Contents Flow About Cambodia
Location_History_Religion_Culture
Life in Cambodia
City_Food_Transportation Curreny_Language
AIESEC in Cambodia
Structure_Realization Peak Feedback Center
Prepare VISA On Arrival VISA
Contact List
Step 1.
Step 1.
Did you know that the population of Cambodia is 13.4
million?
Did you know that 1/5 of population is foreigners in Cambodia? Did you know that Cambodia’s GDP growth is 7.6% last year? Did you know that there are 60,000
monks are in Cambodia?
Did you know that over 2
million tourists are visiting Cambodia per year? Did you know that Cambodia was colonized by French for 90 years? Did you know that there were 1,386,734 victims of execution during the communist Khmer Rouge regime?
LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMBODIA !
About Cambodia
Location Cambodia is located on mainland Southeast Asia between Thailand to the west and north and Vietnam to the east and southeast. It shares a land border with Laos in the northeast. Living in Cambodia is easy-going. The people are very friendly and the public transportation in Cambodia is easy to access with taxi, tuk-tuk or motor taxi. Making impact in this country is a lifetime experience. Cambodia is full of temples, natural sites as well as eco-tourism sites. This country has over 1,000 ancient temples across the country. Also Cambodia is famous for its beautiful beach in the south and its world heritage Angkor Wat.
About Cambodia
History
People have been living within the area covered by the present-day country of Cambodia at least since the 5th millennium BC. The ancient Kingdom of Funan occupied a wider area, and it was during that period that the culture became heavily influenced by Hinduism. The state of Chenla then arose. The Khmer Empire had its golden age in the 9th to the 13th centuries, when huge temple complexes were built, most notably Angkor Wat. Spanish and Portuguese missionaries visited from the 16th century, and Cambodia became a protectorate of France in the 19th century, being ruled as part of French Indochina. Cambodia became an independent kingdom in 1953 under Norodom Sihanouk. The Vietnam War extended into Cambodia, giving rise to the Khmer Rouge, which took Phnom Penh in 1975 and carried out a campaign of mass killing. Following an invasion by Vietnam, the Khmer Rouge were deposed and the People's Republic of Kampuchea was established. After years of isolation, the war-ravaged nation was reunited under the monarchy in 1993 and has seen rapid economic progress while rebuilding from decades of civil war
About Cambodia
Religion Thearavada Buddhism is the official religion in Cambodia which is practiced by 95 percent of the population-- just like that of Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka. Buddhism originated in what are now north India and Nepal during the sixth century B.C. Theravada Buddhism is a tolerant, non-prescriptive religion that does not require belief in a supreme being. However, Christianity and Cham Muslim are being active and popular among a large number of population as well in the capital and provinces, showing a sign of growth. Daoism and Confuism are also commonly practiced among the Chinese people. Buddhist monks are highly disciplined and must follow 227 rules in addition to the ten basic precepts of being a good Buddhist. Monks cannot take part in entertainment. They lead simple lives dedicated to Buddhism and the temple.
About Cambodia
Culture
Throughout Cambodia's long history, religion has been a major source of cultural inspiration. Over nearly two millennia, Cambodians have developed a unique Khmer belief from the syncreticism of indigenous animistic beliefs and the Indian religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. Indian culture and civilization, including its languages and arts reached mainland Southeast Asia around the 1st century AD. It is generally believed that seafaring merchants brought Indian customs and culture to ports along the Gulf of Thailand and the Pacific en route to trade with China. The Kingdom of Funan was most probably the first Khmer state to benefit from this influx of Indian ideas. In Khmer culture a person's head is believed to contain the person's soul—therefore making it taboo to touch or point one's feet at it. It is also considered to be extremely disrespectful to use the feet to point out a person, or to sit or sleep with the soles of the feet pointing at a person, as the feet are the lowest part of the body and are considered to be impure. When greeting people or to show respect in Cambodia people do the "sampeah" gesture, identical to the Indian Namaste and Thai wai. Customary Cambodian teachings are laid out in verse form in long works from the 14th to 18th centuries collectively called Chhbap ("rules" or "codes"). These were traditionally learned by rote. Works such as the Chhbap Pros ("Boy's Code"), Chhbap Srey ("Girl's Code") and Chhbap Peak Chas ("Code of Ancient Words") gave such advice as: a person that does not wake up before sunrise is lazy; a child must tell parents or elders where they go and what time they will return home; always close doors gently, otherwise a bad temper will be assumed; sit in a chair with the legs straight down and not crossed (crossing the legs is a mark of an impolite person); and always let the other person do more talking. In Cambodia it is not polite to make eye contact with someone who is older or someone who is considered a superior.
