Siem Reap is a fascinating and vibrant place to visit.  Situated close to the stunning Angkor Watt temple complex, it is a major draw for tourists from all over the world.  The road from the tiny airport to the city centre is lined with massive hotels and the town boasts numerous bars, restaurants, tourist shops and travel agencies catering to the tourist and traveller’s every need.  However, Siem Reap as a province is actually one of the poorest in Cambodia and if you venture away from the hubbub of the town to the shanty suburbs and surrounding villages, you can see how prevalent the poverty still is. 

Working for 3 months as an English teacher through BUNAC’s Volunteer Cambodia programme, I was able to experience both aspects of the city.  As much as I dislike clichés, it really was a ‘life changing’ experience, where I was able to truly immerse myself in the rich culture and history of the country, as well as feel that I may actually be making a little bit of a difference where help is needed.

The temples are simply mind blowing, seeing the sunrise over the three awesome towers that are famously displayed on the nation’s flags is undoubtedly one of my most poignant memories.  Though there are so many more…from travelling in the back of a truck to the waterfalls of Phnom Kulen, to coasting through the flooded forest on the edge of the massive Tonle Sap lake, to simply lazing in a hammock in the garden of the volunteer house.  However, I have to say the best memories I have concern the people I met.  In my opinion Cambodia certainly lives up to its name as the Country of Smiles, its people are some of the friendliest I have ever come across, which is all the more amazing when you consider what their country has been through in the last 40 years, and how poor many of its inhabitants are.  The students at my school were a pleasure to teach, and the staff equally as welcoming.  I was even lucky enough to be invited to not one but two weddings of local teachers!  And the other volunteers I lived with were brilliant and I made life long friends.

If you are the sort of person who wants to visit this amazing Southeast Asian country, not just as a tourist or traveller passing though, but to feel a part of the community and do something truly worthwhile, then I would definitely recommend applying to BUNAC’s Volunteer Cambodia programme, where you will get the chance to live in Siem Reap and do just that.