General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
I had an amazing experience in Cambodia and was very grateful to do an internship of Law in a developing country. I feel like it is a rare opportunity.Moreover, I loved to visit the country and I felt way more safe than I though I would hav considering I traveled alone as an 18 year old girl. It was great to have the opportunity to meet other volunteers in the guesthouse.
Lastly, I feel like it would be best to have more information about where the enormous money we give in the beginning goes, as transport costs between $3-6 per day, we have to pay for the laundry to be done in our guesthouse, the AC costs $8 per day, and I wasn't sure if the NGO I was working with received any part of my payment. More transparency would be appreciated.
[Thanks Blanka, the fees covered your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up and program coordination and support].
Country
Cambodia was lovely, full of culture, and with very nice people. The weekends were an opportunity to visit cities other from Phnom Penh with other volunteers.
This way, I got to see Siem Reap, Battambang, Koh Rong, Kampot, and the Aoral District.
Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised by the prices as they were a lot lower than in France except for Western countries and touristic areas.
Then, I loved the opportunity to rent motorbikes and ride in cities, on country roads, or dirtroads. It was a great way to discover the area. It can however be dangerous.
Lastly, Phnom Penh offers great opportunities to go out, to discover the intriguing history of Cambodia, or experience fully the Khmer culture. The guesthouse volunteers are all nice and form a family.
This way, I got to see Siem Reap, Battambang, Koh Rong, Kampot, and the Aoral District.
Firstly, I was pleasantly surprised by the prices as they were a lot lower than in France except for Western countries and touristic areas.
Then, I loved the opportunity to rent motorbikes and ride in cities, on country roads, or dirtroads. It was a great way to discover the area. It can however be dangerous.
Lastly, Phnom Penh offers great opportunities to go out, to discover the intriguing history of Cambodia, or experience fully the Khmer culture. The guesthouse volunteers are all nice and form a family.
Project & Staff
One major barrier in my project of promoting human rights with a local NGO was language. Indeed, although the staff (2 people) had some English level, Khmer was needed when organizing events, reaching out to communities so it handicapped me in my endeavours.
However, I still had a big range of responsibilities including project proposals, concept notes, budget management, communication with international partners, ...
The staff was welcoming, I felt helpful while working with them.
However, I still had a big range of responsibilities including project proposals, concept notes, budget management, communication with international partners, ...
The staff was welcoming, I felt helpful while working with them.
Tips
Don't hesitate to travel on weekends, it is really worth discovering Cambodia in its whole
I feel like it is best to come for at least 1 month to have the time to fully experience the country.
Take care of you phone, money, and personal belongings, they are easily lost or stolen.
I feel like you don't have appropriate clothes you can find cheap items in the local markets.
I feel like it is best to come for at least 1 month to have the time to fully experience the country.
Take care of you phone, money, and personal belongings, they are easily lost or stolen.
I feel like you don't have appropriate clothes you can find cheap items in the local markets.