Location:

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Program Type:

Intern Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Spring Semester

Work Types:

Business, Religion, Sciences & Environment, Social Sciences

Program Overview

Program Description:

Embark on a truly unique educational opportunity with Global Service Corps! In collaboration with the State University of New York (SUNY) and Paññasastra University of Cambodia (PUC), Global Service Corps is offering a Service-Learning Study Abroad Program in Cambodia. This 15-week program includes six weeks of classroom training at Paññasastra University of Cambodia (PUC) and nine weeks of field work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in development work. Students will participate in an initial three weeks of orientation and academic training and then take their classroom lessons into the field as they intern with NGOs for the following nine weeks. The final three weeks of the program will consist of academic classes in which students will integrate their course work and field experiences, culminating in final group presentations on their projects as well as required academic papers.

Providing an insider’s look into social development in post-conflict societies, the 15 credit semester course allows students to examine the role that civil society and Buddhism play in rebuilding Cambodian communities. Incorporating an academic and field component, the program is an expansion of Global Service Corps’ (GSC) community development work in Cambodia and is built on GSC’s successful service-learning study abroad programs in Tanzania. Since 2001, students participating in GSC’s international programs qualified to earn academic credit through SUNY-Albany on individual programs. Students successfully completing the program will receive a letter grade (A-F) for three courses for a total of 15 credits from SUNY-Albany.

Students will have the opportunity to become fully immersed in Cambodian culture as they live, work, learn, and play among local Cambodian families, staff, and students in both rural and urban settings. All participants begin their program with a five-day cultural orientation and training. Khmer language lessons are included in the orientation as well as a guided tour of historical and cultural sites that will provide insight into the storied history of Cambodia. The programs are offered in conjunction with SUNY-Albany, and students are eligible to receive credits through SUNY upon successful completion of the programs.