Education and Community in Cambodia School Trips
Projects Abroad
Cambodia provides a rich cultural setting for schools wanting a programme that combines service, immersion, and student development. Through hands-on education and community projects, students contribute directly to improving local learning environments while building communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Seeing the real-world impact of their work reinforces key themes in global citizenship, social responsibility, and collaborative problem-solving.Beyond the project work, Cambodia's cultural and historical landscape expands learning well beyond the classroom. Visits to important cultural sites provide opportunities to deepen students' understanding of global history, from ancient to modern eras.
By living and working within a local community, students are encouraged to engage with new perspectives, strengthening empathy and intercultural understanding. For educators, the programme supports curriculum goals within a safe, structured environment that fosters confidence, independence, and personal growth.
Live and work alongside a Cambodian community as you take part in collaborative education and development initiatives. Your programme will blend meaningful project work with cultural discovery. You'll learn how to plan lessons, lead educational activities and work with children as well as strengthen your communication, teamwork, and community engagement skills while helping create a more stimulating place for children to learn. Support children's development by helping them improve their English, numeracy, and motor skills through reading sessions; teaching basic writing; number games; and flashcards.
Immerse yourself in Cambodia's culture and history through experiences that explore both its rich heritage and complex past. You'll take part in Khmer language lessons, visit the Royal Palace, meditate with monks, and spend time in lively local markets. The programme also includes a private screening of The Killing Fields and guided visits to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields and the S21 Genocide Museum, offering important insight into the Khmer Rouge regime.
But a trip to Cambodia is not complete without visiting the iconic Angkor temples! During the weekend enjoy a change of scenery as you travel to Siem Reap. There, you will explore the iconic Angkor temples, watch the inspiring PHARE circus show and visit their social enterprise, and stroll through vibrant markets at night.
Teacher Checklist
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Example Itineraries for our 2026 trips
Days 1 - 2
Land in Phnom Penh, where our local team will be waiting to welcome you. From here, you'll be transferred to your hotel to settle in and unwind after your journey before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.
After a relaxed morning, join a full induction session with our staff to go over your programme's schedule and objectives and learn what to expect from your time here. You'll also take part in a Khmer language lesson and cultural briefing to help you feel more confident navigating daily life and engaging respectfully with the local community.
You'll also have the chance to explore the local area, exchange money, and get a local sim card. Later, you'll complete your project induction and learn how to plan and lead educational activities, preparing you to begin working with the local children this week. The day ends with a welcome dinner and time to relax ahead of your first day at the school.
Days 3 - 4
In the classroom, help support children's development through reading, songs, and role-play; encourage creativity through arts and crafts; promote healthy routines by teaching hygiene practices like handwashing and teeth brushing; and create simple learning resources such as posters and flashcards.
Beyond the classroom, you'll help with practical improvements around the school. Your tasks will vary depending on the school's needs at the time of your trip but may include building playgrounds, handwashing stations, toilet blocks, vegetable gardens, paths, and sports facilities, as well as plastering, painting, or repairs. Each day includes lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the project in the afternoon.
In the evenings, explore Phnom Penh with a riverside night walking tour and a visit to the Independence Monument. You'll also have a private movie screening of The Killing Fields, providing important historical context on Cambodia's recent past.
Day 5
Take a break from your time at the school to gain a better understanding of Cambodia's recent history. You'll travel to Choeung Ek (the Killing Fields), where you will learn about the Khmer Rouge regime and the lasting impact of the genocide. After returning to the city centre, stop for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Russian Market, a great place to browse local stalls and pick up souvenirs.
Later, visit the S21 Genocide Museum, a powerful and educational experience that offers further insight into this important period of Cambodia's past. The day ends with dinner at a local food court and time to reflect as a group on all that you've learnt.
Day 6
Return to the school and continue supporting both education and renovation activities, building on the routines and relationships you've already established with the children and staff.
After lunch at a local restaurant, head back to the project for the afternoon session before enjoying a relaxed evening. Dinner will be at a restaurant, followed by time to rest and recharge ahead of the weekend excursion.
