Frequently asked questions - Cambodia
Application Information
When should I apply for a volunteer in Cambodia programs?
Global Crossroad has offered volunteer in Cambodia programs (including internship) since 2003. We are able to place volunteers on the 1st or 3rd Monday of any month, year round. We recommend applying at least two months in advance, as there is an ever-increasing volume of applications. If your application must be expedited for quicker placement, please contact our office for more information.
What happens once I submit my documents and application to volunteer in Cambodia?
Once Global Crossroad receives and reviews your completed application, it is then forwarded to our In-Country Coordinator in Cambodia who will then finalize a personal assignment as per your qualifications, experience and requests. Your finalized placement details are forwarded to you upon completion.
How long does it take to process my application to volunteer in Cambodia?
The application process may take up to 2-4 weeks – occasionally longer given the time of year and influx of applications to your chosen country. However, in the event that an applicant requires quicker placement due to time constraints, we request you contact Global Crossroad's offices prior to submitting an application.
What documents do I need to submit with my application to volunteer in Cambodia?
The only initial documentation required is our completed application form, which can be found online (http://www.globalcrossroad.com/apply.php). We reserve the right to request further information or documentation; however, in most situations information contained in the application is sufficient. Applicants have the option to either submit their application online or download the application from the website and submit the completed form to Global Crossroad's USA-based offices by either mail or fax.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in volunteer in Cambodia projects?
The only qualifications are:
- An open-mind, a willingness to teach others as well a passion for helping those in need.
- Enthusiasm for living abroad, meeting new people and embracing varied cultures.
- Be in good mental and physical health.
- In NGO and community development projects, the applicants must have some experience of international volunteering, or experience of developmental work in developing country, or must have studied international development or something related to it. You will also need to submit your resume when applying for the program. You must also volunteer for minimum of 4 weeks.
Visa Information
Securing a tourist visa is the volunteer's responsibility and Global Crossroad requires all volunteers to obtain a tourist visa before departing for Cambodia.
Please call our office or contact your nearest Cambodia embassy to learn more about visa, visa fees and visa extensions. Much information can be learned online by searching out Cambodia’s embassy or consulate.
Project Information
Who manages the volunteer in Cambodia projects?
Global Crossroad's in-country Coordinator in Cambodia is responsible for researching appropriate volunteer projects as per the qualifications, skills and interests of the applicants.
What are the daily schedules while volunteering in Cambodia?
Project schedules vary for each project in Cambodia. Most projects are from Monday to Friday, for approximately 54-5 hours a day. Most volunteers have the weekends and evenings off to sightsee or explore Cambodia on their own.
Where are volunteer opportunities in Cambodia located?
Programs in Cambodia will take place in Phnom Penh or in the rural provincial province capitals. Review the details of your project on our website or in your placement documents for the particular city or area to which you will be travelling.
What is the language spoken in Cambodia?
Khmer or Cambodian, is the language of the Khmer people and the official language of Cambodia. It is the second most widely spoken Austro-Asiatic language (after Vietnamese), with speakers in the tens of millions. Khmer is generally a Subject Verb Object (SVO) language with prepositions. The noun has no grammatical gender or singular/plural distinction.
When are volunteer in Cambodia projects available?
Global Crossroad programs are available year round and begin on the 1st or 3rd Monday of every month.
How long can I volunteer in Cambodia?
We normally suggest participants volunteer for a 2-12 weeks timeframe, except for NGO and community development projects. In general, most countries do not allow those travelling on a tourist visa to stay longer than 12 weeks. If you would like to stay longer, please contact our offices to discuss your options.
Project Information
Who will arrange my flight to Cambodia?
International flight coordination and payment of international airfare is a volunteer’s responsibility.
At which airport should I arrive?
Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Phnom Penh Pochentong International Airport), however, random placements may require arrival at a different airport. Please do not book travel until your placement is complete.
If my assignment begins on Monday, when should I arrive in Cambodia?
Please arrive the day before your assignment begins. If you wish to arrive earlier, your accommodation and meals will be your responsibility. Please review the personal placement information package we will forward to you.
Will someone pick me from the airport? If so, how will I know who they are and where they are?
You will be greeted up at the airport, but you must send your travel itinerary to our Cambodia in-country Coordinator and to us at Global Crossroad’s offices before your arrival in Cambodia. You will be met by a local staff member or our in-country coordinator. They will be holding a sign with your name, awaiting your arrival outside of the airport.
If you miss our representative due to flight delay or confusion, please call the in-country coordinator number provided in your placement details. This rarely happens, but be prepared by keeping this important information with you as you travel. Make sure you look carefully for your pick-up representative, as it is normally busy outside of the airport.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
- Try to call our Cambodia in-country coordinator from the airport to notify him/her of the possible delayed arrival time.
