Cambodia: Impact & Sustainability Journey

This educational tour of Phnom Penh offers students a rich exploration of Cambodia's culture, history, and resilience. The day begins at the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, followed by the National Museum to admire traditional Khmer architecture and art. Afterward, students enjoy lunch at Friends Kitchen, a social enterprise that provides vocational training and empowers marginalized youth - an inspiring example of sustainable business. In the afternoon, students visit the Documentation Center of Cambodia and engage with a history expert to understand the impact of the Khmer Rouge regime. They then explore Toul Sleng Genocide Museum - a former prison - and hear a survivor's personal story before visiting Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where they reflect on the atrocities and ongoing healing process. The tour ends with a sunset boat trip on the Mekong, offering a peaceful view of the city. This tour supports learning across technology, sustainability, and social impact. Students gain insights into sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and how social enterprises support local communities. They will reflect on historical trauma, ethical leadership, and the role of education and responsible tourism in rebuilding society and creating lasting positive change

Start your day at Impact Hub Phnom Penh with an inspiring entrepreneurship workshop where you'll discover Cambodia's dynamic startup and social enterprise scene. Hear from local innovators tackling real-world challenges, join group discussions to spark new ideas, and explore how entrepreneurship can drive sustainable growth in emerging economies. In the afternoon, visit Pour un Sourire d'Enfant (PSE), an NGO offering hands-on vocational training in Hotel & Tourism, Business, and Trade & Technology to empower disadvantaged youth. Meet representatives to learn about their business model, their impact on local communities, and the challenges they face in the Cambodian market. Throughout the day, you'll reflect on the role of vocational education in creating opportunity and resilience, while seeing the balance between social responsibility and business strategy. By the end, you'll gain deeper insight into the power of innovation for social impact and leave with a greater appreciation of sustainability and ethical leadership as you prepare to become responsible change-makers in your future careers.

Begin your day with an early departure from Phnom Penh, traveling to Kirirom National Park where nature and innovation come together at the Kirirom Institute of Technology (KIT). Founded in 2014 by Takeshi Izuka, KIT pioneers AI-era education, equipping students with hands-on, practical skills across Software Engineering, Tourism Management, and Planning & Design. During the morning, you'll take part in an interactive workshop with KIT faculty and students, exchanging ideas, playing cultural games, and building connections that foster cross-cultural understanding. Throughout this experience, you'll discover how KIT integrates technology and sustainability into its learning model to address real-world challenges. These activities highlight important learning outcomes for students interested in Technology, Sustainability & Social Impact - including the role of innovation in creating sustainable solutions, the impact of international collaboration on future leadership, and the value of applying technical skills for positive social and environmental change. After a rich morning of engagement and insight, continue your journey to the historic city of Siem Reap, equipped with new perspectives on responsible entrepreneurship and technology-driven progress.

Discover Cambodia's rich culture and history on this immersive exploration of Angkor Archaeological Park. Begin at South Gate, then explore the iconic Bayon Temple with its serene smiling faces, followed by mystical Ta Prohm where trees embrace the ancient stones. Continue to Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument, to admire its basreliefs and grand architecture. Later, hike up Phnom Bakheng for panoramic sunset views before returning to Siem Reap for the Phare Cambodian Circus, an NGO empowering disadvantaged youth through arts training and celebrating traditional folk stories with acrobatics, dance, and music. To promote teamwork and active cultural learning, students will also take part in a guided Photo Scavenger Hunt at Bayon Temple, encouraging collaboration and hands-on discovery. Throughout the day, students will gain valuable insights into the role of sustainable tourism in preserving cultural and natural heritage, recognize how social enterprises support local communities, and appreciate how interactive, experiential learning fosters teamwork, sustainability awareness, and a deeper commitment to positive social impact - preparing them to become responsible and socially conscious innovators of the future.

Begin with breakfast before traveling to Kampong Khleang, a floating village on Tonlé Sap Lake, where traditional stilt houses highlight local adaptation to seasonal change. Continue to Kok Sangke for an immersive, hands-on program focused on sustainability, cultural traditions, and community resilience. Visit a blacksmith's workshop, learn palm-leaf weaving and rice wine-making, and discover how a local agricultural enterprise supports women's leadership and sustainable livelihoods. Through informal interviews and asset mapping, students appreciate rural economies and reflect on the five UN Sustainable Development Goals - Peace, Partnership, Planet, Prosperity, and People. They also gain insight into resilience after hearing a landmine survivor's personal story. A tractor ride across the village to Tum Nub Dam, followed by a monk's blessing, local games, music, and dance, rounds out the day. Students will explore responsible tourism and rural innovation, recognize how grassroots initiatives promote social and environmental sustainability, and understand the links between tradition, education, and technology. This experience equips them to become socially conscious, resilient innovators who appreciate cultural diversity and can apply sustainability principles to real-world challenges

Today focused on Cambodia's higher education landscape and its role in sustainable development. Students first visited Angkor University, a multidisciplinary institution offering programs in engineering, public health, business, science, and more, showcasing how local academia supports innovation and capacity building. They then toured the National Polytechnic Institute of Angkor (NPIA), a public vocational center training youth in civil and electrical engineering, electronics, and other technical skills aligned with real-world industry needs. NPIA's hands-on programs and international partnerships highlight how technology and practical education can drive local progress. The day ended at Spoons Café & Restaurant, a social enterprise that empowers underprivileged youth through hospitality training. In a heartfelt discussion with local leaders in business, NGOs, and social enterprise, students learned about the power of resilience, lifelong learning, and social responsibility. This experience helps Technology, Sustainability & Social Impact students recognize the vital connections between education, community empowerment, and sustainable economic growth. It emphasizes the role of technical and entrepreneurial skills in tackling social challenges, fostering sustainable innovation, and creating lasting community impact — inspiring them to become future change-makers and responsible global citizens.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and some free time to reflect on your incredible journey before your transfer to the airport. This relaxed morning offers students a final chance to absorb their experiences, appreciate the connections they've made, and recognize the personal and academic growth they've gained. Throughout the trip, students have witnessed sustainable practices, cultural resilience, and the power of education and enterprise to make a difference -lessons they will take home and draw on long after they return.