Cambodia

Living Conditions & Daily Life 

Students follow a structured schedule with classes and field activities on most weekdays, usually from 7 AM to 7 PM, including occasional multi-day trips. Evenings and some weekends provide personal time for independent exploration of Siem Reap’s markets, restaurants, and cultural sites. 

Students live in shared dormitories with communal dining facilities where meals are provided. A daily curfew is enforced throughout the program. A kitchenette with a microwave and small oven is available, and students are occasionally permitted to use the full kitchen. 

Independent travel outside Cambodia during the semester is not permitted, though summer students will also travel to Thailand. Students spend considerable time in Siem Reap and may explore local trails and city spaces during free time. 

Physical Readiness 

Field activities involve moderate physical demands, including walking tours, field research, biking, and travel by van or bus. Students should expect hot, humid conditions, muddy and uneven terrain, and occasional loud boat travel, which may cause motion sickness. 

Students must also adapt to long travel days (5–9 hour bus rides), airplane travel, and varied living conditions, including brief local homestays with limited amenities such as no plumbing, air conditioning, or reliable Wi-Fi. Flexibility is key. 

Travel & Transitions 

The program is based in Siem Reap and includes frequent travel to both urban and remote locations across Cambodia (and Thailand in summer). Students visit rural communities and field sites where living conditions may be austere, and overnight stays often involve minimal comfort. 

Summer participants split time between Cambodia and Thailand, experiencing both urban centers like Siem Reap and Bangkok and remote field sites that require adaptability. 

Program Location & Natural Environment 

This program is rooted in the busy, expanding city of Siem Reap, complemented by frequent excursions to rural villages and natural sites. Students have easy access to local amenities—markets, cafes, pharmacies, and shops are a 5–10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the center. Students are immersed in high-sensory environments, from city traffic and market sounds to quieter rural areas. Encounters with spiders, geckos, reptiles, and insects are routine, and sensory stimulation, especially in cities, can be intense.

Cultural & Linguistic Differences 

Cambodia’s rich cultural traditions may differ significantly from students’ home cultures. Students engage with communities that observe traditional gender roles and norms, including modest dress and social behavior. Dress is conservative, and respectful attire is required, especially when visiting historical and religious sites and in rural communities outside of Siem Reap.

Courses are taught in English, and no prior Khmer or Thai language proficiency is required. However, students receive basic Khmer language lessons to help with everyday communication. English is common in tourist areas but less prevalent in rural regions. 

Allergies & Dietary Preferences 

Khmer cuisine commonly includes fish sauce, peanuts, and coconut milk. Dishes like amok (coconut fish curry) and various noodle soups are common. Peanut and shellfish products are used frequently, particularly in street food and rural kitchens.

Substitution and avoidance are often not possible in rural settings, and cross-contamination risks are high. Students do not have access to a full kitchen for daily use but may dine out locally or order delivery. Outside of Siem Reap, vegetarian or vegan protein alternatives are limited or unavailable.

Cross-contamination accommodations for advanced allergies abroad may not be feasible. Students with severe or life-threatening allergies and/or strict dietary requirements must consult with medical professionals and studentlife@fieldstudies.org before applying.

Required Vaccinations & Health Care 

SFS does not require specific vaccinations, however, malaria prophylaxis is required for excursions outside Siem Reap (approx. 6–8 weeks during semesters, and the full summer session). For additional recommendations, consultation with a travel medicine professional is strongly advised before departure. For summer programs, see local recommendations for both Cambodia and Thailand before traveling.

Advanced care is approximately 20 minutes from the SFS Center in Siem Reap, but in critical cases, students may require air evacuation to Phnom Penh or Bangkok. During field excursions, students may be 9+ hours from professional care.

An English-speaking counselor is available on an as-needed basis, but psychiatric and advanced mental health services are not available in Cambodia.

Routine in-person medical and counseling services are not feasible during the program. Students must bring a full supply of any prescription medications, including psychotropic medications, for the entire duration of the program, as local refills may not be available without prior arrangements.