Goals, Objectives, & Curriculum

Program Goal

To help study abroad participants understand

Cambodia’s cultural transformation as at it

opens up to the world after years of conflict, and

to participate in this process through

fieldwork in health and the arts.

Program Objectives

• Expose participants to Cambodian culture

• Provide the opportunity to define career objectives

• Foster cultural sensitivity

• Engage participants in critical thinking

Participant ObjectivesKnowledge

• Cambodian culture• History and politics• Cultural theories

Skills

• Intercultural communication• Research using local resources• Professional skills in area of interest

Attitudes

• Strive towards personal growth• Embrace continuous learning• Maintain positive outlooks

Awareness

• Think critically about identity• Understand cultural significance• Act as responsible and ethical global citizens

Curriculum

Orientation(weeks 1-3)

• Introduction to Khmer Language

• History, Culture and Politics

• Excursions

• Health & Safety

Main Coursework

(weeks 4-16)• NGO Fieldwork Placement

• PUC Course Relating to Fieldwork

• PUC Elective Courses

Final Presentations &

Closing Ceremonies

(week 17)

• 30-minute presentations

• Dinner with host families and Culture Partners

Excursions & Activities• Angkor Wat• Clinics & Hospitals• Floating village• Tonle Sap Lake• Speakers & Lectures • Landmine Museum• D’Angkor artisan workshops & silk farm• National Museum and Palace• Cambodian traditional healer’s association

• Night market• Cooking class• Local conferences• Dance ceremony• Cambodian Living Arts• Killing Fields• Wildlife Sanctuary• Optional trips…

Participant Blogs• Set up during week 1

• Weekly (checked and evaluated by RD)

• Connect theories and coursework to experiences and observations

Weekly Meetings• Dinners with RD (and other

staff)

• Share experiences

• Reflection and Processing

• Group dynamics

• Health & Safety De-brief

Culture Partners (CPs)• PUC students – orient to campus/courses

• Interest in culture/language exchange

• Assist in cultural adjustment

• Link to community

• Help with logistics

Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC)

• Vision: Peace, Social Justice and Empowerment through Education

• Est. 1997, operating since 2000

• Private institution with diverse faculty and academic offerings

• Founded by Cambodian expatriates from U.S. to contribute to development

•November 25-30

•Final Presentations

•“Thanksgiving” Dinner

•Program Wrap-up

Final Week