Partnership for Youth: Cambodia Global Learning in Action. Travel Handbook 2017

Transcription

1 Partnership for Youth: Cambodia Global Learning in Action Travel Handbook

2 Welcome to the Partnership for Youth: Cambodia! Congratulations on taking advantage of the opportunity to travel to the Kingdom of Cambodia with the East-West Center s Partnership for Youth (P4Y): Cambodia Global Learning in Action program. The P4Y: Cambodia exchange will immerse you in an unparalleled crosscultural experience as you explore Cambodia s rich culture, complex history, and its vibrant society and engage with people in contrasting locales: Phnom Penh, Stung Treng, and Siem Reap. This handbook has been prepared to help you make the most of your time in Cambodia. We ask that you (and your parents/guardians in the case of our student participants) review this handbook carefully. It provides information that will facilitate your program participation and addresses common questions (about what to expect as well as what to pack, etc.). As you begin to prepare yourself for your travel abroad, we encourage you to contact EWC staff with any questions you may have. 2

3 Important Contacts Namji Steinemann, Director 1601 East-West Road Honolulu, HI Phone: Fax: Grant Minagawa, Program Assistant 1601 East-West Road Honolulu, HI Phone: Fax: Penny Higa, Program Officer 1601 East-West Road Honolulu, HI Phone: Fax: Partnership for Youth (P4Y) Project site: Somadevi Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap) Pro Sivatha Boulevard Mondul II Village, Sangkat Svaydangkum Siem Reap, Cambodia Phone: Sunway Hotel (Phnom Penh) 1, Street 92, Sangkat Wat Phnom Phnom Penh Cambodia Phone:

4 Preparing for Travel to Cambodia Passport and Important Travel Documents You will need a valid passport to travel to Cambodia and to return to the United States. Please ensure your passport is valid at least six months beyond the program end date (January 17, 2018). Carry your passport, travel documents, and money in your hand luggage or on your person, NEVER in checked-in luggage. Also: Make one copy of the photo page of your passport and carry it separately from your passport. To prevent the loss of passports while in Cambodia, we will collect student passports upon arrival and return it to you on the day of your departure. This is included in the Agreement to Release and Code of Conduct forms. Everyone should have e-tickets, but be sure to carry an extra copy of your ticket information and also leave a copy at home. Carefully safeguard the departure card that you fill out as you enter Cambodia - it must be presented when you leave the country. As you go through immigration, the immigration officer may staple the departure card to a page in your passport. If not, be sure to do it yourself so as to not lose it. Visa A travel visa is required to enter Cambodia. Each of you will need to obtain/purchase a Cambodian tourist visa on arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport. All that you will need is ONE recent passport-sized photo for the visa, and the visa fee ($30). Health and Travel Advisories Recommendations for vaccinations or boosters and other health issues concerning travel to Cambodia vary widely. Please discuss such matters with your healthcare professional. We also recommend consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website Discuss the CDC s recommendations on Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines for travelers to Cambodia with your doctor/medical provider. Please ensure that all routine vaccinations (measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheriatetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, as well as your yearly flu shot, are up-todate. Travel Insurance You are required to purchase travel insurance for medical, repatriation, and evacuation assistance. It is at your discretion which insurance plan to purchase, but many of our participants have purchased their travel insurance from International SOS Please submit a copy of your travel insurance via fax ( ) or (minagawg@eastwestcenter.org) by June 15,