Day 7 - 9
Over the weekend, enjoy a change of scenery as you travel by bus to Siem Reap, stopping for lunch at a lakeside restaurant along the way. After checking into your hotel, unwind by the pool before heading out for dinner and a relaxed evening.
The next morning begins with a sunrise visit to the world-famous Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Cambodia's most iconic landmarks. You'll then spend the day exploring the Angkor temple complex, including Bayon - known for its carved stone faces - and Ta Prohm, famous for its jungle-covered ruins featured in the Lara Croft film. In the afternoon, you can visit additional temples such as Neak Pean or return to the hotel to relax.
In the evening, watch the acclaimed PHARE circus show and learn about their inspiring school and social enterprise before enjoying dinner nearby and browsing the night markets.
To finish the weekend, return to Phnom Penh by bus with another lakeside lunch stop en route.
Day 10 - 13
Return to the school and continue supporting both education and renovation activities, helping to create a brighter, more engaging learning environment for the children.
In the afternoons, discover Phnom Penh's cultural and spiritual highlights with guided visits to the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom, followed by a calm meditation experience with monks at Wat Langka.
As the programme comes to an end, take part in a Buddhist water blessing at a pagoda and enjoy time to browse local markets for last-minute souvenirs. You'll finish with a farewell dinner and karaoke party - a fun way to celebrate your time together and reflect on everything you've achieved as a group.
Day 14
It's time to say goodbye to Cambodia. Depending on your flight time, you may have a final chance to relax or enjoy a last walk around Phnom Penh before our local team transfers you to the airport for your journey home. You'll leave with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a real sense of everything you've achieved during your time in Cambodia.
Land in Phnom Penh, where our local team will be waiting to welcome you. From here, you'll be transferred to your hotel to settle in and unwind after your journey before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.
After a relaxed morning, join a full induction session with our staff to go over your programme's schedule and objectives and learn what to expect from your time here. You'll also take part in a Khmer language lesson and cultural briefing to help you feel more confident navigating daily life and engaging respectfully with the local community.
You'll also have the chance to explore the local area, exchange money, and get a local sim card. Later, you'll complete your project induction and learn how to plan and lead educational activities, preparing you to begin working with the local children this week. The day ends with a welcome dinner and time to relax ahead of your first day at the school.
Days 3 - 4
In the classroom, help support children's development through reading, songs, and role-play; encourage creativity through arts and crafts; promote healthy routines by teaching hygiene practices like handwashing and teeth brushing; and create simple learning resources such as posters and flashcards.
Beyond the classroom, you'll help with practical improvements around the school. Your tasks will vary depending on the school's needs at the time of your trip but may include building playgrounds, handwashing stations, toilet blocks, vegetable gardens, paths, and sports facilities, as well as plastering, painting, or repairs. Each day includes lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the project in the afternoon.
In the evenings, explore Phnom Penh with a riverside night walking tour and a visit to the Independence Monument. You'll also have a private movie screening of The Killing Fields, providing important historical context on Cambodia's recent past.
Day 5
Take a break from your time at the school to gain a better understanding of Cambodia's recent history. You'll travel to Choeung Ek (the Killing Fields), where you will learn about the Khmer Rouge regime and the lasting impact of the genocide. After returning to the city centre, stop for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Russian Market, a great place to browse local stalls and pick up souvenirs.
Later, visit the S21 Genocide Museum, a powerful and educational experience that offers further insight into this important period of Cambodia's past. The day ends with dinner at a local food court and time to reflect as a group on all that you've learnt.
Day 6
Return to the school and continue supporting both education and renovation activities, building on the routines and relationships you've already established with the children and staff.
After lunch at a local restaurant, head back to the project for the afternoon session before enjoying a relaxed evening. Dinner will be at a restaurant, followed by time to rest and recharge ahead of the weekend excursion.
Day 7 - 9
Over the weekend, enjoy a change of scenery as you travel by bus to Siem Reap, stopping for lunch at a lakeside restaurant along the way. After checking into your hotel, unwind by the pool before heading out for dinner and a relaxed evening.
