Frequently Asked Questions: Cambodia

* Frequently asked questions on Travel to Teach
* Frequently asked questions on Teaching
* Frequently asked questions on traveling and packing

Frequently asked questions on Travel to Teach

Why should people pay to do volunteer work?
As we state throughout this web site, we are altogether independent and hence have no external funding. Our purpose is to enable people to have this kind of experience without paying a fortune.

Travel to Teach volunteering is conceived as something between traveling and volunteer work, leaving a lot of time for activities and traveling while the volunteer comes in contact with and contributes to society by working.

Why are you so much cheaper than all the others?
The mission of Travel to Teach is to provide valuable work opportunities and chances to come into contact with the host nation's true culture, all at a cost that can be overcome by most people.

We are an international agency but our head quarters are based in Thailand and thus do not have western "overhead costs". We are cheaper than most agencies yet still maintain a high standard by offering good projects with a personal approach.

Why don't you include food in your fees?
The price of food in Cambodia depends on what you choose to eat. If you eat Khmer you can get by on 50 cents per meal. If you want Western food, you would have to pay about $ 4 per meal.
Therefore, costs are very difficult to calculate. We have found that our participants have very different preferences regarding their food, so we leave it up to them to make their own decisions.

Read more about this on our T2T Costs page.

Living with Travel to Teach
Travel to Teach has one dorm in Phnom Penh. Our dorm is a lovely wooden flat located above the school. Volunteers live in shared rooms, typically two people per room. The flat is equipped with fans, mosquito nets, a western style bathroom, and cable television. The flat is a nice place to stay for an extended period of time but please do not expect luxury.
The dorm is conveniently located within walking distance to many restaurants and points of interest. The Tonle Sap River and public gardens are also nearby.

Can I get a room for myself? If you want to live under any other conditions than the ones we provide as standard, it can always be arranged and we can agree on the costs.

Laundry
There are many different ways in which to do your laundry, at different levels of service. If you don't want to do it yourself you can expect an expense of around $3.

Hygiene standards.
Some things in this country can seem strange or questionable to a Westerner at first glance. Since water has not always been, and still often is not, a readily available commodity, many customs and arrangements are different from those which one is probably accustomed to. Nothing dramatic, just a bit different.

FAQ on Teaching

Classroom situations
Unless you are an experienced teacher we will not leave you alone with a class. You will assist the ordinary teacher. The same goes for IT-teaching. You are mainly required to walk around and help out.

Cambodian society is very hierarchical and teachers command great respect in and out of the classroom. In most of our teaching situations you are required to supply the proper pronunciation and stimulate the students to speak.

Children in Cambodia are often very shy, being used to being very respectful of elders, but they rapidly respond to friendly smiles, tricks and games. Often, playing games, singing, and other creative means of teaching are the most effective methods of learning.

The staff with whom the volunteers will be working will predominantly be regular classroom teachers. They work long hours and will get paid very little every month (about $30). Tact and sensitivity in terms of money matters and cultural issues are a must

Knowledge
A strong working knowledge of English is necessary as well as an interest in children and youth

You do not have to be a professional teacher, have any expert knowledge of either English or IT or computers. You do not even have to have had any experience of teaching English, but you might like to look at a couple of websites or even books on the subject if you are particularly keen! You will find that anything you know or can do is useful and will be appreciated.

Frequently asked questions on traveling and packing

How to get here: Phnom Penh

Air
Phnom Penh has an international airport on the outskirts of the city. We will pick you up from the airport upon arrival. A member of the T2T staff will be waiting with a sign that says Travel to Teach.

Bus
If you arrive overland from elsewhere in Cambodia or South East Asia you must make your own way to the dorm and school. Due to the unorganized and sporadic nature of the bus schedules in Cambodia we are unable to provide pick up. We will provide you with an address and phone numbers to the schools to assist you in making your way to your placement.

What to bring

Clothes, shoes
You must dress properly and according to Khmer standards. This means that women should keep their shoulders covered in classroom situations and not wear shorts (if your shorts cover your knees, this is acceptable). You should be proper and clean.

General:
Don't bring too much. There is plenty of nice, cheap clothing to buy here and you will want empty space in you bags for the many things that you are likely to purchase here! During the rainy season (from May until September) you might want to bring a raincoat. Don't bring any heavy clothing, as you will only be wearing the lightest things you have.

Medicine
If you rely on any medication, you should, of course, bring it. Also, it is advisable to see your doctor and request a prescription for antibiotics in case you get ill during your stay. Thai doctors and hospitals are generally fairly good, but it is convenient to have your own medication.

Bed linens, towels etc.
We will provide you with sheets and covers. Please bring your personal towels. You only need a pair. If you want to go trekking on your own you should bring your own sleeping bag. You don't need to buy a mosquito net. We will provide you with one on your bed.

Mobile phones, computers etc.
A Cambodian sim card costs $20 to purchase. Some networks (especially UK ones) lock their handsets to their network but in Cambodia it is very cheap and easy to unlock these handsets. There is a computer you can use in the dorm to prepare lesson plans etc. Internet is available at a surcharge of $1 per hour.

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