Cambodia is one of the poorest countries among impoverished nations. It has a population of 15 million, with 70% of the population consisting of children and youth under the age of 25. Many Cambodian parents are unable to provide appropriate educational environments for their children due to extreme poverty.
They also live on less than $1 a day. From my personal experience in Cambodia, I saw children sleeping on garbage heaps, and many people with infants begging for $1 in the evening at commercial areas. However, if Cambodian children can receive English education, they will have the ability to earn a living by acquiring skills rather than merely begging for money. How about spending some time as an educator teaching English to children in Cambodia through this project?
English Requirement ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Basic knowledge of English sentences and grammar is required, as well as the ability to teach English in English.
Since participants are assigned to classes based on their English proficiency, exceptional English skills are not required.
Main Activities
- The project involves about 4 hours of activity per day.
- Volunteering hours will alternate between morning and afternoon activities each month.
- Project hours may vary according to local conditions.
- Participation is possible in all periods except the first week of April.
- Projects start on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Important Notes
- Activity institutions may vary depending on the institution's circumstances and will be assigned considering TO, participant's period, and capabilities.
- Final information about the participating institution will be provided individually after confirmation of participation.
* Detailed participant reviews can be found on Gap Year Stories (Click).
* More participant reviews can be found at the bottom of the project under "Participant Reviews".
Local Orientation | Online Orientation | Online Consulting | Local Organization Certificate |
Gap Year Overseas Experience Certificate | Participant Dispatch Processing | Gap Year Mid-Project Consulting | Gap Year Mission |
24-Hour Emergency Contact Network | Flight Ticket Purchase Assistance | Real-Time Counseling Service | Gap Year Notebook |
Project Registration and Participation Fee | Gap Year Mission Scholarship Payment | OT Materials | Local Volunteer Accommodation |
Airport Pick-Up | 3 Meals a Day | On-Site Coordinator | Program Support and Training |
WiFi in Accommodation | Fan in Room |
Not included:
⦁ Round-trip airfare
⦁ Transportation between accommodation and internship location
⦁ Visa issuance fee
⦁ Personal travel insurance
⦁ Other personal expenses
The NGO organization running this project is located in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. It was established with the goal of providing education that can help young students in Cambodia find better jobs in the future.
The organization provides living space, education, and job experience education to about 30 children. They gather a junior staff team to provide job-related experiences for children over 14 years old and give them a chance to save some money for the future. With the help of junior staff, local teachers, and foreign volunteers, they provide English education to young children.
Additionally, the organization supports Cambodian students in seizing opportunities to go to college. They provide free English education to about 100 college students and over 150 children living in the surrounding areas, contributing to the development of Cambodia.
Message from the Local Organization Representative
I am Mey, the person in charge of managing local volunteers. I have been running this program for a long time and have had the opportunity to work with a variety of foreign volunteers. One thing I want to say to volunteers is not to hesitate to ask for help if difficult situations or problems arise. Please feel free to ask for help!
Our staff, including myself, are actively working to resolve many issues, including cultural differences, for the benefit of volunteers. The accommodations and the organizations where you will volunteer are very safe and verified. However, don't come with too high expectations of Cambodia. Through this activity, you will make new friends and not feel lonely. It would be great if you come with an open mind!
During the project period, you will stay in a guesthouse-type volunteer accommodation with other participants.
Generally, the proportion of foreign participants is higher than that of Koreans, so you will have the opportunity to enjoy communal living with friends from various nationalities at the guesthouse. The accommodation is run by local Cambodian families who have been operating it for a long time, and it is located in the city center, ensuring a safe living environment.
Rooms are shared by up to 3 people, and each room is equipped with a private bathroom, a fan, and basic furniture. The common areas on the 2nd floor of the accommodation include sofas, tables, and chairs, providing relaxation facilities where you can rest after work or spend time with friends during the evenings and weekends.
Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can choose your preferred menu in advance. Lunch can also be taken as a packed meal. Breakfast usually consists of simple items like bread, eggs, fruit, and tea. Lunch and dinner offer a variety of options such as sandwiches, fried rice, noodles, curry, and meats. The accommodation is located in Phnom Penh city, making it convenient to participate in the project during the week and explore the surroundings on weekends.It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the accommodation to the activity center. Using Cambodia's transportation method, tuk-tuk, it takes around 15 minutes.
Shared room / Private bathroom (hot water available) / 3 meals a day (breakfast / lunch / dinner) provided / Fan available
* Participants who wish to change options within the accommodation can select air conditioning and single/double/triple rooms by paying additional fees according to the accommodation TO. Please note that Cambodia is generally the hottest from March to May, and spaces tend to fill up quickly between July and August.
* The time required to travel to the activity center may vary depending on traffic conditions.
* The above photo is an example to aid understanding; the room layout and furniture may vary depending on the time of participation and local circumstances.
* If you are sensitive to heat, you can opt to pay extra to switch to an air-conditioned room on-site. Availability may vary depending on local conditions.
