In this interview, we hear from Alma Foley. Alma is working as a Peace Corps Education volunteer in Cambodia. What Alma shares gives us a better understanding of the work volunteers do. We learn about the challenges, rewards, and personal growth that happens from volunteering in a new place. Alma talks about living in a different country, working with local people, and dealing with surprise situations. Join us as we learn about Alma’s journey and see how volunteering with Peace Corps can change lives.
Table of Contents
- Volunteer Experience and Motivation
- Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
- Surprises and Challenges
- Advice and Support
- Practical Tips and Language Learning
- Social Media & Final Thoughts
Volunteer Experience and Motivation
1. Can you tell us more about serving as an Education volunteer in Cambodia?
My daily work in Cambodia is dynamic and ever-changing—no two weeks are the same, largely due to the many national and local holidays observed here. I genuinely enjoy my role. I work approximately 20 hours a week in structured teaching with 12 counterpart teachers, primarily in homeroom classrooms for grades 4 through 6. Class sizes typically range from 30 to 50 students.
In the mornings, I collaborate with my counterpart teachers to lesson plan. Some of them are very engaged, and we plan together regularly; others have fuller schedules and rely more on me to lead lessons independently. Through both co-teaching and solo teaching, I’ve gained a wide range of classroom management strategies and instructional techniques.
Before joining the Peace Corps, I taught outdoor education in the U.S., so I especially enjoy incorporating movement and games into my lessons. Taking students outside for interactive activities has been a great way to build engagement and make learning fun.
2. What motivated you to join the Peace Corps and choose Cambodia?
I actually didn’t choose Cambodia, Cambodia chose me! I was happy to receive this placement. I wanted to join the Peace Corps to fulfill a lifelong dream of learning a new language. I can say in this role I have been able to do that.
Living Arrangements and Cultural Integration
3. Tell us more about your home situation
An All Female Host Family
I live with an incredibly supportive host family, which has made a huge difference in my Peace Corps experience. I specifically requested a host family of all women so I could feel more comfortable in the home, especially with wearing weather-appropriate clothing like shorts and tank tops—it’s very hot here. I feel lucky to have been placed with a wonderful family on a quiet, friendly street right next to a large market that sells an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.
My host mom is the principal of the local high school and has many connections in the community. I often accompany her to events like weddings, funerals, and school functions, which has helped me feel more integrated. Our household includes my host grandmother (60), my host mom (48), and my host sister (17), who is a high school junior.
Most of the Khmer recipes I’ve learned have come from my host mom—she’s an amazing cook. Every evening, we sit together to prepare dinner and share long meals while speaking in Khmer. Although she doesn’t speak much English, she understands a bit, and our communication has improved steadily over time.
Working Out in the Community
I live in the provincial capital, which gives me access to several community resources like gyms, a town center, and recreational dance classes. I’ve also built a personal routine: every morning before the heat rises (which often reaches over 100°F by 11 a.m.), I hike a nearby mountain trail for exercise. I also teach yoga twice a week at two different local gyms. One of them is a “garage-style” gym with heavy weights, while the other has a nice studio space. In my free time, I enjoy offering free yoga and basic weightlifting instruction to community members.
One interesting cultural aspect I’ve encountered is that one of the local gyms is male-only, and I’m not allowed to enter. It was surprising at first, but it helped me better understand local gender dynamics.
Additionally, there’s a large reservoir behind my school where I occasionally go for a swim or relax in the sun. I also enjoy biking through the rice fields in the evenings—the smell of the rice flowers is unforgettable.
Ah, Cambodian Food
Cambodian food is very rice-based. Most meals include a soup called samlor, which often features prohok (fermented fish paste), lemongrass, tamarind, galangal, turmeric, and orange leaves. Protein is typically fish, especially given Cambodia’s proximity to the Tonle Sap, which provides an abundant source of freshwater fish. We regularly eat boiled, grilled, or fried fish with rice. Fruits like watermelon, mango, avocado, guava, and banana are available year-round, and they’ve become a staple part of my diet.
4. Any memorable experiences or interactions you’ve had?
Making Jokes in Khmer
I remember the first time I understood a joke in Khmer—and then, much later, the first time I made a joke myself that others laughed at. Those moments were about a year apart, but both were incredibly special. There’s nothing quite like language when it comes to connecting with people. I used to hear people laughing around me and not understand the context. Now, I’m nearly fluent in Khmer and I truly feel like I’m part of something. That sense of belonging is powerful.
My Amazing Host Grandmother
One of the most meaningful relationships I’ve built here is with my host grandmother. She’s become a guiding light in my life. She grew up during the Khmer Rouge and holds a deep, personal knowledge of the land and its history—knowledge that many young Cambodians today might never learn. She can identify native plants and explain their traditional medicinal uses. She’s connected to the community through the local market, where, as is customary in Cambodia, older women take on the responsibility of feeding the family.