LIFE
Step 2.
in Cambodia
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Main City
Cambodia is one of the world's newest and most exciting travel destinations. After years of isolation under the Khmer Rouge Regime, Cambodia's stable political economy meant that tourist numbers have increased every year since. you can discover the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, a wonder of the world near Siem Reap; the cultural attractions of Phnom Penh; and the beaches of Sihanoukville. Phnom Penh's chaotic yet charismatic culture is rich and interesting; with the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the Killing Fields to learn about as well as with many art shops, cinemas, bookshops, galleries, and casinos to visit. Shopping in Phnom Penh is a must – you can find plenty malls and markets that sell all sorts of electronics, silk material, crafts & furniture, fashion &accessories –this is a great opportunity to use your bargaining skills. Note that you can probably end up paying a third less than the original price given.
Independence Monument, Phnom Penh
Koh Rong Island
Battambang, Siem Reap
Food Cambodian cuisine includes noodles, soups, grills, stir-fried, curries, salads, desserts, lots of vegetables, tropical fruits, and of course rice which is the staple food for Cambodians. Cambodian culinary secrets are rarely written down; the recipes were instead handed down from mother to daughter. From an ancient origin has come a traditional cuisine of unsuspected treasures: a unique blend of flavors and colors that enhance the natural ingredients used. Cambodians perfected the art of blending spice paste using many ingredients like cloves, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger and turmeric. They add other native ingredients like galangal, garlic, shallots, lemongrass, cilantro, and kaffir lime leaves to these spices to make a rather distinctive and complex spice blend known as “kroeung�. Although noodles are also popular, almost every meal includes a bowl of rice. A wide range of curries, soups and stir fried are usually served with rice. Being in a country that produces many rice varieties, tourists can enjoy the best aromatic grains and various types of glutinous rice. The latter is more commonly served with a salad or in desserts with fruits. There are two other unique ingredients that give Cambodian cuisines their fabulous typical flavour. One is a pungent fermented fish paste known as pra-hok and the other, the kapi, a fermented prawn paste. These require an acquired taste for most but they are beloved by some who used them in many dishes or even taken as a dipping sauce.
LIFE IN CAMBODIA Collectively, these ingredients have become an important aromatic combination commonly used in Cambodian cuisines. There are two other unique ingredients that give Cambodian cuisines their fabulous typical flavour. One is a pungent fermented fish paste known as prahok and the other, the kapi, a fermented prawn paste. These require an acquired taste for most but they are beloved by some who used them in many dishes or even taken as a dipping sauce. Collectively, these ingredients have become an important aromatic combination commonly used in Cambodian cuisines.
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Food
Prahok Kties is a delicious staple
Machu Kroung (soup), a healthy, Korko, the hearty traditional gravy is
dish of Cambodian cuisine. Prahok, which means fermented fish, is GOLD to Cambodian cuisine, and can take up different shapes of flavor, depending on the recipe. Prahok Kties is fried with pork taken from the belly sides of the hog, which accentuates the flavor, particularly with the amazing quality of pork (sakchru) that Cambodia produces. It leaves you with an amazing taste in your palates.
fulfilling, flavorful sweet and sour soup that is incredibly wholesome. The fried peanuts accentuate the soup. The lemongrass (slak krai) and the saffron truly complement each other and to top it off, the decorative local grown chili flakes (matey) make this quite an appealing site to the eye. This is in fact more towards a curry than it is the soup that most foreigners thought it to be.
truly quite delightful; its base ingredient is actually toasted rice pounded and t u rn e d in t o a t a st y b a se a n d complimented by prahok, pork and pumpkin, which together add a delicious warmth and texture to the palate. Korko, is one of those great fusions of traditional ingredients cooked to perfection.