- Check your placement instructions pertaining to details of hotels that have been recommended for late arrival if your flight will after midnight.
Call/email our Cambodia in-country Coordinator once you arrive so that s/he can orchestrate a new pick-up time.
How can I get to my accommodations from the airport, if I did not connect with Global Crossroad's local representative in the airport?
In the event that your arrival time is changed/delayed, requiring you to stay overnight in a hotel (or if you failed to meet Global Crossroad's representative at the airport), you should hire a taxi at the airport. Request the taxi deliver you to the hotel designated in your placement details/pre-departure information. Remember to request a receipt from the driver.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that you have contacted Global Crossroad's in-country coordinator BEFORE boarding a taxi. Participants are advised to contact Global Crossroad's Cambodia In-Country Coordinator the next day and let him/her know their whereabouts.
What do I need prior to departure from my home country?
- Please make sure that you pack all your necessary documents: passport, copy of passport and at least one other form of picture ID.
- Please bring your volunteer assignment placement details.
- Prepare financially to cover unforeseen expenses up to $50-100 USD/week for extra expenses and travel to your project each day.
- Prepare your mind and spirit for the experience to which you have committed. Culture shock affects everyone and it may be so strong that you want to quit the week after arrival. Take precautions: read about your county/city, study the culture and language(s) and learn about food and customs.
If I want to arrive earlier than when my assignment begins, where do I stay and who will organize the accommodations?
You can arrive up to a week early for your assignment; however, you are responsible for making and paying for these arrangements (including accommodations and food), and must still meet the in-country coordinator at the airport on the designated date.
When should I depart from Cambodia?
We ask that participants depart from Cambodia on the Saturday following the completion of their assignment.
From which airport shall I depart?
All Cambodia volunteers should depart from Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Phnom Penh Pochentong International Airport) unless you receive other instructions in your placement details.
Who will bring me to the airport for my departure?
GC does not offer airport drop-off services. You will need to arrange a taxi or bus ride to the airport following your assignment’s completion. This is a simple process and our Cambodia in-country coordinator or your host family will normally be very happy to assist you with the arrangements.
Living Accommodations and Food
Who will arrange my accommodations and what are they?
While volunteering in Cambodia, Global Crossroad’s weekly fees include management of volunteers’ meal plans and accommodations throughout projects. Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be provided and consist of local ingredients and feature traditional cuisine choices for Cambodia. Generally, volunteers have breakfast at a local restaurant or at their accommodations or project. Dinners tend to be at accommodations and lunch is sometimes offered by the project. Food and drinks outside of meal times are the volunteer’s responsibility. In most cases, there are restaurants and markets nearby the places in which our volunteers stay.
During your volunteer work in Cambodia, we normally place our volunteers in a guesthouse or with a host family depending on project location. The main guesthouse we place in is located in the center of Phnom Penh City near the Olympic Stadium and the Orussey Market. It is very comfortable and has a large roof terrace with hammocks, a TV, internet access and many amenities nearby. Staff members for our accommodations are chosen carefully and most have experience in the realm of hosting international travelers. Occasionally, volunteers receive rural placements in the provincial capitals and stay with a host family.
A unique and important part of Global Crossroad’s successful volunteer in Cambodia programs is our volunteer support in-country. We put safety and comfort first as we deliver enriching and consistent experiences for our international travelers. Our support is multi-faceted while volunteers are in Cambodia and our staff is in contact with our volunteers on a regular basis either with face-to-face visits or via phone/email. Key support comes from our country coordinator and in-country field staff. These individuals are employed by our company and committed to ensuring your experience the best it can be. Your chosen project and accommodation staff offer support as well, and they are familiar with working with international volunteers and accustomed to answering questions and providing guidance. Volunteers also have access to our country coordinator’s mobile number for emergencies. With longer assignments, our field staff visits regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to ensure the experience is meeting your expectations. Sometimes an assignment may be too far to visit physically, so staff members will touch-base via phone/email. You are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time. You are never alone.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.
Occasionally, in most cases you will share a room with a same-gender volunteer. Please note your request and we will do our best to meet your needs.
If I arrive with my friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend, can we stay together?
In many situations yes, but please contact our office regarding your situation, since it may depend upon individual accommodation availability and time-of-year circumstances. Please be reminded that volunteers of different genders are often not permitted to stay in the same room, unless they are a married couple.
Will there be other foreign volunteers/interns at my placement?
Yes, more often than not, but this depends on the exact assignment and accommodation placement. If you want to travel with a companion or group, we allow and encourage this option. You may be placed with different host families, but these residences will generally be located close (within one to two miles) to each other. Please be reminded that volunteers of different genders will normally not be allowed to stay in the same room, unless they are a married couple.