The market at 8 a.m. is full of grandmothers, chatting and exchanging produce from their family farms. Everyone has something special they grow. My grandmother likes to dry bananas and mangoes in the yard, make prohok (fermented fish paste) and preserve tamarind in salt. When I sit beside her, helping her cook, I feel like I’m participating in a legacy—one where women are the creators, the preservers of traditional knowledge, and the ones who nourish society.
In times of war and hardship, people survived by getting creative—finding ways to store food, preserve nutrition, and protect the next generation. My grandmother embodies that resilience. She moves with the rhythms of the seasons—attending the pagoda, celebrating holidays, picking fruits in season, and visiting friends. Sometimes she disappears for a few days and returns with stories of her adventures. She’s well into her later years, yet filled with life, purpose, and joy. Her passion is infectious.
Reflecting on Differences in America
It’s made me reflect on how we treat our elders in America. There, too often, aging is associated with decline, isolation, or stagnation. But here, she’s deeply needed and valued. Watching her age with grace and vitality has shown me what life can look like in the “grandma years”: full of movement, purpose, curiosity, and community.
My Khmer has improved tremendously thanks to our conversations. She only has a few teeth left, which makes her speech a little harder to understand—so if I can understand her, I feel like I can understand anyone! Our relationship is one of the most special parts of my Peace Corps service, and I feel so lucky to have her in my life.
Surprises and Challenges
5. What has surprised you most about challenges in Cambodia?
Keeping Students in School and Engaged
One of the biggest challenges I’ve observed in Cambodia is keeping students engaged in school. Many children drop out because they feel more needed at home—helping with household tasks or contributing to the family’s income. There’s a widespread belief that unless you can afford private education or tutoring, it’s difficult to succeed in life. Social mobility feels limited here, whereas in the U.S., we often operate under the idea of the “American Dream”—that with enough hard work, you can improve your circumstances. That kind of aspirational mindset isn’t as deeply rooted in Cambodia.
Students often skip class, and unfortunately, some teachers do too. The number of instructional hours in the public school system is quite low. Many teachers earn more money by offering private lessons than they do teaching in public schools, so they prioritize tutoring during school hours. This leaves many students without instruction, which affects morale and motivation. Students become disengaged and often leave school early. It creates a cycle where those who can’t afford private lessons fall further behind.
There is also a strong pull toward labor migration, especially to Thailand. Every day, workers cross the border to work in factories, plantations, or construction. This migration is driven by the economic reality that Cambodia doesn’t yet have enough industry to support its workforce. People frequently say, “There is no work here,” or “There’s no way to make money,” and this belief becomes internalized, especially among youth. It makes school seem pointless for many.
Barriers to Student Success
This has a huge impact on students’ self-esteem. If they’ve been told from a young age that they’re “not smart” or “not the best,” they often start to believe it—and give up on their ability to learn. On top of that, many students are being raised by grandparents because their parents have migrated for work. While grandparents offer care, they often aren’t able—or expected—to provide consistent discipline or academic support. As a result, some children lack structure at home and don’t receive the emotional support they need.
All of these factors—the state of the education system, economic pressure, labor migration, and family separation—combine to create major barriers to student success. It’s been surprising and humbling to see how deeply these challenges are intertwined, and how much they affect the mindset and confidence of young learners.
6. What challenges did you face while working on Education projects?
Organizing Meetings & Trainings
One of the biggest challenges I faced while working on education projects was organizing large school meetings or teacher trainings. Many of the teachers at my school have to teach private classes during public school hours in order to earn a living wage. As a result, they are often absent from the school campus, which makes consistent collaboration difficult. At times, I felt like I was at school more than the teachers themselves—even though I’m a volunteer and they’re the ones being paid, albeit not enough.
There are also cultural norms to consider. In Cambodia, it’s common for people to go home from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunch and a mid-day rest, especially during the hottest part of the day. Because of this, it’s difficult to schedule anything during those hours, and getting teachers to commit to extra activities—like student clubs, English classes, or trainings—can be challenging.
Building Strong Partnerships
Another major barrier has been engaging my counterparts in co-teaching and English learning. Many of the teachers I work with are older and believe they’re too old to learn a new language. Some lack the skills to teach English and, since they have a volunteer who can do it, they defer to me. This has led to situations where I feel like I’m doing all the work. It can be frustrating, and at times I’ve caught myself thinking, “It’s easier if I just do it myself.” But I don’t want to reinforce a pattern of learned helplessness or “performative incompetence.” I know they can do it if they’re motivated.
