Snapshots of Southeast Asia

Arrive into Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Have a Khmer dinner and head back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Arun-suer-sdey! Begin with visits to cultural and historical locations in Phnom Penh. Head to Tuol Sleng, a former school that was used as a prison and has since been converted into a museum to educate visitors about the country’s genocide, and visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Tour the Royal Palace where the King currently resides and visit Olympic Stadium, where Cambodians gather before and after work to exercise and meet up with friends.

Pass through rural Cambodia on your way to Battambang and then settle into this less touristy city for the next two nights. You’ll have the chance to capture great images in this charming city and its beautiful countryside. Every night, hone your techniques with group critiques and discussions after that day’s challenging photo assignments.

Drive to Siem Reap where you’ll explore the famous night markets for local souvenirs. Have dinner in the city and enjoy the different pace of life here in a busier part of Cambodia. See the Cambodian circus for an inspiring show of acrobatics performed by students from Phare Ponleu Selpak, an organization that supports disadvantaged youth through arts education

Wake early for a morning exploring Angkor Wat and the ancient Khmer Empire. See the intricate carvings of Angkor’s historical battle scenes, climb to the top of the highest tower to see the temples from a new perspective. Then travel to Bayon to see the huge, carved faces in rock, and make your way to the shady temple of Ta Prohm where massive trees have given this ruin a fairytale-like feel. After a day of ancient adventures, enjoy a final Khmer dinner and spend time browsing the night markets.

Hop on a short flight and spend the next three days in the vibrant city of Hanoi. Visit old colonial streets lined with various shops selling everything from Buddhas to bamboo. Walk around the charming Hoan Kiem Lake where the locals go to relax and drink the very strong Vietnamese “weasel” coffee. Visit Confucius’ Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum where the old leader of the communist party still lays in state. Explore the halls and rooms and learn about the history of the Vietnam War while touring the Hanoi Hilton­—the Vietnamese POW prison that held Americans during the Vietnam War, including Sen. John McCain. Enjoy the rambling streets, busy markets, and old world charm of this bustling city. Take time in the evenings for final photo critiques and discussion about preparing your journey’s portfolio.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

After some final group photos with our team, your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.