Written by Natalie Mullins
In February 2024 I had the amazing opportunity to venture into Cambodia with Charles Sturt University (CSU) and experience firsthand the vibrancy of local communities, meet with representatives from local government and non-government organisations (NGO’s) and fully immerse myself in the nations culture.
Over the three unforgettable weeks, I, along with seven other students and our lecturer Dr. Jen Bond experienced the bustling business capital of Phnom Penh, journeyed throughout provinces in the countryside and explored the historic tourist hotspot of Siem Reap.
The Cambodia Sustainability Fieldwork program aims to provide awareness and understanding into Sustainable Development issues, with a focus on cultural heritage, sustainable tourism, wildlife trafficking, conservation, rural development and agriculture.
The diverse focus allows students with passions in an array of backgrounds to come together and share different insights and perspectives on the learning taking place in country.
With my focus on Environmental Science and my desire to undertake my honours and PhD this program allowed me to learn and develop specific research skills related to social surveying as well as refine my writing skills. I look forward to being able to apply these skills in future research projects I plan to undertake in future.
Some of the most heart wrenching parts of our journey was visiting the Killing Fields, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Landmine Museum. Standing on the grounds where so many innocent lives were lost, seeing preserved remains, artifacts and hearing survivors’ stories was both harrowing and humbling.
Personally, these locations reinforced the importance of remembrance and highlights the resilience of the Cambodians who have rebuilt their lives and communities in the decades since.
Some highlights from the trip were our homestay on Koh Preah Island where we stayed in a home with a local family, spent our afternoons cooling off in the Mekong River and embraced a way of life utterly different to life in Australia.
This grounding experience allowed me to reconnect with my own values and to truly appreciate the life and opportunities I have access to. With a passion for anything animal related, the opportunity to spot the Irrawaddy Dolphin along the Mekong River and being able to hang out with and feed the sun and moon bears became cherished memories reminding me of the connections that can exist between people and nature.
This journey built upon my experience from a previous study tour in Timor-Leste in 2023, which broadened my understanding and knowledge of nations in the Indo-Pacific region and deepened my passion to engage further with these countries.
I hope that others who joined me on this journey throughout Cambodia also gained a renewed perspective that highlights the value of cultural exchange, mutual respect and a sense of humility as we learn from other communities.
Click here to learn more about overseas opportunities with Charles Sturt!
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