To overcome this, I’ve chosen to focus my time and energy on the teachers who are genuinely interested in collaborating and improving their skills. By building stronger partnerships with the most engaged teachers, I’ve been able to make more meaningful progress. I’ve learned that I can’t force participation from everyone, and it’s more sustainable to work with people who are open to learning and growing alongside me.
7. Could you share some of the secondary projects you have been involved?
School Garden and Greenhouse
Some of the secondary projects I’ve been working on include the development of a school garden and greenhouse, which will be integrated into the life science curriculum. The goal is to give students more hands-on, kinesthetic learning opportunities—something that makes school more engaging and rewarding. I believe that when students can see the literal fruits of their labor, they become more excited about being at school and take more pride in their education.
Yoga Classes
In addition, I teach volunteer yoga classes twice a week at two local recreation centers. It’s been a great way to engage with the community—especially older women—around topics of health, wellness, and fitness.
Swimming and Water Safety
On Sundays, I teach swimming and water safety skills to local youth at a nearby community pool. I’ve partnered with my Khmer tutor and a representative from the Ministry of Education to begin training local gym teachers in swimming, floating, and rescue techniques. This work is especially important because many Cambodians never learn how to swim and have a deep fear of water. Watching students gain confidence in the water is incredibly rewarding—it gives them a sense of empowerment and opens new possibilities for their future.
Student-led Clean-up Hikes
In my free time, I also spend time on the local mountain trail where many people go to exercise, but unfortunately, it’s also a place where a lot of trash gets dumped. As someone who deeply cares about the environment, I occasionally organize student-led clean-up hikes. We collect litter and dispose of it in the most sustainable way we can—typically by gathering it in one area and burning it safely.
Advice and Support
8. What advice would you give to someone considering serving as an Education volunteer in Cambodia?
My biggest piece of advice is: don’t stress—it’s never that serious. If you need time off for your health or well-being, your counterparts will understand. I came down with mono during my first year and was out for quite a while. When I returned, no one asked, “Where were you?” Instead, they asked, “Are you okay? How is your health?” The people here care deeply for volunteers, and your impact will often be bigger than you realize.
Try not to worry about every lesson being perfect. Focus instead on being present and realistic with your energy. Classes are often canceled for holidays or other events, so when you do get time in the classroom, make it meaningful. Be someone who provides students with a positive experience—whether it’s through learning English, getting to know someone from another culture, or simply having fun in class.
Before Peace Corps, I had no formal experience teaching in a classroom, and I’ve learned so much. Every day is a learning opportunity—for the students and for me. If you’re someone who’s flexible, patient, and open-minded, this role will suit you well.
You’ll also have plenty of free time to explore secondary projects, pursue hobbies, or just rest and reflect. You have the freedom to shape your own schedule and build your own experience. Cambodians are incredibly kind, accepting, and welcoming. They genuinely appreciate any support in schools, and they’ll make you feel valued from day one.
9. How has the Peace Corps training helped you during your service?
Pre-Service Training
Peace Corps training was incredibly valuable to my service, especially Pre-Service Training (PST). I brought tons of cute notebooks, pens, and stationery because I knew having tools I loved would motivate me to take better notes and stay organized. And honestly—it helped! PST is a marathon: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day for 10 weeks. It’s intense, and the only person who can truly motivate you is you.
The key to thriving in PST is embracing curiosity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, repeat lessons, or take extra time to understand something. I also recommend taking breaks when needed (I definitely snuck off behind the PST building to grab 3–4 coffees a day!). And if I could go back, I would have prioritized exercise more to help manage stress.
Language Classes
Our language trainers were phenomenal—some of the most professional and supportive people I’ve worked with. I’d often stay after class to ask extra questions like, “Can you say this another way?” or “How do you express this feeling in Khmer?” They were always generous with their time and genuinely wanted us to succeed.
Most importantly—language is everything. Khmer is a beautiful language, and the Peace Corps teaches it through international phonetic English, which makes it more accessible. Don’t compare your language journey to others’. Everyone learns differently, and your path is your own. Outside the classroom, push yourself to live in Khmer. Go to that karaoke party. Stay up late chatting with your host mom. Say yes to the field trip with people you just met. Real-world experiences are where your language will truly come alive.
IST and MST
As for IST (In-Service Training) and MST (Mid-Service Training): use that time to reconnect with your cohort, ask for support, and share what’s working. And have fun with your friends—they’re part of what makes this journey so meaningful.
Practical Tips and Language Learning
10. Anything that you packed or didn’t pack that you’d like to tell future Cambodia volunteers?
Regular Clothes
As someone with a curvier body, one of the biggest challenges in Cambodia is finding clothes, bras, and shoes that fit well. Larger sizes are almost impossible to find, even in the big markets. So I definitely recommend bringing a few high-quality, durable basics—especially pants, bras, and comfortable walking shoes. That said, don’t pack anything too fancy or flashy. You don’t want to appear overly wealthy to your host family or community—it can send the wrong message and make integration harder.