5 Staying Healthy It is important to be healthy before traveling to Cambodia. The days can be long. It will be hot and muggy, and maybe even wet. Some participants may experience minor stomach upsets and respiratory infections due to the stress of travel and change in diet and climate. Please take note of the following health guidelines: Get plenty of rest before departure. There will not be opportunities for prolonged periods of rest once the travel study has begun. Ask your doctor for copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic name of drug) that you take regularly, so that an in-country doctor can refill them in an emergency. However, be sure to take along a sufficient quantity of medication to last the entire trip. Keep medication in original containers to avoid questions when going through customs, and pack them in your carry-on should your luggage be misplaced. If you are prone to upper respiratory infections, carry your own cough, cold, and sore throat remedies with you, as you may not find them in Cambodia. You may wish to pack Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, or Imodium. Pills travel better than liquids. Although it is a good idea to see your dentist to preclude dealing with unexpected problems, we do not recommend that you schedule extensive dental work right before departure. Insect/mosquito repellent and sunscreen are ESSENTIAL. Jet Lag Air travel, particularly overseas flights, can sometimes disrupt your internal rhythms. It may take time for you to reorient to a new day/night cycle. This website offers a few tips to help lessen the effects of jet lag: Baggage Please consult your air carrier s baggage policy for baggage weight and size limits. Please note that regardless of airline policy, for our program the baggage limit is one piece of check-in baggage per participant. In addition to your checked-in baggage, most air carriers also allow one carry-on and one personal item, for example, a small hand bag. For your carry-on, please bring a small backpack. More on what to wear/pack is found below. Carry-On items. Always carry a change of clothing and/or essentials, such as money, travel documents, prescriptions, etc., in your carry-on. Delays or loss of luggage is unlikely, but you should be prepared. Don t forget: there are Transportation Security Administration (TSA) restrictions on how much liquid and gel you can carry in your carry-on bags (and they must be in a quart-size clear sealable/ziploc plastic bag). So, please check the TSA regulations ( on what you can carry and how it must be carried. 5

6 Check-in bags. Check airline policies regarding the weight limit for the bag you will be checking in (50 lbs/23 kg on most international flights). Use a TSA- approved lock to secure your check-in bag during transit to and from Cambodia. This is an example of a TSA-approved lock. They can be purchased at most luggage stores. Please ensure you can carry your own bag. For ease in handling, your check-in bag should have wheels, or bring a collapsible luggage dolly since you will be responsible for carrying your own bags. What to Pack Rule number one: Pack light! Most participants take too much clothing. Since each person is limited to one suitcase and one carry-on, we suggest you pack a minimum of clothing and rely on laundry services or hand washing. (As hotel laundry services tend to be expensive, we will arrange to have laundry done at a reliable establishment outside the hotel. Therefore, we recommend that you bring an inexpensive laundry bag with your name written in permanent marker). Choose a practical, easy-to-pack wardrobe of mix-and-match washable clothing. Aim for a few complete outfits that you can mix/match for different occasions. Clothes made of natural fibers like cotton, Tencel, some polyesters and light knits travel well. Despite the heat in Cambodia, people stay covered with long sleeves although the clothes are loose fitting to keep them cool. Appropriateness and modesty, even in the hot and humid weather, appropriateness is the key, and Cambodians generally dress very modestly, covering shoulders and thighs. Although we are just visitors, we should try to be respectful of this and dress appropriately ourselves. Short shorts will not be appropriate dress at any time during your travel in Cambodia. However, long shorts close to or reaching your knees may be worn, although long pants and capris are preferable for girls. Tank-tops are not appropriate unless worn with a light shirt with sleeves. While formal clothing will not be necessary, do take one such outfit (dress or skirt/blouse for girls and slacks/collar shirt for boys) for those occasions where T- shirts and long shorts may not be appropriate. Keep in mind Cambodia s June/July temperature and humidity (see below). 6

