Cambodian cultural encounter

From the temples of Angkor, to sampling deep-fried tarantulas at a roadside stall, a group of 14 Year 12–13 students were challenged by the sights, smells, and history of a culture that extends back thousands of years, during a 17-day cultural encounter in Cambodia during the Term 1 holidays.

Head of Senior College, John Ruge, who accompanied the group, along with Physical Education and Health teacher, Kate Taylor, says it was the first trip back to Cambodia for St Andrew’s students since the COVID-19 pandemic. “The students had an amazing experience in a fascinating country. They coped well with very warm temperatures, which reached into the 40s most days.”

The group was based in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Kampot, and had several days working with a variety of non- government organisations, hearing about their work and interacting with students of all ages. “This was an eye-opening experience for many of our students and a powerful reminder of the privileges, and temperate climate, we enjoy in Aotearoa New Zealand,” says John.

Some of the NGOs which had a great impact on the students included ABCs and Rice, which provides both education and food to the poorest children from local villages, and Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC), which works with young people aged 15–30, providing them with education and lifeskills. “Our students enjoyed spending two mornings with the young people on the JWOC programme, sharing their culturesand experiences.”

The students also made the most of some down time,with three days on the southern coast a highlight.

John expects travelling to such a culturally-rich country full of massive contrasts, is bound to have a lasting impact on the students. “It is one of those experiences which will stay with them and become even more meaningful as they reflect on it. Visiting Cambodia is a powerful opportunity for our young people. Hopefully we can continue to run thistrip in the future, strengthing our existing links there and building new ones.”