Tourists can enjoy traveling to Cambodia by land from neighboring Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

Access from Vietnam (through nine international border checkpoints)

Bavet (Cambodian side) and Mok Bai (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Bavet international border checkpoint is located in Svay Rieng Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Mok Bai international border checkpoint is located in Tay Ninh Province.

Tourists can reach Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available there. They can get access to Phnom Penh by National Road No 1. The distance between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh City is 230 kilometers. There are taxis at the border between two countries. The taxi fare to Phnom Penh City is approximately US$ 10 per person. On their journey, visitors can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the eastern Mekong area.

Kaam Samnor (Cambodian side) and Yin Soeung (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Kaam Samnor international border checkpoint is located between Kandal and Prey Veng Provinces, and on the Vietnamese side, the Yin Soeung international border checkpoint is located in Ang Giang Province. From Vietnam, tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Phnom Den (Cambodian side) and Tin Bienh (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Phnom Den international border checkpoint is located in Takeo Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Tin Bienh international border checkpoint is located in Ang Giang Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Trapaing Phlong (Cambodian side) and Xamat (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Trapaing Phlong international border checkpoint is located in Kampong Cham Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Xamat international border checkpoint is located in Tay Ninh Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Trapaing Srè (Cambodian side) and Bonue (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Trapaing Srè international border checkpoint is located in Kratie Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Bonue international border checkpoint is located in Binh Phuoc Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Oyadav (Cambodian side) and Lethanh (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Oyadav international border checkpoint is located in Rattanak Kiri Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Lethanh international border checkpoint is located in Gia Lai Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Banteay Chakrei (Cambodian side) and Dinh Ba (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Banteay Chakrei international border checkpoint is located in Prey Vèng Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Dinh Ba international border checkpoint is located in Dong Thap Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Preak Chak (Cambodian side) and Ha Tieng (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Preak Chak international border checkpoint is located in Kampot Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Ha Tieng international border checkpoint is located in Kien Giang Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Samrong (Cambodian side) and Mi Quy Tei (Vietnamese side) On the Cambodian side, the Samrong international border checkpoint is located in Svay Rieng Province, and on the Vietnamese side, the Mi Quy Tei international border checkpoint is located in Long An Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia from Vietnam through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Access from Laos

On the Cambodian side, the Trapaing Kreal international border checkpoint is located in Stung Trèng Province, and on the Lao side, the Norg Nokbiane international border checkpoint is located in Champasak Province. Cambodia can be accessed from Laos through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Access from Thailand (through six international border checkpoints)

Poipet (Cambodian side) and Ban Klong Leuk (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Poipet international border checkpoint is located in Banteay Meanchey Province, and on the Thai side, the Ban Klong Leuk international border checkpoint is located in Sakeo Province.

Through the gates, tourists can reach Siem Reap, Cambodia from Thailand to visit the Angkor complex. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available there. Its fee is US$ 20 for each tourist and is US$ 25 for each businessman. It takes about 5 hours from the border to the Siem Reap town by National Road No 6 by taxi. A taxi driver charges US$ 15 for each passenger.

Cham Yeam (Cambodian side) and Hat Lek (Thai side)Visitors can reach Cambodia from Trat Province, Thailand through the Cham Yeam international border checkpoint located in Koh Kong Province. From Koh Kong Province, they can continue traveling to Preah Sihanouk Province. It takes around 4 hours to reach Preah Sihanouk Province by speedboat. A one-way taxi fare between Koh Kong Province and Preah Sihanouk Province is US$15 and from there, tourists can proceed to the capital of Phnom Penh by National Road No 4. The distance between Preah Sihanouk Province and Phnom Penh Capital is 230 kilometers. It takes 3 hours and a half by taxi or by bus. The taxi fare is around US$ 10 per capita, and the bus fare is between US$ 3-4. Visas on arrival and e-visas are available at the border gates, and entry visas into Cambodia can also be granted at the Royal Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok or in other cities of Thailand.