7 Examples of Clothing Tops: Bottoms: Sample Basic Clothing for Boys Sample Basic Clothing for Girls 2-3 pairs of washable, comfortable slacks 2-3 comfortable skirts, slacks or long shorts or long shorts 1 dressier shirt 1 washable dress or outfit for more formal occasion 3-5 easy-care, comfortable shirts w/ 3-5 tops or blouses in washable easy-care collars and/or T-shirts (with no offensive fabrics and/or T-shirts (with no offensive language or images on them) language or images on them) Sleepwear Comfortable walking shoes/ runners; socks Flip flops/ slippers Personal toiletries and shaving kit (if required) Windbreaker and collapsible umbrella Swimwear e.g. board shorts; hat Small towel Average Weather Conditions in Cambodia Temperature Sleepwear Comfortable walking shoes/ runners; flip flops/ slippers; one pair of optional dressier sandals for women/girls (slip-ons with low heels are ideal) Feminine hygiene products (these are available in local stores; however, you may not find special brands, so plan accordingly) Windbreaker and collapsible umbrella Swimwear bikinis are OK for hotel pools but no Brazilian swimsuits please Small towel Relative Humidity Avg. Precipitation (mm) Wet Days (+.25mm) Month Degrees Degrees Celsius Fahrenheit Low High Low High June July

8 Electricity Electricity in Cambodia is usually 220 volts. Therefore, you will need to pack a converter plus an adapter if you re planning to bring along electric grooming tools. Note that our hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh already have a hair dryer in the room. Most laptop and tablet computers do not require a converter (although you should make certain of this), but you will need a power adapter see more below. Plugs/Outlets Used in Cambodia: Plug Type C Plug Type G Outlet Type C Outlet Type G Laptop and Tablet Computers Our hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh as well as many restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, so students are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet computer for journaling and communication with family and friends back home. However, the program will not be liable for any lost, stolen, or damaged computers. Cameras The best camera is one that you are comfortable using. This is not the time to experiment with a brand new camera. Check your camera before traveling to make sure it is in good working order. While batteries can be purchased overseas, some of the smaller, atypical size batteries may not be easily found. Consider taking along spare batteries or parts you might need. If you have a charger for your camera battery, please check if you will need a converter and/or an adapter. IN-COUNTRY Accommodations in Cambodia During your travel, hotel accommodations will be double occupancy. Please do not change rooms/roommates. In Phnom Penh, we will be staying at Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh, a 4-star property located within the heart of Phnom Penh and right across the street from the U.S. Embassy. See hotel information at In Siem Reap, we will be staying at the Somadevi Angkor Hotel & Spa, also a 4-star establishment, conveniently located in the heart of Siem Reap Town and within walking distance to local markets and shop, restaurants, and less than 20 minutes from Angkor Wat. See hotel information at 8

9 Homestay For our one-week village stay, we will be in Stung Treng province in homestays with local families (2-3 participants per family). Besides enthusiasm, patience, and kindness (for one another and for local villagers), we recommend that you bring the following items for the village stay: Flashlight Running shoes Long sleeved shirt and long trousers Personal hygiene kit (soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, small towel, etc.) Small backpack (not too heavy as you will carry your daily items and drinking water in this backpack) Mosquito repellent and sunscreen Light jacket (in case temperatures at night drop) Hat Meals and Drinking Water Two meals per day in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and three meals per day during our seven-day village homestay will be provided for you during the program. For dining out on your own, we will have suggestions for selecting appropriate and affordably priced restaurants. Do not get your meals at roadside vendors as the food is less likely to have been prepared in a hygienic manner and you could become ill. Water from faucets is never safe to drink in Cambodia even in top-end hotels, including our hotels in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Only drink water or beverages from sealed bottles and cans. You should even use bottled water for brushing your teeth. Our hotels provide complimentary bottled water; however, you are likely to find brandname water, such as Evian, that are for sale in the room. So, please make sure that you are using bottled water that is clearly marked as complimentary. During homestay, your families will provide you with bottled water or boiled water that is safe to drink. Water served in restaurants attached to our hotels is safe to drink. Outside of our hotels/topend hotels and restaurants, drink only beverages from sealed bottles and cans and without ice. Bottled water and canned sodas are available everywhere; however, counterfeit soda products are a problem, so make sure that you re buying the genuine product, with an unbroken seal. Typographical errors on labels are usually an indicator of a non-genuine product and can make you sick. 9

