Today we sat down with one of the many international travelers participating in the Greenway School programs in Northern Cambodia. She has traveled extensively prior to coming here and was refreshingly candid and insightful. Chloe B. kindly shared her story of what she has seen, done and learned over the past 7 weeks.

Tell me how you ended up here?
I found myself searching online for places to volunteer and I found an agent. Then I chose Cambodia, even though I had also been considering Sri Lanka. I thought that I would have more opportunities to travel around and wanted to see Angkor Wat. I also had learned that Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the region and spending money and effort here might have the greater impact. Before coming here to Cambodia, I visited Vietnam for a short time and when I leave I will also travel around Thailand and Bali.

How did you choose your program?
Initially I chose the Construction Effort program because it is more closely related to my job/studies at home. But I felt that my presence was more useful in the classroom. I did the construction for a short while and gladly switched to the Greenway School’s English Teaching program. It made sense for me and the kids are amazing!

Did the program, food and accommodation meet your expectations?
Since I changed my program, I did both and I can say it is as I would expect.
The food is real Cambodian and not like what westerners are eating all the time. But I do miss having more variety in the dishes, maybe rice prepared different ways, that would be nice.
I knew that I was not going to a place of luxury with air conditioning and hot water. I read the information sent to me and it was basically as they said.

What has surprised you most?
Pollution. I think this is a beautiful country, but I think they don’t pay so much attention to the pollution and effects. Another thing is that safety doesn’t seem to be so important. They ride motorbikes without helmets, or they are very young and driving them. Also you see many babies and young children on the motor bikes without any protection. That is very different from western culture. The Cambodian people are really friendly, polite and willing to share. They smile a lot.

What has been your greatest challenge here?
Probably the language, because I cannot communicate with them in English when I go to the market. I can use Google Translate or use gestures or something to explain, but it is difficult. The weather is a big challenge because the climate is hot and humid. Also the food, eating differently and not having some things that I am always eating at home, like cheese and salad.

What have you learned personally?
You don’t have to have everything to be happy…
I feel more useful here and can see the impact I am making. Actually, this experience has changed me more than I have helped to make change.

What is your best memory of your time here?
Early in my teaching experience, I wrote the lyrics to “Girl on Fire” on the board for the class because they wanted to know the words to sing. We sang it a lot at first and now maybe once a week. It was really great when Clarisse (another participant) would play the guitar and we would all sing along.

What is your greatest take away from this experience?
The best thing for me was meeting people from all over who came here to do the same thing. Most of them had the same kind of belief, same kind of mind for helping others. Getting to share that experience with them was the best part. Making new friends and traveling with them here.

What is your advice to anyone thinking of coming here?
Don’t come here with your western mind. You should be open-minded because it is not Europe!
Also, don’t bring too much stuff with you. You will never use all of the ‘In case of” stuff that you brought with you. Pack light and take it easy!

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