O'smach (Cambodian side) and Chong Chorm (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Osmach international border checkpoint is located in Oddar Meanchey Province, and on the Thai side, the Chong Chorm international border checkpoint is located in Sorin Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Choam (Cambodian side) and Sangam (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Choam international border checkpoint is located in Oddar Meanchey Province, and on the Thai side, the Sangam international border checkpoint is located in Sysaket Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Prom (Cambodian side) and Ban Pakard (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Prom international border checkpoint is located in Pailin Province, and on the Thai side, the Ban Pakard international border checkpoint is located in Chanthaburi Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

Dong (Cambodian side) and Ban Lem (Thai side) On the Cambodian side, the Dong international border checkpoint is located in Battambang Province, and on the Thai side, the Ban Lem international border checkpoint is located in Chanthaburi Province. Tourists can get access to Cambodia through the gates. Visas on arrival are available there.

How to acces into Cambodia

1. BY AIR

Cambodia can be accessed through the Phnom Penh International Airport and the Siem Reap International Airport; both of which provide full services for passengers on international flights operated by many international airlines. Many international airlines are listed below:

International Airlines

Cambodia Angkor Air (K6):

Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh-          Phnom Penh, Siem Reap-Ho Chi Minh-Siem Reap, Phnom Penh-Siem Reap-Phnom Penh

Air Asia (AK):

Kuala Lumpur-Phnom Penh-Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok-Phnom Penh-Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur-Siem Reap-Kuala Lumpur

Asiana Airlines (OZ):

Incheon-Phnom Penh-Incheon, Incheon-Siem Reap-Incheon

Bangkok Airways (PG):

Bangkok-Phnom Penh- Bangkok, Bangkok-Siem Reap-Bangkok

China Airlines (CI):

Taipei-Phnom Penh-Taipei

China Eastern Airlines “China Yunnan Airlines + China Northwest Airlines” (MU):

Kunming-Siem Reap-Kunming, Yunnan-Siem Reap-Yunnan

China Southern Airlines (CZ):

Beijing-Phnom Penh-     Beijing, Guangzhou-Phnom Penh-Guangzhou

Dragon Air (KA):

Hong Kong-Phnom Penh-Hong Kong

EVA Air (BR):

Taipei-Phnom Penh-Taipei

Far Eastern Air Transport (EF):

TPE-PNH-TPE (for a cargo flight)

JetStar Asia (3K):

Singapore-Phnom Penh-Singapore, Singapore-Siem Reap-Singapore

Korean Air (KE):

Seoul-Phnom Penh-Seoul, Seoul-Siem Reap-Seoul

Lao Aviation (QV):

Vientiane-Siem Reap-Vientiane

Malaysia Airlines (MH):

Kuala Lumpur-Phnom Penh-       Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur-Siem Reap-Kuala Lumpur

Shanghai Airlines (FM):

Shanghai-Phnom Penh-                Shanghai

Siem Reap Airways International (FT):

Bangkok-Siem Reap-Bangkok

Silk Air (MI):

Singapore-Phnom Penh-Singapore, Singapore-Siem Reap-Singapore

Thai Air Asia (FD):

Bangkok-Phnom Penh-Bangkok

Thai Airways International (TG):

Bangkok-Phnom Penh- Bangkok

Vietnam Airlines (VN):

Hanoi-Phnom Penh-Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh-Phnom Penh-Ho Chi Minh, Vientiane-Phnom Penh-Vientiane, Hanoi-Siem Reap-Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh-Siem Reap-Ho Chi Minh

2. Airport Tax

International flights: Foreigners are required to pay US$25 each while a Khmer person has to pay US$18; this applies to both the Phnom Penh International Airport and the Siem Reap International Airport.

A child below the age of 12 has to pay only US$13 and an infant below the age of 2 is exempt from tax.

Domestic flights: Foreigners are required to pay US$6 each while a Khmer person has to pay US$5; this applies to both the Phnom Penh International Airport and the Siem Reap International Airport.

The attractive Activities of Sightseeing in Cambodia

A vacation is defined as leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure.   Vacation to some is to surrender oneself to total freedom and travel in search of pristine beaches in some exotic destinations.  Yet to others, a vacation is when you would want to explore new exotic territories or to adventure into something you had always wanted to do but didn't find the time to. Whatever your desires may be, recreational opportunities abound in Cambodia.