10 Money The national currency in Cambodia is the Riel, but you can make all your purchases using US dollars, though you cannot use any coins, and change may be given in Riel. We recommend that you carry newer looking, clean dollar bills. Other things to consider: Traveler s checks. Most businesses, even some banks and all hotels will not accept or cash traveler s checks, so please do not bring them. Credit cards. Credit cards are accepted in all major hotels and some stores and restaurants that cater to tourists. If you plan to use a credit card, be sure to notify your credit card company before your trip. Note that purchases may incur foreign transaction fees. ATMs. International ATMs displaying Cirrus, Plus, MasterCard, Visa, and such brand marks are widely available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The money dispensed is US$, and the average ATM usage fee is $5.00 per transaction. Some US banks may charge an additional fee, so please check with your bank. You may wish to leave your money and other valuables in the hotel room safe. However, it is your responsibility to claim these items before you check out. Alternatively, you may leave any valuables locked in your suitcase. Goods and services in Cambodia are relatively inexpensive compared to the U.S. For example, you can eat for as little $3~$5 even in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap; hiring a tuk-tuk to get around will cost around $2~$3 per trip for up to four people; and you will be able to buy T-shirts and other souvenir items for $5~$10. Telephone Access Participants with international cell phones, or service that includes international calling, may use their own cell phones in Cambodia. However, international roaming charges can be quite expensive, and costs vary from carrier to carrier. Check with your carrier to see if you can use your U.S.-based cell phone in Cambodia (and if Cambodia is included in your international service plan), how much roaming charges will be, and if there are any other fees. If you would like to rent a phone to use in Cambodia, it will cost $40 which includes the phone, sim card, and registration. As we will need to pre-order them, please let us know if you would like to order one by June 15. Also let us know what dollar amount phone calling card you would like to purchase (we recommend $10). It is not advisable for you to use hotel phones to call home, as the hotel surcharge for international calls is prohibitive. You will not have access to a telephone during our homestay, but communication methods are in place in case of an emergency. Calling to/from Cambodia Calling Cambodia from the U.S. Dial city/province code + phone number Calling the U.S. from Cambodia Dial area code + phone number 10

11 U.S. Communities Cambodia Time Conversion Hawaii Standard Time Central Standard Time Eastern Standard Time Cambodia +1 day 12:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. 12 midnight. 12 noon 12:00 a.m. 5:00 a.m. 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:00 midnight Internet Access Free Wi-Fi will be available in our hotels (though in the hotel lobby) in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Some restaurants or cafes will also have free Wi-Fi, but we will not have access to the Internet/Wi-Fi during the village homestay. Mail While letters/postcards can be sent to participants, as we are only staying in each location for one week it may not arrive in time. Group Roles and Documenting the Experience Every member of the group will have a responsibility for a part of the trip. However, you are traveling under the auspices of the East-West Center and will need to act as one cohesive group helping and watching out for each other. It is this cooperative spirit that will make for a most rewarding personal and professional experience. Group Journal. Each participant in the group will be responsible for contributing/sharing written reflections of their program experiences. We will also keep a meeting log, and every person will have a turn at being the recorder of the day. This log will record a summary of the meeting/activity as well as names and addresses of people we meet. Upon return, the group journal/log will be turned into a published piece with photos and distributed to the group as a reminder of the trip. Personal Journal. It is strongly recommended that you also keep a personal journal of the experience throughout the trip. Personal recollections of the travel seminar will be enhanced if they are written down when they are fresh in your mind. 11

12 Checklists Departure Checklist Before your departure, please be sure that you have the following items and have completed these tasks: Passport (that does not expire at least 6 months beyond travel dates) Scanned copy of passport left with parents/guardians that can be electronically sent if needed Airline ticket information (with scanned copy left with parents/guardians) Scanned copy of credit/debit card left with parents/guardians that can be electronically sent if needed ATM card-be sure that card will not expire near travel dates. Check with bank on international withdrawal fees and inform your bank you will be travelling to Cambodia and the dates of travel Cash P4Y:Cambodia program contact information (leave a copy with parents/guardians) Baggage (with a durable name tag and adhering to airline weight requirements) Carry-on and checked-in bags are packed with essentials from Packing Checklist below Packing Checklist Carry-on packing list: Passport Contact information for P4Y Cambodia Program Phone numbers for lost or stolen credit card and/or debit card Cash, Debit and/or credit cards Sunglasses Prescription medications for the entire stay in original containers with doctor s prescription Travel size toiletries, feminine supplies, etc. in a quart size Ziploc bag Any necessary valuables One extra pair of clothes (in case of luggage being lost or delayed Entertainment for the flight book, music, a notebook and pen, etc. Laptop or tablet computer and charger Camera, memory cards and batteries 12

