summer session I

Cambodia

Elephants of the Cambodian Highlands

At A Glance

04 Weeks | 04 Credits
Summer 2021 (Session II)

Jul 11 - Aug 10

Open

Prerequisites

None

Sample Itinerary
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Elephants of the Cambodian Highlands

Mondulkiri Province & Siem Reap

SUMMER 2021 PROGRAM UPDATE: This program, typically offered during the Summer I session, will be offered during the Summer II session for Summer 2021 – see updated dates in the At A Glance box. This program will resume being offered during the Summer I session in 2022. Check out a list of other Summer I programs here.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the program itinerary and details that you find outlined on this page may shift to accommodate enhanced safety measures, park closures, and thoughtful community interaction. This may include but is not limited to the field sites visited, guest lectures, community visits, and other program activities. We will communicate pre-program changes with students and are available to answer any specific questions regarding this program. You can read more about how SFS is addressing COVID-19 on our programs here.

 
Meet the gentle giants of Mondulkiri. Spend your summer in the lush Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, studying the behavior and ecology of the endangered Asian elephant. Examine human-wildlife conflict and conservation pressures and discuss elephant welfare and management practices. Visit the vibrant city of Phnom Penh and the ancient temples of Angkor to explore the history and culture of Cambodia.

  • Stay at the Elephant Valley Project in the forested Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary to observe Asian elephants from meters away as they forage, bathe, and interact with each other in a protected setting

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‌Academics

This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in Cambodia.

Major academic themes include:

  • Asian elephant ecology and conservation
  • Cambodia’s highland ecosystems
  • Traditional culture of the Bunong people
  • Human-elephant interaction and conflicts
  • Wildlife management policies
  • Elephant health and welfare

Courses

On the Elephants of the Cambodian Highlands program, you will take one 4-credit course. This course is participatory in nature and is designed to foster inquiry and active learning combining lectures, field exercises, assignments, and tests. This course is taught in English.

Click on each course to view a description and download the syllabus

SFS 3111 Ecology and Conservation of Southeast Asian Elephants 4 credits

Core Skills

You will gain practical skills in the field such as: behavioral observations of social interactions, foraging, and welfare of elephants, distance sampling, line-transect surveys, basic Khmer language, data collection techniques, mock debating, grant proposal writing, and oral presentation skills.

Field Sites

You will visit different ecosystems and communities, which may include a forested elephant sanctuary, the ancient temple complex of Angkor, lush evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, historical and cultural sites in Phnom Penh, and Indigenous Bunong communities.

Resources

‌Life in the Field

The home base for this program is in the heart of the Mondulkiri highlands set on the slopes of the Elephant Valley. Watch the sunset over the forest and fall asleep to the sounds of gibbons and other nocturnal creatures. The valley provides great bird watching – from eagles to hornbills. Spend a portion of the program at the SFS Center in Siem Reap, our most urban location, located near the famed temples of Angkor.

  • Dorm living with 4-person bunkrooms
  • Lounge and study areas
  • The forest is at your doorstep
  • Open-air dining and kitchen area, Bunong chefs

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