Volunteer and Teach in Cambodia

I volunteered in Cambodia with IVHQ and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. From the beginning, IVHQ supported me every step of the way. They gave me clear info, helped me prepare everything, and answered all my questions super fast. I felt safe and ready before even arriving. When I got to Cambodia, the local team welcomed me so warmly. They really cared and made sure I was okay throughout the whole time. I worked at a school with children from difficult backgrounds and some with special needs – and I’ve rarely felt so much love in one place. I was assigned to different classes, from kindergarten to grade 4. My tasks were varied: sometimes I supported the local teachers, other times I led short lessons myself. Often there was a bit of time to prepare, but a lot of the work required improvisation and creativity – whether through games, songs or simple exercises. But don’t worry: there’s always someone around to support you, and your efforts are truly appreciated. The accommodation was simple, but it had everything I needed. I had my own private room, which was a big plus – and I’d definitely recommend the AC upgrade, especially because Cambodia can get really hot! The food was another highlight: three delicious meals a day, always fresh, local and full of flavour. Every day brought something new. Some days were tough, but I learned so much – about the world, about others, and about myself. Thank you IVHQ and thank you to the amazing team in Cambodia. I’ll never forget this time and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a real and heartwarming volunteer experience.

I had ample guidance and preparation resources that allowed the trip to go smoothly, and I travelled to Cambodia with confidence due to the help I received prior to departing. The local team was a friendly and knowledgeable group. They all made sure that we were happy and taught us many things about the local culture and were very time oriented. This opportunity has made me realize that so much joy comes from volunteering and helping those around you. I will most likely be volunteering with IVHQ again in the future. I gained confidence, new friends, a better resume, a connection with the students and school, and so much more. If someone is feeling hesitant about joining, they should follow their instincts and think about why they are looking into volunteering abroad. This route is affordable and safe. Traveling abroad this way allows you to have connections with the locals that can speak the language and help you in any situation.

The Program Guide is very thorough. It was easy to return to sections to double check details. I definitely gained an awareness of the reality for teachers in a third world country. They worked extremely hard with so few resources. I discovered that the Cambodian people with whom I worked with are so very resilient and well intentioned. Their circumstances are so very different from our first world circumstances they have no frame of reference, but were very eager to learn. I benefited tremendously from the experience, more than I anticipated. While I was there to help, which I believe I did, I received much in return.

The website is super well set up so following the steps to preparing for the trip was super easy and straight forward. I think I have gained personal skills, thanks to my placement, that I would otherwise never have, as well as a greater understanding of foreign cultures. The greatest element of my experience is how connected to the local community you feel and that is why I would recommend volunteering over vacation to anyone considering.

The preparation resources were very good. All of the documents including the help with Visa and passport photos made my travel and arrival very easy. The local team was fantastic and helped me in every way possible. I loved meeting the kids and witnessing what a Khmer life for a young kid was like was a life-changing experience. By volunteering abroad, there's nothing to lose! It's an amazing program with the kindest people who are happy to have you there. I learnt about Khmer culture and history. Understanding the values and daily life of Cambodian people was incredible.

Despite applying to an IVHQ program only around a month before the starting date, IVHQ constantly kept in touch with me to guide me through the preparation process and made me feel quite well-prepared for the trip! This experience helped me grow as a person (I feel more confident about stepping out of my comfort zone), as well as grow in my career (I was reminded once again of why I decided to become a teacher, and the experiences & challenges I faced during placement contributed to my career development as a teacher!). The science topic I taught my grade 1 class was 'plants'. We had an outdoor lesson where the students roamed around the school yard to find the different parts of plants (leaves, stem, roots, flowers, etc.). Seeing the students so engaged in their learning during this lesson was my favourite moment! The students all brought me different parts of plants to show me what they found with huge smiles on their faces :) Getting to work with teachers at the school I was placed in had the greatest impact on me. The passion and care the teachers had for their students, despite the lack of resources and facilities at school, really inspired me. This program motivated me to become a better teacher myself, and I am so excited to bring this passion into my own classrooms and with every student I will encounter in my career! This volunteer experience is so worth it! It can definitely feel scary and overwhelming, but the people you will meet during your volunteering trip will support you and guide you whenever you need. It is an amazing opportunity to be able to experience different cultures and explore another part of the world! It helped me grow a lot as an individual, as well as in my career development.

