summer session II

Cambodia

Freshwater Cambodia: Fisheries to Floating Villages

At A Glance

04 Weeks | 04 Credits
Summer 2022

Jul 11 - Aug 10

Closed

Summer 2023

Jul 7 - Aug 6

Open

Prerequisites

None

Sample Itinerary
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Freshwater Cambodia: Fisheries to Floating Villages

Siem Reap

This summer, Cambodia’s freshwater ecosystems become your classroom, from Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake to the mighty Mekong River. Travel across Cambodia, starting with the ancient Angkor Temples of Siem Reap and Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake – the Tonle Sap Great Lake. There, you’ll learn about the link between hydrological dynamics, biodiversity conservation, food security, and livelihood outcomes. Visit important ecological sites along the Mekong River and study endangered species, hydropower development, water governance, and discuss key conservation issues that impact freshwater ecosystems. End the program in the vibrant capital city of Phnom Penh. 

  • Homestay in a floating village of the Tonle Sap Lake: Practice species identification, monitor endangered species, interview local communities about their livelihoods, and participate in a rice growing activities with a rural farmer in Siem Reap. 
  • Take a week-long expedition to explore the Mekong River, learning about river ecology, visiting a hydropower dam, assessing environmental impacts, and discussing Irrawaddy river dolphin conservation.  

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Program Costs & Financial Aid

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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. Read more about the SFS program model.

Major academic themes include:

  • Lake and river ecology
  • Freshwater species identification
  • Community-based natural resource management
  • Endangered species and conservation challenges
  • Rural livelihoods and food security
  • Hydropower development
  • Water governance

Courses

On the ‘Freshwater Cambodia: Fisheries to Floating Villages’ 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 the course to view a description and download the syllabus

SFS 3211 Freshwater Ecosystem Conservation 4 credits

Core Skills

You will gain practical skills in the field such as: biodiversity assessments, species ID and population monitoring, water quality assessments, biodiversity survey techniques, natural resource management planning, environmental impacts assessments, conservation strategy assessments, interview methods, conservation project proposals, grant writing, quantitative/qualitative data collection and analysis, scientific writing and communication, basic Khmer language skills

Field Sites

You will visit different ecosystems and communities which may include the Tonle Sap Lake and Mekong River, fishing villages, a Ramsar wetlands site, bird sanctuaries, a rice farm, a floating village, an Irrawaddy river dolphin pool, a hydropower dam near the Cambodia-Laos border, the bustling markets of Siem Reap, and historical and cultural sites in Phnom Penh.

Resources

A summer with SFS!

Take back-to-back summer sessions and get the hands-on learning and skill-building experiences of an internship, while also going off the beaten path and exploring the world. Each summer session focuses on a different topic, and you’ll have time to travel independently between sessions. Receive a $1,000 discount on your second session.

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All program components are subject to change.

Where You'll Be Living

Our most urban center, the SFS Cambodia Center lies on the outskirts of Siem Reap, near the famed temples of Angkor. The Center is a breezy, modern campus nestled in a quiet neighborhood minutes away from the bustling downtown area where you will find restaurants, artisan shops, markets, and many Cambodian cultural activities.

  • Dorm living with air-conditioned, four-person bunkrooms
  • Classroom building with library and balcony
  • Student lounge with open loft and beanbag chairs
  • Expansive open-air dining area, and on-site cooking staff
  • Gyms and running routes in surrounding neighborhood
  • Swimming pool, badminton court, and hammock bungalow

Click on the icons below to learn more about our Center in Cambodia.

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