FAQ

We accept volunteers from all over the world, but as we are an English language school, we prefer native speakers and those completely fluent in English.

Native speakers don’t require TEFL/TESOL/CELTA or tertiary teaching qualifications, but they certainly help in the classroom! There are internationally recognised TEFL and CELTA providers in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam if you would like to study before you arrive.

Non-native speakers do require English teaching experience and/or qualifications, or English certification equivalent to First Certificate of English; IELTS (4.5+); TOEIC (400+); TOEFL (80+); VEC (9+); or CEFR (B2). Non-native speaking applicants who possess high fluency, but lack certification are encouraged to apply, but will need to demonstrate written and verbal fluency during the application process.

Unfortunately, Cambodia has very strict Business visa requirements for citizens of many African and Middle Eastern nations. We urge anyone from these countries to consult a visa specialist to see if you are eligible for a Cambodian E-Type business visa before applying.

The minimum age to join our program is 18. Applicants aged 70+ will be considered on a case by case basis.

No. Our students range from 13 to 60. We are not an orphanage, nor are we a shelter, a refuge or rehabilitation centre. Many volunteer organisations offer a feel-good experience where you can visit an orphanage and play and teach young children for a short time, and often at a very high price. We feel these kinds of ‘opportunities’ are not beneficial for either volunteer or the children involved. Friends International highlighted the growing problem of orphanage voluntourism in their recent campaign Children Are Not Tourist Attractions, encouraging people to apply the same privacy and protection standards they would expect at home, and think before visiting orphanages.

Our students are a mix of high school and university students, professionals, tuk tuk drivers, public servants, stay at home parents, and even retirees, wanting to share their culture, learn about yours, and improve their spoken English. We offer a fun, informal environment and a low student enrolment fee to enable this cultural exchange and provide a valuable and lasting experience for both student and volunteer.

Phnom Penh is no more dangerous than any other major city in the rest of the world. A common sense approach to your activities and behavior that you would apply at home will just be as effective in ensuring your safety in Phnom Penh. There are obviously things and places that we recommend that you would avoid, and we will provide you with plenty of information about how to avoid dangers during our orientation program.

Phnom Penh has a number of international standard clinics with 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.Phnom Penh also has several high quality dental clinics. During the orientation, you will be shown where these facilities are.

We strongly encourage all volunteers to purchase medical and personal effects insurance. World Nomads offers a comprehensive policy for around US$200.

All volunteers should be aware of health risks while travelling. The WHO has a comprehensive booklet to keep you well informed here.

We recommend you consult your doctor well before departure to ensure you are prepared to come to Cambodia. Common recommendations include MMR, DPT, Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis and Typhoid. The US Government Center for Disease Control offers useful health information for travellers.

Malaria is present in Cambodia, but Phnom Penh, around the Tonle Sap lake, and Siem Reap/Angkor Complex are considered Malaria-free.

Dengue Fever is present in Cambodia. There are no vaccines or drugs available to prevent Dengue, so caution should be taken to avoid bites from mosquitoes during the day.

Effective insect repellents:

• DEET (chemical name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide). Products containing DEET include, but are not limited to, Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon.
• Picaridin (KBR 3023 [Bayrepel] and icaridin outside the United States; chemical name: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester). Products containing picaridin include, but are not limited to, Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan (outside the United States).
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (chemical name: para-menthane-3,8-diol), the synthesized version of OLE. Products containing OLE and PMD include, but are not limited to, Repel. This recommendation refers to EPA-registered repellent products containing the active ingredient OLE (or PMD). “Pure” oil of lemon eucalyptus (essential oil) is not the same product; it has not undergone similar, validated testing for safety and efficacy, is not registered with EPA as an insect repellent, and is not covered by this recommendation.
• IR3535 (chemical name: 3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester). Products containing IR3535 include, but are not limited to, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition.

Source

Volunteers should arrive no later than the set starting dates for each semester. If you arrive on the set date, you will be picked up from the airport by program staff and taken directly to the Volunteer House (or your arranged accommodation if you are living independently).

Those travelling in Cambodia or surrounding countries prior to the beginning of their semester should keep us well informed of their expected arrival date and entry method. We always do our best to ensure each volunteer is greeted and assisted from the very first day they arrive in Phnom Penh.Volunteers not arriving by air should ensure they are in Phnom Penh before the start date, and contact us when they arrive. All important contact information is included in application correspondence.

We initially accept volunteers for three months (one semester) only, but you are welcome to stay longer if everything is going well. We have hosted volunteers for as many as 3 consecutive semesters (9 months)!

The program usually has around 20 volunteers, but numbers always vary. We have a mixture of volunteers living in the house and living independently.

A vegetarian option is prepared for each meal. We often have more vegetarians than not! Our vegetarian dishes are usually just the non-vegetarian dish, cooked and served without meat. Tofu, eggs, and lentils are often used as a protein substitute.

Those with allergies should inform us during the application process so that we can establish whether we can cater for your allergy. Common allergies such as nuts or dairy are easily accommodated.

Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG) is used widely throughout Cambodia. Those allergic to MSG should be aware that it will be very difficult to avoid when eating outside of the house. We do not use MSG at the volunteer house.

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 long holiday, sometimes a week in the middle of the 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 program, please arrange to arrive in Phnom Penh on the starting date.

December – March Groups: Christmas/New Year (December/January), and Chinese New Year (around January/February)

March – June Groups: Khmer New Year (April)

June – September Groups: Midterm school holiday only (July)

September – December Groups: Pchum Benh Festival (September/October)

Each semester also has other single day public holidays such as Coronation Day and King’s Mother’s Birthday.

We are happy to recommend other worthwhile volunteer opportunities concerned with the development of Cambodia, and other projects around the world. The opportunities listed here are provided in good faith. We are not affiliated with these organisations, nor do we receive financial compensation for listing them here.

AboutAsia Schools supports the education of children in rural Siem Reap. Volunteering in Siem Reap, with AboutAsia Schools makes a real impact on the future of the poorest Cambodian children.

Visitors to Battambang in Cambodia’s east can contact Kun at My Battambang Homestay. Kun has a wealth of experience and knowledge of NGO and volunteer work  and can help find and organise volunteer projects in the area.

For volunteer opportunities in India, visit Friends of Kolkata and Northeast Monologues.

Our school mailing address is:

Conversations With Foreigners (CWF)
No. 247C
Street 271 (Blvd Yothapol Khermarak Phoum)
Sangkat Toul Tum Poung II, 12311
Khan Chamcarmon
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. Courier companies are reliable, and there are Aramex, Fedex and DHL offices in Phnom Penh.

We’ve hosted over 300 volunteers from all over the world over the past 6 years. Most of our volunteers are Australian, North American and British, but we welcome anyone who meets the eligibility criteria.

 

View All CWF Volunteers in a full screen map

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

At the volunteer house we provide an 512kbps ADSL connection, a desktop PC to share with your house mates, and a secure WIFI connection if you bring your laptop/tablet/smartphone.  The internet connection is not super fast!

Phnom Penh also has many cheap internet cafés, with several about two minutes walk from the house. Here you can make reasonably priced overseas calls.

3G wireless internet is booming in Cambodia, so if you have a smart phone we can help you find a great deal on pre-paid phone/data packages.

Clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is preferred in Cambodia, as it reflects local customs and modesty. Light, natural fibres are recommended to help with the heat.

In the classroom, smart casual clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is required. No need for ties, just have a professional appearance and your students will respect you for making the effort. Please read our teaching Dress Code.

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.