#A Small Tip on Cambodian Transportation
Cambodia has a limited transportation infrastructure, with no developed public transit systems like city buses or subways. The main modes of transportation in Cambodia are motorcycle taxis, where you ride on the back of a motorcycle, and tuk-tuks, which are modified tricycles. Motorcycle taxis are very unsafe. Therefore, it is recommended to use tuk-tuks for safety reasons, even if it costs a bit more.
Unlike regular taxis, tuk-tuks do not have fixed rates, and the fare is negotiated with the driver each time. A typical one-way fare starts from about 2 USD, and costs vary widely depending on distance, time of day, and number of passengers.
You may be confused by the unfamiliar transportation system at first, but if you understand Cambodia's relatively poor transport infrastructure and adapt to the local culture, you will be able to enjoy your stay in Cambodia much more!
ㅣ Location : Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Cambodia's official name is ‘Kingdom of Cambodia’ and it is located in the southeastern part of the Indochina Peninsula, sharing borders with Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. The capital city, Phnom Penh, is the economic and political center where the painful past of French colonialism and modern development coexist.
The city is filled with many attractions such as the National Museum, Royal Palace, Water Palace, and Independence Monument. On the other hand, you can also see the struggles of Cambodians who live under the shadow of rapid economic development. The country has been devastated by economic collapse and widespread corruption among politics and businesses.
Without the strength to fight corruption or the will to achieve development, people live day by day. Therefore, education is needed for children, and we believe that through education, effective solutions for economic development and the country can be found. We are trying to provide various educational opportunities to children.
3. Phnom Penh Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is an iconic building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The palace was constructed in the traditional Khmer architectural style. Built about 100 years ago, it is still preserved as a historic building. A tip for visitors: you cannot enter the Royal Palace wearing sleeveless tops or short shorts. Before visiting, prepare long sleeves and pants or rent appropriate clothing for a small fee in front of the palace.
- Healthy adults aged 18 or older
- People who have an interest in or dream of becoming an educator
- People who want to teach English to orphans and children in Cambodia
- People who want to participate in volunteer activities and interact with friends from various countries
- People who want to have a unique experience during the vacation period
- People who can communicate in English at a basic level
- People with an open mind
■ Projects start on the first and third Mondays of every month.
■ The minimum participation period for this project is 4 weeks or more .
■ Participation Fees
4 weeks 1,780,000 KRW
6 weeks 2,010,000 KRW
8 weeks 2,300,000 KRW
12 weeks 2,780,000 KRW
16 weeks 3,320,000 KRW
* For popular projects, there might be no availability, so please apply early to secure a spot.
■ Gap Year Mission Scholarship (▶ Learn More)
■ Payment Information
For those who cannot pay the full amount, if you pay a registration fee of 500,000 KRW in advance and pay the remaining balance within 2 weeks, the process for confirming participation in the project will begin from the date the registration fee is paid. You will be informed of your eligibility and availability for the project. Early registration is important to secure your desired date and period! (Refunds are not available once participation is confirmed)
* However, if the start date is approaching, the balance payment schedule may vary depending on the situation.
■ Early Bird Discount and Urgent Application Information
It is recommended to apply for all Gap Year projects at least 3 months before the project start date due to normal processing procedures and Gap Year preparation time, and the principle is to apply at least 2 months in advance. However, if you have an urgent need to participate in the project, you can pay an additional fee for the urgent application service, and we will assist you in the fastest processing.
* While we assist with the fastest processing, there is basic time required for communication with local agencies and confirmation of participation. All procedures will be the same as for general participants, so those using the urgent application service must actively cooperate with the Korea Gap Year Operations Team.
** Those who apply at least 180 days before the start date can receive an early bird discount.
*** The urgent application service can be applied for in the options above. For inquiries regarding the urgent application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
- Services Provided: Gap Year mission and note automatic application / OT materials provided immediately upon confirmation of participation / Emergency personnel additional placement / Support in preparing documents if needed, etc.
* If you have difficulty calculating dates, please refer to Naver Date Calculator >> Go to Naver Date Calculator
**Note: In cases of extremely urgent applications, there may be no available TO (positions) depending on local circumstances, and procedures will proceed according to Gap Year refund regulations. Also, issues arising from participant non-cooperation are the responsibility of the participant.
■Estimated Costs (per week)
ITEM | Details and Remarks | Amount | Category |
Round-Trip Airfare (TAX included) | Varies per Flight | Approx 35,000 ~ 80,000 KRW | Not Included |
Visa Issuance Fee | Visa Processing and Issuance Fee | $30 | |
Indiviual Travel Insurance | Varies by Insurance Company/Duration | Approx 10,000 KRW | |
Airport Usage Fee | - | - | |
Local Stay Costs | - | - |
*Airfare may vary depending on the flight.
*Local stay costs are based on average standards and may vary depending on the participant's preferences.
*Participants' travel expenses and personal spending money are separate.
■ 참고 (예상 현지 물가)
Accommodation | Per Night | Meal | Per Meal |
Guest House | Approx 10,000 KRW | Local Meals | Approx 2,000 KRW |
Hotel |
Approx 20,000 KRW |
Restaurant | Approx 5,000 KRW |
*Estimated local prices are based on average standards and may vary depending on the participant's preferences.