7 Interesting Things to Know about Cambodia

After the devastating reign of the murderous dictator Pol Pot, Cambodia is now one of Asia’s crown jewels. That being said, any traveler or expat moving to Southeast Asia should include a visit to Cambodia on their list. Here are 7 interesting facts about this vibrant country that will be sure to whet your appetite for the Kingdom of Wonder.

·         The Royal Ballet

Cambodia’s Royal Ballet was founded in 1959 by Queen Sisowath Kossamak Nearyrath, mother of the current king. It has developed into one of the best ballet companies in Asia. Aside from this fact, this country is unique for its requirement that dancers be able to sing as well as dance since all performances are accompanied by an orchestra. Besides, dancers are trained rigorously in the classical tradition and performances are presented by invitation only at special state occasions.

·         Angkor Wat

Angkor is a massive complex of ancient temples, shrines, palaces and other buildings constructed by the Khmer empire between the ninth century A.D. and early 15th century. This place includes numerous monuments of sandstone, laterite and brick construction.

Angkor Wat is the largest of these monuments. Not only is that, but was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu it now honors all three of Cambodia’s main religions (Buddhism, Christianity and Islam). Today, it has become one of Cambodia’s most popular destinations for both visitors and international pilgrims.

·         Kampujng Provincial Museum

Kampong is the Cambodian word for village and most provincial capitals in Cambodia have a local museum. The one in Kampong Chhnang province, where Kampung Cham is located, displays artifacts found during Angkor excavation projects which were carried out around the city of Siem Reap starting in the 1860s. The museum is housed in an old colonial building that was most recently used as the provincial hospital.

·         Cuisine

Cambodia’s cuisine makes great use of fresh herbs and spices. Popular dishes include amok (fish baked with lemon grass, lime leaves, coconut milk and ginger), Nom Banh Chok (fried beef served over rice noodles) and Thit Kho (braised pork with lemon grass, ginger, garlic and fish sauce).

·         The Killing Fields

The Choeung Ek killing fields just outside of Phnom Penh are part of what was known as the S-21 prison camp. Tens of thousands were murdered here by Pol Pot’s Khymer Rouge for no reason other than their ethnicity or perceived opposition to the regime. Visitors will find a memorial stupa that houses 8,985 skulls. Not only is that, but there are many other countless personal effects the victims were forced to leave behind before being led away to their execution.

·         Border Crossing

The border crossing from Thailand into Cambodia is not far from the world-famous town of Pattaya. For backpackers, it offers a gateway to the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem which are considered by many to offer some of the best diving in Asia.

·         Water Festival

This is another interesting fact about Cambodia. The Water Festival, also known as ‘Boun Bang Fai’ is celebrated in May or June. The festival is tied to the agricultural cycle and marks the end of the winter rice planting season. Moreover, It includes 3 days of parades, boat races and fireworks displays. A popular part of celebrations is lighting giant bamboo poles on fire which are then floated out into the center of rivers by groups of men holding onto ropes connected to one end of the pole.

Pros of Living in Cambodia as an Expat

1.       Safety

Cambodia is generally a safe country. The crime rate is comparable to most European countries, and there are increasing efforts by the police force to crack down on bike thieves (which were anecdotally reported as being rampant).

However, the most dangerous thing in Cambodia is actually the traffic – with reckless driving, speeding through red lights, and very crowded streets. Most Cambodians are unaffected by the crime, but there are increasing reports of tourists being robbed or pick-pocketed in main cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. As always, however, exercise typical precautions at night, and don’t walk down dark alleys alone.

2.       Expat Community

The expat community in Cambodia is a growing pool, and there are a lot of options to choose from regarding work. There are volunteers from various international organizations, NGOs, embassies etc. Also, English teachers have been increasing in number, ranging from full-time university lecturers to part-time private tutors.

There’s a lot of demand for teachers, and salaries are much better than in neighboring countries. In addition, there’s also a pool of expats that have been living in Cambodia for many years. This way, they can give useful information about the country and culture to those who wish to stay long-term.

3.       Food

Cambodian food is delicious, as mentioned earlier, and very cheap in price. There are 3 major national dishes: amok (fish in curry), poh piah (spring rolls) and lok lak which is made of either beef or chicken stir-fried with garlic, pepper, carrot & onion served on a bed of lettuce or cabbage are quite popular.

4.       Recreation

As it is a tropical country, Cambodia offers many outdoor activities for those who like to stay active. Some of the more common activities are visiting the various temples (Angkor Wat, Bayon etc), snorkeling at Sihanoukville, Kampot and other locations along the southern coast, rock climbing at Phnom Kulen and bouldering at Kracheh (close to Phnom Penh).

5.       Cost of Living in Cambodia

Cambodia is an inexpensive country for expats, and in fact one of the cheapest in Southeast Asia when it comes to food, rent and general costs of living compared with Thailand or Vietnam. This way, you can easily relocate to the country, and live a good and healthy life without disturbance from third-party.