13 Check-in Baggage Packing List: Additional Medications & toiletries Multi-vitamin or supplements Basic non-prescription medicine in original containers (Pain-relief, allergy medicine, etc.) Sunscreen (at least SPF 30+) Personal insect/ mosquito repellent Any special toiletries Other International adapter and converter Travel-size flashlight Travel alarm clock Personal journal (highly recommended) Other Suggestions: Small wash cloth or moisture-wicking handkerchief to wipe off sweat during outdoor activities Pictures of your family, friends and school life to share (culturally appropriate pictures only please) Ziploc bags Earplugs (if you re a light sleeper) Money pouch Extra set of contact lenses/glasses and prescription Contact lens solution (if needed) What NOT to pack: Too many clothes Clothes needing special care Inappropriate clothing: do not wear clothing with offensive images or slogans, see-through clothing, short shorts/ skirts, clothes that expose thighs, midriffs, or underwear (for example, sagging pants ) Valuables that are not necessities Personal cell phone (unless it is Wi-Fi enabled and/or you have an international cell phone, or cell phone with international service plan) Any bag that you are unable to roll/carry on your own; it will handicap you and the group 13

14 Cambodia Facts & Statistics (Sources: CIA: The World Factbook, USAID, BBC Cambodia Country Profile, and UNCDF Report) Country Name Kingdom of Cambodia (Cambodia for short, or Kampuchea in Khmer, the official language) Geography Total Area: Approx. 69,900 sq. miles (181,035 sq. km.). This is slightly smaller than the State of Oklahoma Location: Southeast Asia; bordered by Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and the Gulf of Thailand Population (2015 estimate): 15,708,756 with more than 51% being less than 25 years old Capital: Phnom Penh (2015 population estimate: million) Largest (freshwater) lake: Tonle Sap Major waterway: Mekong River Mountain ranges: Cardamom, Dangrek Climate: Tropical, with two seasons, Rainy (May-October) and Dry (October-May) Culture Ethnicity: Khmer (90%); Vietnamese (5%); Chinese (1%); and others, including Cham Muslim and minority hill people (4%) Religions: Theravada Buddhism (96%); Islam (2%); and others, including Christianity, animism, and atheism (3%) Languages: Khmer (95%); English, Vietnamese, Chinese, and some French National symbol: Angkor Wat temple Economy Cambodia is a land-rich country with a young, growing population that is transitioning from rural to urban. Although Cambodia enjoys a strategic geographic position at the center of the dynamic economy of broader Southeast Asia, and its strong GDP in the recent decade has lifted many Cambodians out of poverty, the country is considered one of the poorest countries in Asia. Moreover, its long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, marred by corruption, which is pervasive and deeply rooted, and growing disparities and inequalities in terms of access to services (such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and utilities) that are increasingly characterized by a marked rural-urban divide. More than 50% of the government budget comes from donor assistance from foreign governments and other foreign entities, with countries like China, South Korea, and Singapore having a prominent presence. Although agriculture is still the backbone of Cambodia s rural economy, its role is slowly diminishing. Most widely grown agricultural products are rice and rubber. Export commodities are clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, and tobacco, and since 2004, the garment industry (along with construction and tourism) has driven Cambodia's growth. Tourism also continues to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals reaching over 4.77 million visitors in