Transportation
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
The public transportation in Cambodia is easy to access with taxi, tuk-tuk or motor taxi. For both motor taxi and tuk-tuk, you can bargain the price and the price depends on the distance. Generally, Tuk-Tuk is more expensive but cheaper when with friends.
Basic Khmer for Direction
Turn right – bot s’dam Turn left – bot ch’wayng Go straight – dtou dtrong Turn back – dtou grao-ee Stop - chop It is also very inexpensive to live and travel within Cambodia. Flight prices rise dramatically over Christmas and the summer, and dropping significantly during lax periods of business like February, June and October. It is possible to use buses to cross into Cambodia from Thailand or Vietnam. The most popular way to/from Vietnam is a cheap $6 bus via Bavet (Cambodian side) and Moc Bai (Vietnam). From Thailand, many travellers take the fun $14 ‘scam bus’ from Bangkok to Siem Reap via the Poipet– Aranya Prathet border crossing. It costs around $10-$15 to travel from Phnom Penh to other cities like Siem Reap (Angkok Wat). The best way to see Phnom Penh or other cities is to jump and get a ride in a Tuk-Tuk.
Tuk - Tuk
Currency
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Cambodia uses both US dollar and its own currency called KHR (Cambodian Riels).
1 US dollar = 4,000 KHR Example of common living expenses in Phnom Penh Lunch or Dinner_ 1~3 USD Public Transportation_ Around 7USD per week Laundry Service_ 3~6 USD per week Smartphone Internet Fee_5USD per 2.5GB Sports Club Single Entrance_ 0.25~5 USD Bus Ticket to Shinoukville Beach_ 5hours, 4 USD Bangkok_ 10 hours, 13 USD Ho Chi Minh City_ 6 hours, 8 USD
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Language Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. The Cambodian language is derived from the Mon-Khmer (Austro-Asiatic) language family. Khmer is renowned for possessing one of the largest sets of alphabets; it consists of 33 consonants, 23 vowels and 12 independent vowels. While tourists may wish to learn a few spoken phrases before or when visiting Cambodia, English is widely spoken and understood. French and Mandarin are also spoken frequently in the country; most elderly Cambodians speak French and many people in the Khmer-Chinese population speak Mandarin.
Basic Khmer
Hello Thank you How much? Beef Pork Chicken Rice Noodle Soup
Sur Sdey Orkun Maan? Sach ko Sach Jruk Sach Moan Bye Mee Soup
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Festivals and Holidays The Kingdom of Cambodia has a wealth of traditional and cultural festivals dated according to the Cambodian lunar calendar. All of these festivals are influenced by the concepts of Buddhism, Hinduism, and royal cultures. The festivals, which serve as a source of great joy, merriment and Cambodia’s national colors, play a major role in influencing tourists’ opinions, behaviors, and options. Most of these are a time of great rejoicing for the predominantly urban and the rural populace. Nowadays the whole nation unites in understanding its cultural values and traditions. On these pages, are some of the important celebrations organized during the year. You can find all the Khmer Holidays here.
Water Festival in Phnom Penh
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Water Festival The Water Festival, a spectacle to behold, is probably the most exorbitant festival held each year in November. It is usually celebrated for three days, i.e. the 14th and 15th of the waxing moon and the 1st of the waning moon of the month of Kadek. The 15th of the waxing moon is the last full moon day. The festival ushers in the fishing season, marks a change in the flow of the TonlĂŠ Sap and the ebbing-water season, and is seen as thanksgiving to the Mekong River for providing the country with fertile land and abundant fish.