Very happy with information posted on the the IVHQ website. I really enjoyed staying at the volunteer accommodation in Siem Reap and the food I received was wonderful. The local team were a wonderful host. Helpful and knowledgeable. I felt part of the school teaching team and thoroughly enjoyed all of the teaching experience. I got on very well with the existing teaching team. I really enjoyed taking lead roles with the teaching.

There was an abundance of information provided by IVHQ about volunteering and the destination. The support team in Cambodia were great! I liked that a packed lunch was prepared daily so I didn't have to buy food outside. IVHQ is safe and always on hand to help.

The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was that it gave me a perspective on a life and culture that I would never have gained had I not gone. The little details and worries that you have before going to the country disappear once you step off that plane!

Hi, I'm Lorizah, I'm 28 years old and I am from Sydney, Australia. I volunteered in Cambodia for 2 weeks taking part in the IVHQ teaching project and it has been the most rewarding and humbling experience of my entire life! Getting involved in volunteer work has always been my dream & passion, as I have always wanted to give back to the community. I was so fortunate to be able to meet and teach English to such intelligent, enthusiastic and motivated students. Being greeted by their beautiful faces and contagious smiles everyday made my journey so worthwhile and it was so enjoyable from start to finish. The staff and other volunteers shared our mutual passion and love for the kids and education, we built a cute little family. On weekends I was able to explore the phenomenal Angkor Wat temple, floating village, local markets and experience Cambodias exotic culture and heritage. Although I am a teacher by profession, no amount of pay will be able to outweigh the happiness gained by teaching these children. This experience has taught me that if you spread good in this world, you will be rewarded in ways that will leave an everlasting impact in your life. It has completely changed my life and I cannot wait for my next volunteering adventure!

I had a fantastic experience during my time in Cambodia! This was my first time volunteering so I didn't know what to expect, but by the end of it I was extremely satisfied. I was in the teaching program, and it was a very fulfilling undertaking, with my only regret being that I wasn't there longer. The kids, the resident teachers, the staff, my fellow volunteers; everyone was amazing! IVHQ did a great job organising everything, and all went smoothly. Definitely recommend!

I had an unforgettable experience volunteering in Cambodia with IVHQ! I worked at a school with children. The children are so full of warmth, so dynamic, and so loving. Their eagerness to learn made teaching them an invaluable experience that I can honestly say was the best thing I have ever done! With three classes that I saw every day, I can only say how keen these children are to learn English and how much curiosity they have about the world. Spending some time abroad and experiencing how people live in a different country is an impressive and very enriching experience. I was moved by how happy and friendly people can be when they have so little. After meeting new people, getting accustomed to their lifestyle, and learning through experience, I can definitely say this trip contributed to my world education and understanding of another culture, challenged my personal limits, and developed new friendships. IVHQ made it incredibly simple for me to sign up for my program and I am hoping to take another volunteer trip soon. Thank you IVHQ for this memorable experience. I will definitely volunteer again with you.

I volunteered in Cambodia for 8 weeks teaching English. I was fortunate enough to spend one month in Phnom Penh at a school of 500 children, taking a class of 40! And then the second month in Siem Reap teaching at a beautiful orphanage that housed 35 children aged between 8-18 :) All the children are such sweet hearts who just want to learn, listen and get to know you! I was so so sad to leave all of the children that I worked with, but I aim to be back to visit them or even volunteer again soon! The IVHQ team in New Zealand were very supportive and quick to answer any questions I had along the way, making the application process an ease. The local team in Cambodia were also very accommodating and thorough, which made for a smooth transition into the volunteer house, the placements and just everyday life for us in this new country! The accommodation was more than I expected! Very clean and tidy, big rooms each with own ensuite, massive beds, fridge/freezer available and there was a water filter system that proved very handy! Also I can't forget to mention the amazing local dishes that were prepared for us daily by the lovely cooks, we were very lucky! I can't stop raving to friends and family about my amazing experience teaching in Cambodia! And I will continue to highly recommend IVHQ to anyone slightly interest, especially this program and this beautiful country... You've just got to go ahead and do it, you won't be disappointed!