15 Health and Education Life expectancy at birth: 64 years Use improved drinking water sources: 75.5% (100% urban and 69.1% rural) in 2015 Use of improved sanitation facilities: 42.4% (88% urban and 30.5% rural) in 2015 Educational structure: 6 years of primary school, 3 years of lower secondary, and 3 years of upper secondary, with nine years of universal basic education Primary school enrollment: 96% in 2015 Lower secondary school enrollment: 34% in 2015 Upper secondary school enrollment: 21% in 2015 Tertiary enrollment: 14% in 2015 Brief Political History Within the span of one life-time, Cambodia has been subjected to almost every major political system: colonialism (in 1863, Cambodia became a French protectorate; during World War II, it was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1945; and it gained its independence from France in 1953); constitutional monarchy; republicanism; socialism; and, in recent years, multiparty democracy under a constitutional monarchy. This extraordinary history is recorded in different generations of Cambodians. Although the country has suffered from a long period of internal conflict from the early 1970s that ended only in late 1990s, the most widely discussed period is the Khmer Rouge era ( ), when the country (then a communist government known as Democratic Kampuchea) was led by Pol Pot (born Saloth Sar). Those under 40 years of age have no real memory of this period, although nearly all Cambodians, young and old, have embraced the stories of Khmer Rouge atrocities as their own. The so-called the Khmer Rouge survivors are in their 40s and older, while those in their 60s grew up in what many (rightly or wrongly) refer to as the golden era of post-independence. There are not too many older Cambodians who still remember the French colonial days. The years from 1979 to 1989 were a time of socialist influence from Vietnam (which invaded or liberated Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge rule with its ten-year occupation beginning in January 1979). Many government officials, teachers, engineers, and other young professionals were sent to study in Vietnam and other socialist countries Russia, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Cuba, etc. It was also a period of prolonged conflict between internal warring factions, with a fragile coalition of non- communists loyal to Norodom Sihanouk (King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 to 2004, and several times Head of State during the period between 1955 and 1970), the Khmer People s National Liberation Front, and communist Khmer Rouge fighting the Vietnambacked government led by Hun Sen. (A former Khmer Rouge who fled to Vietnam in 1978 and returned as minister of foreign affairs when Vietnam installed a new government in Cambodia in 1979, Hun Sen became Prime Minister in 1985 at the age of 33 and has ruled the country since.) What made the conflict so intractable was the involvement of many regional and international players: Vietnam supported Hun Sen, the member nations of ASEAN supported his opponents, China supported the Khmer Rouge and Sihanouk, then Soviet Union supported Hun Sen, and the United States supported the two non-communist groups fighting Hun Sen s government. 15

16 In 1991, the United Nations brokered The Agreements on a Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict (often referred to as the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements) to end the conflict, and in 1993, the UN sponsored elections in which the FUNCINPEC party headed by Prince Norodom Ranariddh (son of King Sihanouk) emerged as the winner. Hun Sen refused to cede power but agreed to a coalition government with Prince Ranariddh as first prime minister and himself as second prime minister. However, in 1997, Hun Sen overthrew Ranariddh in a bloody military coup, with the international community just watching on the sideline. Then, in July 1998, in an election deemed severely flawed by a climate of violence and intimidation, he was elected Prime Minister. Elections in 2003, 2008, and 2013, though still far from perfect, were less violent, and Hun Sen and his Cambodian People s Party (CPP) have emerged victorious in each of these elections. The P4Y group that traveled to Cambodia in 2013 got to see some campaign activities Cambodian style (with party faithful in the thousands joining processions of trucks and motorbikes rumbling through city streets and markets as well as heading out to rural provinces to hand out bags of rice, fish sauce, sarongs, and other such daily necessities to sway would-be voters). While the 2013 election saw the fourth victory of the Cambodian People's Party, the opposition denied the results and accused the ruling party of poll fraud. The disputed election results led to the outbreak of widespread anti-government protests. The next Cambodian general elections are due to be held in July The incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen is eligible to seek a fifth term in office. 16