Welcome to the best website for information about Peace Corps Cambodia! If you’re thinking about volunteering in Cambodia, you found the right place. We’ll tell you about the history of Peace Corps in Cambodia. We’ll also explore Cambodia as a country. You can learn the languages spoken there. You can also read about other volunteers’ experiences. Here you can find info on safety and health too. We’ll also share how to contact former Peace Corps volunteers who were in Cambodia. Get ready to learn more to help decide if volunteering in Cambodia is good for you.
Volunteers in Cambodia work on projects in Education (leave in October).
What is the History of Peace Corps Cambodia?
Peace Corps Cambodia has a history dating back to 2006 when it started again after a long break of 35 years. Originally, it began in 1962 but had to stop in 1975 because of problems in Cambodia. When things got better in Cambodia, Peace Corps returned to help. They did different things to help, like teaching English, working on health projects, and helping communities become better.
The programs of Peace Corps in Cambodia changed over time to match what the country needed. Currently, volunteers are teaching English to help local schools and their communities.
What about Cambodia as a nation?
Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia with a fascinating history. It’s famous for its ancient temples, like Angkor Wat. Around 16 million people live there, and its capital is Phnom Penh. Cambodia has faced tough times, including a tragic period called the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. But lately, it’s been getting stronger economically, thanks to tourism and making things. Most people in Cambodia practice Buddhism, and they speak Khmer. But, there are still challenges with how the country is run, human rights, and differences in how people live. Cambodia has a rich history and culture that continue to shape its present.
What languages do they speak in Cambodia?
The main language spoken in Cambodia is Khmer, sometimes referred to as Cambodian. Khmer is the official language used in everyday life, schools, government, and the media. You might hear other languages like English, French, or local dialects, especially in cities. But Khmer is the most important language in Cambodia.
During their service, Peace Corps Cambodia volunteers learn to speak Khmer.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Cambodia?
In general, 92% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Cambodia. And 96% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 20% of volunteers early terminated mostly due to resignation and medical reasons. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Cambodia Crime, Harassment, and Early Termination of Service Data.
Most of the medical problems seen in Cambodia are also found in the United States, such as colds,
diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Cambodia because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Cambodia are dengue fever, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, lack of clean drinking water, traffic accidents, diarrhea, skin infections, dental problems, headaches,
respiratory infections, minor injuries, and STIs. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease-producing microorganisms. As malaria is endemic in Cambodia, Volunteers are required to take anti-malarial medication
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Cambodia can be found in the Cambodia Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Cambodia?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 96% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 96% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 96% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Cambodia Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about Peace Corps Cambodia volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Cambodia. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Alex (Education) 2023-25
- Michele (Health) – 2017-19
- Amber (Education) – 2019-20
- Kelsey (Health) – 2016-18
- Alec (Education) – 2014-16
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Cambodia, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Cambodia with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Cambodia?
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Cambodia?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Cambodia
- Projects in Cambodia
- Stories from Cambodia
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Cambodia“, published in 2015. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Cambodia. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post gave you information to help decide if volunteering in Cambodia is a good fit. You learned about the culture, languages, and development of Cambodia. We also discussed safety issues and health info important for volunteers. And, we shared how to contact former Peace Corps volunteers. For more on Peace Corps Cambodia, you can check the Peace Corps website or the resources here. We hope this post was useful for finding information on Peace Corps Cambodia.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Cambodia Government.
