Unlock the Universe (Winter 2017) project booklet

Unlock the Universe’s PROJECT BOOKLET

CONTENT The Kingdom of Wonder Care for Cambodia Our Stories 01

The Kingdom of Wonder Cambodia, also known as “The Kingdom of Wonder�, is one of the countries located in southeast Asia.

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GEOGRAPHY Cambodia has a land area of 181,035 square kilometres in the southwestern part of the Indochina peninsula, about 20% of which is used for agriculture.

This country is bordered with Thailand, Lao and Vietnam.

Once the “Pearl of Asia”, Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia. The name can’t help but conjure up an image of the exotic. The glimmering spires of the Royal Palace, the fluttering saffron of the monks’ robes and the luscious location on the banks of the might Mekong river – his is the Asia many daydream about from afar.

CAPITAL CITIY, PHNOM PENH

Thanks to a surrounding coastline of white-sand beaches and sun-drenched islands, this is Cambodia’s most happening sun-sloth destination. This city is flanked by an almost interrupted string of beaches along its entire coastline and coastal mashlands.

SIHANOUKVILLE PROVINCE

Ratanakiri Prvince is a diverse region of outstanding natural beauty that provides a remote home for a mosaic of people – Jarai, Tompuon, Brau and Kreung minorities, plus Lao. Visitors usually swim in clear volcanic lakes, shower under waterfalls, or trek in the vast Virachey National Park.

RATANAKIRI PROVINCE 03

HISTORY The life-support system and gateway for the temples of Angkor, Siem Reap was always destined for great things. Visitors come to this historic site to see famous ancient temples.

SIEM REAP PROVINCE

The National Museum of Cambodia in Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history and is the country’s leading historical and archaeological museum.

NATIONAL MUSEUM

Also known as Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prision 21 by Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Tuol Sleng was just one of the least 150 execution centres established by Khmer Rouge.

S21 GENOCIDE MUSEUM

The good, the bad and the ugly is a simple way to sum up Cambodian history. Things were good in the early years, culminating the vast Angkor Empire, unrivalled in the region during four centuries of dominance. Then the bad set in, from the 13th century, as ascendant neighbours steadily chipped away in Cambodian territory. In the 20th century it turned downright ugly, as a brutal civil war culminated in the genocidal rule of Khmer Rouge (1975 to 1979), from which Cambodia is still recovering.

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Culture Cambodian culture and tradition have had a rich varied history dating back many centuries. Over the years, the people of Cambodia developed a set of unique tradition from syncretism of indigenous Buddhism and Hinduism.

Cambodians have been raised to respect their culture and are very traditional in their way of life.

Khmer is the official language in Cambodia. Cambodia won the Longest Alphabet from Guinness World Record as this language contains 74 alphabets.

KHMER LANGUAGE

“Robam Tep Apsara� is the title of a Khmer classical dance created by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in the mid-20th. The Apara is played by a woman, sewn into tight-fitting traditional dress, whose graceful, sinuous gestures are codified to narrate classical myths or religious stories.

APSARA DANCE

The world largest religious monument, Angkor Wat is the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the Mt Olympus of the Hindu faith and abode of ancient gods. This temple is the heart and soul of Cambodia and a source of fierce national pride.

ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE 05

PEOPLE Riel is the currency of Cambodia. One US dollar is equivalent to around 4,000 riels.

CURRENCY

Buddhism in Cambodia is currently a form of Theravada Buddhism. Buddhism has exited in Cambodia since at least the 5th century. Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state of religion since the 13th century (except during the Khmer Rouge period), and is currently estimated to be the faith of 95% of the population.

Khmer people is native to Cambodia, accounting for 97.6% of the country’s 15.9 million people. Youth in Cambodia (under age thirty) make up 68% of Cambodia’s population. Roughly 20% of the population resides in its cities, mostly in Phnom Penh, the capital.

RELEGION

Cambodia is a home to stacks of super cheap eats in the form of the many street food carts that dot the roads, especially at meal times. With an excess of weird and wonderful bites to be sampled.

STREET FOOD 06

Care for Cambodia The Cambodian economy is transforming rapidly; however, as a developing country, Cambodia still has many social issues to deal with.

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‘Unlock the Universe’ Project Unlock the Universe aims to provide equality in education access, cross cultural understanding and cultivate culture’s contribution to promote sustainable development to national children and international youth through community development and other related organizations 'development..