Instead, bring a few practical, sun-protective, and temple-appropriate clothing items. I lived in long-sleeved, collared fishing shirts (PFG-style) and breathable cotton pants. All of my teaching clothes were thrifted at Goodwill before I came—because honestly, your clothes will get destroyed here. One good curry spill, a brush against a thorn bush, or a visit to a questionable laundromat will do them in. It’s just not worth it to bring brand-new or expensive items.
School Clothes
You’ll also want to bring a little extra money for school clothes. Peace Corps covers one or two traditional teaching outfits (a sampot skirt and white blouse), but you’ll likely need more. Many volunteers get custom outfits made at the local tailor—especially since it’s so hot here and we often go through 2–3 outfits a day (teach in the morning, go home to change and rest, then return for the afternoon). Tailoring is affordable and worth it.
Special Clothes
Bring one nice, modest long dress or gown for weddings—you will go to weddings. Also, pack any personal care products you love from home: unscented or non-whitening soap, specific toothpaste, medications, etc. Those can be hard to find or really expensive here.
You don’t need to pack much in terms of casual clothes—Cambodians wear super fun, fast-fashion-style pajama sets from the market, and you’ll fit right in with something colorful and comfy. But again, for anyone wearing larger sizes: even the XXXXLs often won’t fit, so bring what you know you’ll wear.
Bonus tips:
- I highly recommend: water shoes. They’ve saved me multiple times.
- I brought a compact memory foam pillow—life-changing.
- A stainless steel insulated water bottle (bring two!)—you’ll want cold water all day.
- A Gatorade-style squeeze bottle for bike rides.
Extra cash during PST for things like custom outfits for swearing-in (most volunteers do it, and it costs $50–$100). Lastly, don’t overpack. Everyone I know wishes they brought less. Cambodia changes your body—many of us lost 10–30 lbs just from the heat, bike riding, and diet. You’ll likely need to buy new clothes partway through service anyway. Keep it simple. You’ll figure out what you need as you go!
11. How has learning the language been?
We all learned standard Khmer during PST, which focuses on spoken language and uses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) rather than the Khmer script. They don’t teach us how to read or write the Khmer alphabet during PST—probably because it’s incredibly complex. In fact, Khmer has the longest alphabet in the world! It can be really difficult to learn… but for some people, it comes more easily than expected.
When I got to my permanent site, I decided to start learning the Khmer consonants and eventually taught myself to read and write. It was slow at first, but very rewarding. That said, Peace Corps prioritizes conversational fluency because PST is only 10 weeks long. The method they use is highly communicative: you learn the most polite and formal versions of each phrase, and through daily life and immersion, you naturally pick up slang, casual speech, and regional variations.
If you’re coming straight out of college or have experience with language learning in a fast-paced environments, you might find Khmer easier to pick up. I’ve noticed that older volunteers sometimes struggle more with the speed and memorization required, so if that’s a concern, I’d recommend investing in a tutor or starting some basic Khmer lessons before staging. Even just learning a few common greetings or question phrases in advance can boost your confidence early on.
Overall, Khmer is a beautiful language, and learning it opens so many doors for connection. The effort you put in absolutely pays off—whether that’s being able to make your host grandma laugh, navigate the market on your own, or read local signs and menus.
Social Media & Final Thoughts
12. How do you think your Instagram channel contributes to your mission as a Peace Corps volunteer?
My Instagram, @Cocosmacrameandmahop, is the platform I use to share pieces of Khmer culture—mainly through food and art. Each night, my host mom and I cook together, and I’ve been documenting traditional Khmer recipes, unique fruits and vegetables, rare species of fish, and how they are harvested, prepared, and priced locally. It’s been a beautiful way to highlight the richness of Cambodian cuisine and daily life.
I also use the account to share my creative hobbies like jewelry-making, beading, and macramé—things that keep me grounded and inspired during service.
13. Any last comments you’d like to pass on to future Cambodia volunteers?
Take the plunge—dive in! Don’t be scared. This has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I am genuinely so much happier here than I ever was in the U.S. The lifestyle in Cambodia is on another level of chill, and the pace of life gives you room to breathe, grow, and connect deeply with others. If you’re open, flexible, and willing to embrace a completely different way of living, this experience will change you in the most beautiful ways. Cambodia will surprise you, challenge you, and welcome you. Let yourself enjoy the ride.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like Alma’s, apply to the Peace Corps today. Expand your horizons, push your limits, and create positive impact as a volunteer. You never know how serving as a Peace Corps volunteer could change your life.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or Cambodia Government.