The next morning begins with a sunrise visit to the world-famous Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Cambodia's most iconic landmarks. You'll then spend the day exploring the Angkor temple complex, including Bayon - known for its carved stone faces - and Ta Prohm, famous for its jungle-covered ruins featured in the Lara Croft film. In the afternoon, you can visit additional temples such as Neak Pean or return to the hotel to relax.
In the evening, watch the acclaimed PHARE circus show and learn about their inspiring school and social enterprise before enjoying dinner nearby and browsing the night markets.
To finish the weekend, return to Phnom Penh by bus with another lakeside lunch stop en route.
Day 10 - 13
Return to the school and continue supporting both education and renovation activities, helping to create a brighter, more engaging learning environment for the children.
In the afternoons, discover Phnom Penh's cultural and spiritual highlights with guided visits to the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom, followed by a calm meditation experience with monks at Wat Langka.
As the programme comes to an end, take part in a Buddhist water blessing at a pagoda and enjoy time to browse local markets for last-minute souvenirs. You'll finish with a farewell dinner and karaoke party - a fun way to celebrate your time together and reflect on everything you've achieved as a group.
Day 14
It's time to say goodbye to Cambodia. Depending on your flight time, you may have a final chance to relax or enjoy a last walk around Phnom Penh before our local team transfers you to the airport for your journey home. You'll leave with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a real sense of everything you've achieved during your time in Cambodia.
Which Curriculum Subjects do we cater for?
Geography
Bring your students to a new environment, with an entirely different culture and ecosystems. They will be able to develop their geographical knowledge with first hand experience rather than just with their textbooks.
Community Projects
This programme offers you and your student two projects directly supporting the local community.
- Working with children. Your students will engage with the schoolchildren by planning activities and teaching lessons for them.
- Renovation work. In addition to working with the children, your students will be able to improve the learning environment.
Activities
What size groups do we cater for?
All group sizes of 5 or more. We offer a free staff place with every 9 students.
Access for visitors with disabilities?
Disabled facilities can be offered on request.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Visitors with special educational needs can be catered for on request.
Anything else?
Projects Abroad holds the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge and operates in compliance with BS 8848 standards for overseas activities. For school leaders and governors, this means the programme meets recognised national benchmarks.
We provide comprehensive risk assessments, safeguarding policies, and approval-ready documentation for every trip, supporting SLT, governor, and district approval processes. The team that plans your trip is the team on the ground when you arrive.
By travelling with us, you also contribute positively to local economies, environmental protection, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Don't take our word for it; we're B Corporation Certified! We're committed to setting the new sustainability standard in school travel by offsetting 110% of carbon emissions associated with your in-destination programming.
Our Partnerships Team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
We provide comprehensive risk assessments, safeguarding policies, and approval-ready documentation for every trip, supporting SLT, governor, and district approval processes. The team that plans your trip is the team on the ground when you arrive.
By travelling with us, you also contribute positively to local economies, environmental protection, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Don't take our word for it; we're B Corporation Certified! We're committed to setting the new sustainability standard in school travel by offsetting 110% of carbon emissions associated with your in-destination programming.
Our Partnerships Team is happy to answer any queries and guide you through the process of booking the school trip of a lifetime!
Who are Projects Abroad?
Since 1992, Projects Abroad has helped young people step beyond the familiar and discover what they're truly capable of. As a global leader in educational travel, we've partnered with over 500 schools to deliver transformative school trips that help shape students' passions, careers, and futures.
We realise that each school has its own goals and interests, and the students have their own interests. We work with every school to develop a tailored itinerary that reflects their values and allows the students to make a connection with the community in which they serve.
We're proud of our dedicated in-country staff whose diverse skill sets, local knowledge and love of their community allow us to develop relevant, immersive and worthwhile schedules for school trips. These experiences give the students responsibility and teach them to see the world through a different lens.
The result is a trip that students remember long after they've left school, and one that reflects well on the school that made it possible!
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs LOtC Quality Badge Expedition Providers Association Tailor your trip Help promoting your trip Offset your trip carbon footprint
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