Cons of Living in Cambodia

1.       Traffic

Traffic in Cambodia is chaotic and dangerous. Aside from this fact, there’s reckless driving, speeding through red lights and very crowded streets. These factors has made Cambodia has some of the most terrifying traffic in the world. Roads are narrow, congested, and cars rarely obey stoplights.

There are no lane markers on many roads, so drivers just stay near the middle of the road to avoid any collisions that might occur when they all move at once. In this case, you need to be aware of motorcyclists, who zip in and out of traffic with almost no regard for their own or others’ safety. Meanwhile, they’re not easy to spot when you’re busy looking at the chaos that is Cambodian traffic.

2.       Corruption

Although there have been efforts by the government to reduce corruption in Cambodia, but it is still a major problem in the country. This is mostly due to an underpaid police force which relies on unofficial payments from motorists when they are stopped for traffic violations

3.       Pollution

Pollution is another problem of living in this country as an expat. Cambodia has some of the worst pollution in the world. In fact, vehicles spew out smoke like chimneys and dust obscures your view on even a clear day.

Conclusion

If you want to get to the top positions in the world, it’s quite essential to have a volunteer experience. Notwithstanding, some companies might require a skills, but working as a volunteer could build up a relevant skills as well. In Cambodia, there are many things to explore, that’s why reading this article could be of help. Nonetheless, refer to this platform for more information about Cambodia.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Not many people know what an NGO actually is. They are quite commonly mistaken as the same thing as non-profit organizations which they are not. But they do have a lot of things in common and that’s why international volunteering opportunities with NGOs and non-profits can be very similar.

An NGO is a Non-Governmental Organization that you’re probably already familiar with. In fact, the World Wildlife Foundation is a good example of that or Amnesty International. But the uniting factor in NGOs is that they are not governmental organizations and their main objectives are quite different.

What they do is to try and affect some kind of social change such as education equality in all countries, stopping world hunger, and many other things. Not only is that, but Non-profits also work towards the same goal of making the world a better place, but they are often smaller and more local.

In Cambodia today, there are many NGOs working in different fields. Just to name some examples: First Step Cambodia works on the issue of child prostitution while Cambodian Volunteers for Community Development work towards education equality among children, And Afesip Cambodia that helps victims of human trafficking.

So what kind of jobs can you get or volunteer? The simplest answer is: anything. Besides, worry less, as we’ve got you covered on this platform. We have compiled this article to explain the kind of jobs and volunteering opportunities that exist in Cambodia NGOs, and Non Profit. Are you ready to see what we’ve unleash for you? Well, continue reading to get the details of what we’re talking about.

Understanding Cambodia NGOs and Non Profit Opportunities

You can be a volunteer English teacher in primary schools. Not only is that, but you can help out with the construction of houses for villagers, and work on human rights issues. Moreover, you can even teach children about AIDS prevention, and many others to mention a few.

As of today, the job market for Cambodia isn’t very good and many locals work for very small salaries. This way, the international volunteering industry has become quite popular. Some people work as volunteers just to spend their vacation while others volunteer because they want to travel the world.

In the long run, they help out at the same time but there are also those who genuinely believe in changing society for the better and will do almost anything to achieve that goal. In spite of that, there are many websites you can navigate to as an expat, suitable for international volunteering opportunity.

Some of these platforms include; such as www.cambodiavolunteer.org or www.volunthai.com. Even though it’s a good way to spend your time and enjoy different country at the same time, always keep in mind that these opportunities aren’t always easy. Meanwhile, you’ll have to adjust yourself to a different kind of lifestyle, working hours and culture, but in the end it can be well worth it.

Useful Tips When Preparing For International Volunteering Experience

Before you pack your belongings and travel abroad for any international volunteering experience, there are many things to consider. As an expat, you have to get a to-do list of what you’ll achieve and your plans as a volunteer. In this section, we have compiled some useful tip that’d help you in the long run.

·         Don’t Go Abroad With No Idea

Try not to go abroad with absolutely no idea or plan about what you’re going to be doing, unless you’re quite confident in your abilities and like to improvise.

·         Do Your Researches before You Travel To Any Region

As an expat, it’s quite good to make a list of NGOs, Non-profits and their respective fields (the more specific the better). Besides, it’s also essential to get in touch with them through email or social media. These kinds of organizations usually welcome people who want to help out but don’t expect them to hire you without asking any questions. Of course, you can always write a letter introducing yourself and ask if they have any international volunteering opportunities for this year.

• Try to get in touch with the person responsible for volunteers – Nobody knows better than what the organizers can tell you about the job description and the kinds of people that are needed at that particular time and place.
• Make sure that the country you’re going to be living in safe, and healthy for expat
• Don’t take anything for granted because these kinds of opportunities are mostly about building relationships. This way, if you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to ask questions before deciding whether or not to go abroad.