What are the bathroom facilities like?
Bathroom facilities depend up on the location and project. Most of our host families have running water and western (or modern)-style toilets. However, in a few projects/accommodations there are varying toilet and bathroom situations.
What are the laundry arrangements?
In most cases, laundry will be washed by hand. It is the responsibility of volunteers.
Can I use appliances if I bring them from my home country?
Yes, but you will need an electrical converter. Information for different countries can be found on the internet, for example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity. Your local small appliance specialty or travel retailer can advise you on plugs and voltage converters.
Global Crossroad organizes food and accommodations for the extent of your volunteer assignment.
Can you accommodate special diets?
Global Crossroad can provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, but if you require a vegetarian diet we advise you stay in a guesthouse as meat is a meal staple in Cambodia and guesthouses are more flexible with their menus. We cannot accommodate special dietary needs (i.e. diabetics). If you require a special menu beyond vegetarian/vegan needs, you will need to be responsible for your own meals.
Is the running tap water safe for drink?
In most developing countries, tap water is not safe to drink. We recommend that you purchase bottled water for your consumption, but make sure that the cap's seal is not broken! You can also request that your host family boil water for you each day for you to consume.
Are there hot and cold-water facilities available?
Specifics pertaining to availability of hot water will be included in participants' placement details.
Will bottled water be provided?
No, the purchase of bottled water is a volunteer’s responsibility.
Health and Safety
Any international travel requires caution and awareness. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own government advisory office before participating in a Global Crossroad program. International travel does present risks, especially with the modern-day threat of international terrorism. The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings and advisories in many countries for American travelers. These travel advisories and warnings change frequently as situations in each country transform.
These links provide travel information:
British Foreign Office Advice
http://www.fco.gov.uk/
American State Department Advice
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
Australian Government Advice
http://www.dfat.gov.au/
Canadian Government Advice
http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html
What are the principle health risks in Cambodia?
We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations www.cdc.gov. You should also consult a travel doctor who will be knowledgeable about current epidemics, health risks and recommended vaccinations.
Is the food safe if I buy it from a street vendor?
No! Cambodia is still considered a developing country and you should be cautious. While you are in Cambodia, food safety should be a major consideration. You can hardly resist the tempting novelty of street vendors and their food variety, but you should abstain. Our suggestion is to avoid eating on the streets until you get familiar with the general situation. The food will likely taste quite different from anything you have had before. Food safety problems can range from chemicals and contaminants, to bacteria as well as some other diseases. In Cambodia, poor food cooking, preparation, and storage, as well as improper cleaning and disinfecting of cooking supplies is very common among street vendors. Therefore, we do not suggest buying food from street vendors.
What are the sanitary conditions in Cambodia?
- Be prepared and never expect a clean toilet 100% of the time. Carry some tissue in case you need to use the public toilet.
- In Cambodia, toilets generally do not do well when flushing large amounts of items or feminine hygiene products so do not flush them and throw them away in the trash.
- In some areas/restaurants, toilet systems are old, have very narrow plumbing and are easily blocked. In these cases, a small basket is usually placed beside the toilet (for your used toilet paper).
- Use hotel lobby toilets; these are everywhere and are tend to be clean. Still, they may not always have toilet paper.
Money
Are ATMs easily available? If yes, which debit and credit cards are accepted?
Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Master and Visa are accepted at the local large hotels or tourist stores. You also can withdraw cash from most international banks from ATM machines, but $2-4 USD surcharges apply for each transaction.
Ensure that you notify your home bank of your intent to travel to Cambodia. This will provide you necessary information and alleviate any confusion at your home bank regarding international transactions (which can result in a cautionary freeze on your account in some cases).
Where should I exchange my money?
Most travelers to Cambodia do not exchange currency at any time and use US currency, no larger than $20 as there appears to be a counterfeit problem and many businesses will not accept larger bills. Customers automatically acquire possession of riel when paying in US Dollars and receive the change below one Dollar in Riel.
For a marginally better rate, Dollars can be exchange into riel at sidewalk money exchangers. Currencies other than US Dollars can be exchanged at the banks. It is recommended to bring a sufficient amount of US Dollars for the entire duration of your stay.
It is advised that you bring an ATM card and a MasterCard as Visa does not always work at ATM machines.
USD traveler's checks are not a good travel option, difficult to exchange in small towns and villages. Travelers are advised to have cash on hand. You may exchange currencies at the airport or at a bank.
How much money should I bring with me?
Global Crossroad manages food and rooms for our volunteers throughout the assignment; therefore, you will not need more money to pay for these expenses. However, if you plan to take part in activities outside of our organization or buy some souvenirs, you will need to bring extra money.
