage of the college credit option may make 529 plan funds eligible toward the entire program cost.
Through our School of Record, you have the option to enroll in one of the following courses for college credit:
Experienced educators. Community builders. Life mentors. With deep regional expertise and local language fluency, our instructors are skilled at providing context for the student experience and building cultural bridges. We collectively draw upon personal networks to create opportunities for connection and guide students along their journey.
