Traveling to Cambodia with Global Connections Project is not just a trip. It’s a life changing experience that has taught me to build relationships and to appreciate the privileges that I have. I can never forget the feeling that the people of Cambodia has brought to me. Their joy, laughter’s, and their warm welcoming hearts is what I miss most. They all have such big hearts to help and provide for my peers and I even when they don’t have much. Learning how to communicate with them was a struggle due to the language barriers but I didn’t let that stop me from building my relationship. I am so thankful for this trip, for giving me the opportunity to experience a whole different lifestyle that I may never lived. Be open to new experience and challenge yourself to doing new things. Don’t let your fear of culture shock take control of you because you’ll never know what you are missing out on.
Traveling to Cambodia with Global Connections Project is not just a trip. It’s a life changing experience that has taught me to build relationships and to appreciate the privileges that I have. I can never forget the feeling that the people of Cambodia has brought to me. Their joy, laughter’s, and their warm welcoming hearts is what I miss most. They all have such big hearts to help and provide for my peers and I even when they don’t have much. Learning how to communicate with them was a struggle due to the language barriers but I didn’t let that stop me from building my relationship. I am so thankful for this trip, for giving me the opportunity to experience a whole different lifestyle that I may never lived. Be open to new experience and challenge yourself to doing new things. Don’t let your fear of culture shock take control of you because you’ll never know what you are missing out on.
During my undergraduate career at Augsburg, I have traveled and studied abroad with programs located in Thailand and El Salvador. I have to say that it wasn't until traveling to Cambodia with the Global Connections Project that I was really challenged to step outside of my comfort zone. Through the service-learning trip with Global Connections, I finally learned the importance and significance of "traveling with meaning". It is not about the temples, food, or famous tourist sites that you visit that make your trip worthwhile. These are the easy things to tell your family about when you go back home. It's the part where you can't really convey the true meaning of, that other people wouldn't be able to understand until they've finally experienced it themselves. It's the people you meet, the things you learn, and the emotions you feel in small moments that are the most memorable. I can never remember what I thought about or felt when I visited the famous Angkor Wat, but I do remember the happiness and excitement I had when I was given the privilege to teach at the school. This service-learning trip with Global Connections will challenge you in more ways than one, but it is up to you to let it.
My trip to Cambodia is a one that I cannot forget. It has impacted my life on many levels and seeing the impact of being of service to people ignites me to continue being of service. As I sit in class, my eyes stare into space as my mind sets into the setting of being in SingHa village. I remember the Cambodian heat, the dusty roads, the laughter flooding from the students, and the smiles and waves we received on the bike ride to school. Teaching the students English for 2 weeks was an enjoyable experience and I enjoyed building relationships with the students from the middle school and the Khmer Heart Center. Through Global Connections Project, I feel more informed as a student on the leaders that are called and that are needed in our future generations. The trip has shown me the importance of being of service to people and has opened my mind to not judge by what is seen on the outside. Global Connections is absolutely wonderful and I am truly thankful that I got the chance to Travel with Meaning!
Cambodia. There I thought I was going in to make an impact on their lives, yet they have made an even bigger impact on mine. The memories are still vivid in my head. I remember at the New Life Center, I piggy back a little girl when we took the kids on a walk. This girl walking with me had no shoes on. I communicated with her via hand motions and body language. This girl had beautiful eyes shining at me and shaking her head. I interpreted those eyes as “no, it’s fine, there is no need to carry me.” I insisted anyway due to the rough ground with twigs and weeds. This was a realization of what I can give to with the short amount of time we have spent together. Reflecting back to these moments, I realize how much this little girl has opened my eyes to our world, our environment, our communities. How much I was willing to give to others. Global Connections has given me the opportunity to learn!
My advices to the new travelers is quite simple... Set aside any presumptions, get to know the locals and enjoy being in the moment.
Through Global Connections Project, my heart is forever touched by the children at the New Life Center, students at the rural school, and every person we met along the way. I've learned so much about stewardship and global citizen. I've also discovered my sense of calling to serve and my commitment to international and domestic community projects. Much of my learning came from experiences outside of class lectures and I realized that I should never let SCHOOLING interfere with my EDUCATION.
Traveling to Cambodia through Global Connections Project was a life changing experience for me. Although it has been over a year since I was in this beautiful country, I will never forget the memories it created or how much I grew in such a short amount of time. When I saw how eager the children were to learn, it made me realize how much I take my own education for granted. When I saw how welcoming and compassionate the Cambodian residents were, I realized that here in the U.S. we often associate materialistic items with happiness, and do not take the time to enjoy the simple things we are fortunate enough to have. If you can realize that you are not here to "help" others, but instead keep an open mind and learn about a different style of living, then I strongly recommend traveling through the Global Connections Project.
Going to Cambodia was my first time leaving the United States. I did not know what to expect at all, especially because I knew close to nothing of Cambodia other than that the Angkor Wat was in it. This was the defining moment for me while I was in college. This trip truly showed me who I was as a human being, and as a global citizen. It showed me just how much I wanted to succeed so that one day I could give back to people who had less than I do, or to those that did not have the opportunities that I had. I highly recommend this trip to others because it will teach you what you cannot learn from a book, or in the classroom.
On our last day of teaching, a few of the teachers were surprised with bracelets as a “goodbye” gift from the students. With HIS perfect timing, I was able to witness this beautiful event at the right place. My lovely friend, Phoua Vang, was thoroughly surprised and moved by this gracious present from her students. To me, it was such a wonderful sight to witness and photograph. Thank you, Lord. 
My experience with GCP has been tremendous and I am forever thankful to have been a part of it. It has been a little over a year since I took part in the 2012 service trip, but it has taught me a lot about myself and my community. "Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people's souls." - by Melody Beattie. This quote specifically sums up what I took from the trip, and even after a year, I still find myself reflecting upon this quote. While my short time in Cambodia, I was fortunate enough to share hearty conversations and moments from the children I interacted with. Their genuine and kind hearts they shared, taught me the importance of opening your heart up to anyone and everyone. By allowing people in your heart, you are healing and touching people's soul as they are with you. My only recommendation for travelling on this service trip is to open your heart to all the possibilities and to listen in any way, shape, or form. You will learn something new each time.