55% of children in the poorest quintile of the population attend school. Disparities increase at higher levels of education, with virtually no children from the poorest quintile enrolled beyond primary school.

The Khmer Rouge regime obliterated the education system in Cambodia as schools were destroyed and intellectuals killed. Cambodia was forced to build up from scratch, starting with creating a new education system. Today has seen a has steady improvement with over 10,000 schools built, but there is still much to be done. Disparities, such as educational relevance and employment and access to proper education, still exists.

RELEVANC E SDG 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.

SDG CONTRIBUTION

Exchange participants will bring impact to over 500 students in schools within and outside of Phnom Penh, By the end of the project, young Cambodians will have improved English speaking abilities, a better cross-cultural understanding and an increased belief in changing themselves and the world.

OUR IMPACT 08

JOB DESCRIPTION Exchange participants will complete the following: • • • • • •

Teaching English based on the school curriculum Prepare innovation class Weekly/bi-weekly report about teaching (what students have learn and what you need to improve) Showcase and share their culture to other exchange participants in Global Village Explore the beauty of Cambodia with other exchange participants Create a video showcasing their exchange experience by the end of the project

• Exchange Participant fee of $130 USD (Expense for accommodation only)

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*Global Village (GV) is an event for the Exchange Participants (EPs) to showcase and share their culture to others. GV may occur at the start or end of the exchange depending on the wave.

TIMELINE

EPs will attend an incoming preparation seminar and participate in Global Village. They will also explore Cambodia with other EPs on the weekend.

IPS, GV*, Exploring Cambodia

Standard No planned working activity/events for week EPs Week 2

Week 1

No planned activity/events for EPs. EPs can take this time to renew their visa if required.

Mid-project Exchange Participant Week Week 4 reflection

Standard working week Week 4

Report preparation Week 5

EPs will undergo a LEAD session held by AIESEC representatives. This is a space for the EP to reflect on their experience so far and the goals set at the start Week of their exchange.

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EPs will start to do the report and video to submit before finish their experience.

GV*, End of project Exchange Participant reflection

Week 6

EPs will end their journey through a LEAD session which allows them to reflect on their experience, goals and leadership development. They will also participate in Global Village.

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Requirements & Process Candidates will be contacted by an AIESEC in Cambodia representative within 24 hours of applying. They are expected to undergo a virtual interview and will be notified shortly after of the result.

Candidates from entity partners of AIESEC in Cambodia will be fast tracked to approval without interviews required.

Required: -Proficient English speaking ability

HARD SKILLS

Required: -Presentation skills

SOFT SKILLS

Preferred: -Basic computer skills -Presentation designing skills

Preferred: -Adaptibility skills -Critical thinking -Creativity

Required: -Open-minded -Solutions oriented -Willing to learn and actively participate -Live like a local

MINDSET 11

Our stories Over 1,300 stories have been created here in Cambodia.

What will yours be?

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Chen Ying, Taiwan “This experience was a turning point in my life.

I was shocked on the first day we visited the school as it was in the slums. I have never seen people live in that kind of situation. The students were so excited to see us. This made me wonder how lucky I am and what I can do to improve their English.

This project gave me a different pattern towards life and I miss every moment here in Cambodia.�

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Sooyoung, Korea “I had a amazing experience in Cambodia. While I stayed in here I could see Cambodia people's life and culture, even it is a few of part. And it brings me a inspiration and lesson to write something.

I can’t believe I had to leave, but I feel like I can do anything back in Korea.

Thank you for giving me a valuable chance.”

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Nazli, Turkey “This experience means to me a lot.

First of all being in Cambodia and attending this project is real challenge for me. I really appreciated my EP member, friends and my AIESEC manager and also Ace members.

It was really good that I know many people from all over the word and know a new culture which is different from mine and teaching English and beyond.�

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Marika, Japan “This experience in Cambodia is really unforgettable for me.

This is the first time to teach chidden actually, so I have to solve many problems. Especially, I always thinking about what is the best way to make children gain knowledge deeply.

Though it hard, I gradually got the hang of it. Spending a long time in Cambodia makes me discover a lot of things.�

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Contacts

Sreynik Seng VP iGV, PP sreynik.seng@aiesec.net Whatapp: (855) 86 355 853

Kimhort Kaing Project Manager kimhort.kaing@aiesec.net Whatapp: (855) 93 646 583

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