What are the medical facilities like in Phnom Penh?

Aside from your personal medical insurance (which you will need to get before arrival), Phnom Penh has a high standard of medical facilities. There are numerous internationally staffed clinics in the city, such as the NAGA Clinic and the AEA International SOS. During the orientation, you will be shown where these facilities are.

Where can I study a TEFL course?

Our sister organisation, CamTEFL, offers industry-standard (120 hour/four week) TEFL certificate courses in Phnom Penh that coincide with our dates for volunteering. For more information, please visit CamTEFL.

Can I stay longer than three months?

We initially accept volunteers for three months (one semester) only, but you are welcome to stay longer if everything is going well.

Can I learn the Cambodian (Khmer) language?

Yes, students at the school are happy to give you free ongoing Khmer language classes, and we can arrange this for you.

When are the main holidays each semester?

• August-November groups: Pchum Benh Festival (in October)

• November-February groups: Christmas/New Year (in December/January)

• February-May groups: Khmer New Year (in April)

• May-August groups: No festival - school holiday only.

Are there opportunities to travel while volunteering?

Absolutely - travel begins during the orientation, when there is an opportunity to join a three-day trip to meet CRDT in Kratie province and see the work you and the school support.

There is also a one-week holiday mid-semester which could be used to visit Siem Reap/Angkor Wat and Battambang, and typically at least one long-weekend which could be used to travel to the beach at Sihanoukville or the limestone caves, Bokor Hill Station and sea at Kampot and Kep.

Aside from the trip to CRDT, there won't be time to travel before or during the orientation if you are arriving on the group starting date. If you'd like to travel before the orientation, please arrange to arrive back in Phnom Penh on the starting date.

Do you know of other volunteer opportunities?

For volunteer opportunities in other parts of the world with our partner organisation, visit Global Volunteers Network (GVN).

For a directory of other volunteer opportunities in Cambodia, including shorter-term opportunities, visit Volunteers Cambodia.

For volunteer teaching opportunities at a rural university in Cambodia, visit The Australian Aid for Cambodia Fund (AACF).

For volunteer opportunities in India, visit Friends of Kolkata.

What is the address of the school?

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Conversations With Foreigners (CWF)
No. 85 St.155
Corner St. 478 and St. 155
Toul Tumpung
Phnom Penh
Cambodia

• You can use this address to receive mail while you are volunteering, but please note that the postal service is not 100% reliable.
• If you are in Phnom Penh, the school is 500m south of the Russian Market on Street 155, on the right-hand side.

Can I contact past CWF volunteers?

Please email us if you would like to contact past volunteers directly. We can provide email addresses and may be able to arrange for you to meet with volunteers who have returned home. 

Where can I use the internet?

Ten minutes walk from the house is an internet café charging 1500 riel (about US40c) per hour. This has the full Microsoft Office package, as well as internet calling programs. You can also make reasonably priced overseas calls. Please note the internet is not fast!

What should I wear?

Clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is preferred in Cambodia. To teach, smart casual clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is required, no need for ties, just have a professional appearance.

What should I bring with me?

You can buy almost anything in Phnom Penh, but if you have them, the following might be useful:

• laptop and USB flash drive/memory stick
• bicycle and/or motorbike helmet (about US$15 in Phnom Penh, but low quality)
• basic first-aid kit, including needle kit if traveling to rural areas
• books, magazines, DVDs, games for the volunteer house
• extra teaching materials including dictionaries/photo dictionaries, maps, pictures and posters for the school
• minimum of three spare passport photos for visa extensions.