On a side note, you must also remember the fee for visas, which can range from US $50-100 depending on the length of stay. There may also be an airport tax that you pay upon your departure from Cambodia. You will want to determine the amount of extra money you bring based on these factors.
Is it safe to carry cash with me?
Carrying cash is not always safe; therefore, do not carry a large surplus of cash with you. It is advised that you carry cash in a money belt with some additional stashed in your wallet.
Communications
How do I contact with Global Crossroad's local coordinator?
The contact details of our Cambodia in-country Coordinator will be given in final placement sheet. You can contact him by email or telephone; we suggest all volunteers talk with country coordinator before they arrive.
How do I contact my family and friends once I arrive in Cambodia?
International Direct Dialing from Cambodia is available in cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices, hotels and phone booths on the streets. In hotels, local calls are generally charged at a nominal fee. Internet cafes are available in most towns, although they can sometimes be noisy as they are a popular spot for the youth to play online games. You can use any type of communication to call back home.
How can my family members contact me?
Communication options depend on where you are placed. Most placements will have access to a post office, so mail and postcards are an option. If you are in a city placement, there are many places to make international phone calls or access the internet. These details will be provided prior to your departure to Cambodia, so you can share communication options with your family and friends before you depart.
Can I bring my telephone from my home country?
Yes, but it may or may not work. You will want to contact your mobile phone provider to make sure that your phone will work while you are in Cambodia, but remember that roaming will apply and those charges can be very, very expensive. To avoid them, you may be able to buy a local SIM card to use in your phone. Research and confirm this information before traveling.
Culture and religion
Is there a special dress code that I should follow while staying in Cambodia?
Volunteers should dress conservatively when at their assignments. Jeans and a t-shirt are acceptable. No short-shorts and tank tops please. Remember to consider the regional religious beliefs of Cambodia, which may be extremely conservative and revealing clothing is unacceptable - shorts and skirts must be at least knee-length and no one should show their shoulders.
What should I know about religious conduct in Cambodia?
Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century CE (excepting the Khmer Rouge period), and is currently estimated to be the faith of 95% of the population. Cambodia was first influenced by Hinduism during the beginning of the Kingdom of Funan kingdom. Hinduism was one of the Khmer Empire's official religions. Cambodia is the home to one of the only two temples dedicated to Brahma in the world. Angkor Wat of Cambodia is the largest Hindu temple of the world.
The people of Cambodia respect different cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs and moral concepts. You may practice on your own accord. Remember to be respectful of Cambodian customs and traditions while traveling.
How do I respect the people of Cambodia?
Be inclusive and show respect of their culture.
Cambodia’s culture is rich in customs and traditions. People of Cambodia enjoy sharing their customs and traditions with foreigners so feel free to take part with them. You can go with your host family on outings if they ask you to or invite them along with you to go on an outing. Simply helping your family do household chores will be another bonding experience that you can enjoy.
Additional Information
Climate
What is weather like in Cambodia?
Average Rainfall
|
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- inches
- .30
- .40
- 1.40
- 3.10
- 5.70
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- inches
- 5.80
- 6.00
- 6.10
- 8.90
- 9.90
- Nov
- Dec
- inches
- 5.50
- 1.70
Average Daily Temperature
|
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- °F
- 71
- 72
- 74
- 76
- 76
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- °F
- 76
- 76
- 76
- 76
- 76
- Nov
- Dec
- °F
- 74
- 71
Jan 1: New Year's Day
Jan 7: Liberation Day
Feb 2: Maek Bochea (Death of Buddha)
Feb 18-20: Chinese New Year
Mar 8: International Women's Day
April 14-16: Khmer New Year
May 1: Visakha Bochea (Birth of Buddha)
May 1: Labor Day
May 5: Bonn Chrott Preah Nongkoal (Royal Plowing Ceremony)
May 13-15: King Sihamoni's Birthday
June 1: International Children's Day
September 24: Constitution Day
October 10-12: Bonn Pchum Ben
What about tipping in Cambodia?
Tipping is not expected but as always appreciated. If you want to tip, 10% percent is generous and will go a long way (with the prevalence of poverty probably much higher than in your home country).
• Backpack
• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• Sandals
• 2 pairs of pants (lightweight)
• 2 T-shirts
• 3 short-sleeved shirts
• 2 long-sleeved shirt
• 3 pairs of shorts and bathing suit
• Lightweight jacket or rain jacket, depending on season
• Layer for warmth, evenings may be cool regardless of season
• Hat or cap
• Towel and personal bath kit
• SPF/sun protection, sunglasses
• Camera
• Insect net
• Bedding (if noted in placement document)
NOTE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is generic information and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly. Participants should consult Global Crossroad or travel advisors to verify this information.