Kinds of Jobs and Volunteering Opportunities in Cambodia

There are countless numbers of jobs opportunities and volunteering jobs today in Cambodia today. While some require specific educational background or professional licenses, others only need the passion to pursue it.

As a country that has experienced tragic war for many years, Cambodia still faces many social issues. In fact, poverty is widespread in the cities and countryside of this Southeast Asian nation. Not only is that, but Cambodia is one of the poorest nations in Asia Pacific region.

Again, the economy of Cambodia continues to grow steadily but slowly, with projected GDP growth at 6% – 8% annually. Incomes remain low, with GDP per capita estimated to be around USD 1,300 in 2010, representing a real increase of about 2.5 percent annually from 2003 to 2010 (UNDP).

However, Cambodia has implemented many initiatives aimed at poverty reduction and improving life for its citizens. Cambodia Country Strategy Paper, The Cambodian Development Cooperation strategy paper, and many others is a roadmap for development in Cambodia for 2010-2015.

Additionally, the Strategy was approved by the Council of Ministers on March 18, 2010 with an overall objective to contribute to poverty reduction and socio-economic development through sound macroeconomic planning and effective use of available resources.

There are many opportunities to work as a volunteer at orphanages. However, volunteering is the perfect way to experience this beautiful country and help those in need. Without further ado, below are the top 10 kind of jobs and volunteering opportunities that exist in the country.

1)      Teach English

This may be one of the most popular volunteer activities, and it makes a big difference for Cambodian kids to learn English. You can find any type of teaching opportunity, from tutoring a child after school to teaching English in an orphanage.

Also, you can teach in a public or private school, though it may be good to have a background check if you’ll be working with children. This is because; some schools prefer their teachers to have teaching certificates and/or experience. More so, if you want something social work related, you can also teach English to adults at language schools or colleges.

2)      Teach Math, Science, or Technology

Another volunteer opportunity is teaching students difficult or harder subjects like math, science, computer skills, etc. However, schools are always looking for volunteers to help with this type of things. In this case, it might be easier than you’d think to find an opportunity.

3)      TEFL Certification

As an expats, it would be better if you can get your teaching certificate before coming to Cambodia. This will give you more options for teaching positions, and sometimes schools prefer it if their teachers have a TEFL certification. So, if you want to teach after getting your certificate, but don’t want to do the course beforehand, there are some online options as well.

4)      English Corner

A fun way to practice speaking English with native speakers is going to an English corner. You can meet people and have a good time by just talking in English in Cambodia. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, it’s a great chance, and opportunity to meet new people and improve your language skills.

5)      Online Teaching

If you are not able to come to Cambodia, but still want to teach English, there are some options for you too! You can become a teacher on VIPKID and teach kids from China. It’s an easy system where the kids can see you via webcam and follow your instructions. You don’t need experience or TEFL certification, just a bachelor’s degree.

6)      Medical Internship

We understands that it may not sound the most appealing at first, but a medical internship in Cambodia is a great way to save lives. You’ll be helping real doctors and nurses at clinics and hospitals, which will definitely give you some great experiences.

7)      Volunteering with Animals

Cambodia has many amazing places to go to volunteer with animals. As an expat, you can help elephants, tigers, monkeys, and many others to mention a few. There are so many opportunities here that it may be difficult to choose just one, but you’ll certainly have a blast helping out these beautiful creatures.

8)      Climb the Angkor Wat Temples

If you’re interested in history, this is one of the best ways to help Cambodia. Volunteering with temples is a great way to give back to the country and explore at the same time. You’ll do whatever you’re comfortable doing, whether it’s cooking for people or serving as an extra set of eyes by watching over the site. There are many different kinds of temple volunteer opportunities available depending on how much you’re willing to help.

9)      Teach at a Special Needs Center

This type of teaching is very helpful for Cambodian children who may have developmental disabilities or mental health problems. You can start by teaching English to people who want to learn, but if you think you could go further there are other options as well. You can teach music or art, and if you want to do something more social work related, there are opportunities where you help the students with their school work too.

10) Work with Children at an Orphanage

If you love kids, this is an excellent way to go. Cambodia has a lot of orphanages that always need help, so you might be able to volunteer even if it’s only for a short time. Working at an orphanage is a mixture of fun and serious stuff. You can teach English, play games with the children, etc., but there will also be some tasks around the compound where you’ll have to do things like clean or cook for everyone.

Furthermore, even if you don’t choose one of these volunteer opportunities mentioned above, there are always other ways to help out Cambodia. You can fundraise or donate money on websites like GoFundme, then meet with NGOs that will distribute the funds directly to people who need them.

Sometimes even just writing a letter is enough! If it’s your birthday, you can ask for money instead of gifts. There are endless possibilities, and it all helps Cambodian people in one way or another. So if you’re looking to do something great and give back to Cambodia, any of these volunteer opportunities will be a good place to start.