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Khmer New Year The Khmer New Year, or 'Bon Chol Chhnam Thmei' in the Khmer language, is commonly celebrated on 13th April each year although sometimes the holiday may fall on the 14th April in keeping with the Cambodian lunar calendar. This marks the end of the harvest season when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor and relax before the start of the rainy season. During this time, people engage in traditional Khmer games; they paly such games as the Bas Angkunh 'seed throwing', Chaol Chhoung 'twisted-scarf throwing', Leak KansĂŠng 'twisted-scarf hide', tug of war, shuttlecock kicking, etc.
LIFE IN CAMBODIA
Royal Ploughing Ceremony The Royal Ploughing Ceremony, or 'Bon Chroat Preah Nongkoal' in the Khmer language, is solemnly celebrated at the beginning of the sowing and planting season. Every year in May, this cultural ceremony takes place at the park in front of the National Museum (next to the Royal Palace). Cambodia has deep connection with earth and farming. There is a deep astrological belief that royal oxen known in Khmer as Usapheak Reach, have an instrumental role in determining the fate of the agricultural harvest each year. The field is ceremoniously ploughed three times around. The royal servants then drive the royal oxen to seven golden trays containing rice, corn, sesame seeds, beans, grass, water, and wine to feed. The royal soothsayers interpret what the oxen have eaten and predict a series of events including epidemics, floods, good harvests, and excessive rainfall. At this festival, both men and women wear brightly colored Khmer traditional costume.
Step 3.
AIESEC in Cambodia
Structure NATIONAL OFFICE
AIESEC IFL
AIESEC LUCT
AIESEC PP
AIESEC WatPhnom
Kathryn Moore
“
AIESEC UBC, Vancouver, Canada I have had the opportunity to travel to two provinces for work, and I attended an international forum in Thailand on behalf of CfD. I have worked with the Executive Director to make organization-wide decisions; designing market research for a school-based sanitation project; preparing final reports; I have learned a great deal about not only d evelo pmen t wo rk b u t also cu ltu ral awareness and sensitivity, and I have fallen in love with. Its rich culture, tragic history, and hot climate make it a fantastic place for p e r s o n a l g r o w t h , w o r k , a n d p l a y.
�
“
Konrad Plechowski, AIESEC Torun UMK, Poland
My Cambodian experience is absolutely brilliant. After 6 years of waiting to do my exchange, Cambodia has exceeded all my expectations! It was love from the first sight! People are so friendly, and I feel welcomed and appreciated everywhere! I can get great massages for US $5, mediate with Buddhist monks in temple, drive anywhere with my own motorbike under clear blue skies, and explore the amazing countryside that hides real treasures… AIESECers around have created a great social circle, which is just incredible. You would never expect how great Cambodia really is. Don’t hesitate, just come!
”
Step 4.
PREPARE VISA
VISA For all incoming Exchange Participants to Cambodia, we are suggesting you to apply for Business Visa. This visa can be applied on arrival at Cambodia airport (Phnom Penh and Siem Reap). Getting a visa for Cambodia is very hassle-free and quick for nearly all nationalities. Tourist visas are now available online, go to http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/vindex.aspx. You can also buy your visa on arrival in Phnom Penh's airport and at all the land crossings with Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. A tourist visa costs $20 and a business visa $25. So, it's very easy to come to Cambodia! Visa can be prolonged up to 1 year.
1. Find visa application counter at the airport. 2. Fill the visa application form (Notes: in the application form there’s no option for business visa, please choose ordinary visa).
3. In the form they are going to ask where you are staying in Cambodia, please ask your TN manager (responsible LC or MC) about the address of your accommodation. (You can put one of AIESEC members’s house address if you still don’t know the address of your accommodation. Or, you may write the office address of AIESEC Cambodia: #55, Street 180, Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh )
4. Submit 1 copy of your photograph (4x6 cm, passport size).
5. Ordinary/Business visa will cost you USD 25. * For invitation letter, the immigration counter usually does not ask you to submit this, however just in case you can ask your TN manager to give this letter to you before your departure to Cambodia. **
Step 5. Alladi Ruthvik MCVP IGIP ruthviik.gupta@aiesec.net
Rothkeo Norm MCVP IGCDP rothkeo.norm@aiesec.net