The pristine beaches of Cambodia are described to be amongst the best in the world and what other place is there where one can be mystified by the grandeur and charms of an ancient city such as the Angkor or be romanced by the culture of a populace that was once recognised as one of the most powerful in the continent of Asia.  Cambodia - A World of Wonder awaits you.

Here are some recommended activities to entertain you during your visit to Cambodia.  Click on them for details.

Cultural Tourism:

Visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, a heritage of humanity and world wonder

Explore other ancient Khmer temples such as those in Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Kandal, Takeo, etc

Tracing frescos and murals of the ancient temples.

Visit Buddhist pagodas and museums in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

Visit monuments in Phnom Penh, e.g. the Independence Monument

Watch kites flying in Phnom Penh; a tradition dating back many centuries.

Join and observe the Royal Ploughing Ceremony

Watch Buffalo Races during Pchum Ben Festival

Watch boat racing in Phnom Penh & Siem Reap during Water Festival

Participate in Khmer traditional games and dancing during festivals such as the Khmer New Year, etc

Visit the indigenous people of the rural areas.

Eco Tourism:

Visit floating villages of the Kampong Phluk Commune in Siem Reap Province

Bird-watching is a popular recreation at the Prèk Toal habitats in Siem Reap Province

Visit wildlife sanctuaries in the Provinces

Take boat rides on the Tonlé Sap Lake and along the mighty Mekong River

Watch fishing activities on the Tonlé Sap Lake and the mighty Mekong River

Kayak through the Mangroves in Koh Kong

Explore and take a hike through the jungles of the Angkor area

Rent a bicycle and cycle around the countryside of Siem Reap

Explore mountain caves/ caverns in Kampot Province

Trek on elephant back through the jungles of Mondul Kiri or Rattanak Kiri

Explore and relax on the Tonsay Island in Kèp City

Enjoy the pristine beaches of Rong Island in Sihanouk Ville

Visit the waterfalls in Kampot Province and Kampong Speu Province

Swimming and scuba-diving in Sihanouk Ville, Koh Kong Province, and Kèp City

Explore coral reefs at the bottom of the sea of Sihanouk Ville

Boat ride through the mangrove forest at the Ream National Park in Sihanouk Ville

Spot sea dolphins at the Ream National Park in Sihanouk Ville

Go sailing and paragliding in Sihanouk Ville

Island hopping; discover the many islands of Koh Kong Province

Hike to the Chambok Waterfalls at Kirirom National Park in Kampong Speu Province

Cruising down the river from the Andong Toek to the Village Chi Phat in the southern Mountain Range of the Cardamom

Trek the jungles of the Mountain Range of the Cardamom

Go Camping in the jungles of the Mountain Range of the Cardamom

Visit the Pong Roul Waterfall on the Srè Ambel River

Visit the Ramsar wetland in Stung Treng

Cruise down the Mekong River from Stung Treng to Kratie

Spot and observe the Mekong River dolphins at the Kampi resort in Kratie

Trek the Virachey National Park in Rattanak Kiri

Swim in the crystal clear waters of the Yeak Laom Lake, Rattanak Kiri

Visit the Bousra Waterfalls in Mondul Kiri

Visit the Srè Pok Wilderness Area in Mondul Kiri

Elephant riding in Rattanak Kiri and Mondul Kiri

Meet the indigenous people of Rattanak Kiri and Mondul Kiri provinces

Discover the trails of the mighty Mekong River.

When Night Falls

Watch cultural performances over dinner

Visit the Casinos in Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Pailin and Bavet

Visit the pubs, karaoke bars and night club

Take a night cruise up the mighty Mekong River

Go to the Night Markets in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap

How reach Koh Kong Province

Koh Kong is a quaint border province that has long had a reputation as a 'Wild West' frontier location. Situated at the southwestern tip of the country near the mouth of the Kah Bpow River, the city is only 10 kilometers from the Thai border. Koh Kong has a long coastline and a large forested interior that embraces part of the Cardamom Mountains and a section of Kirirom National Park. Its tourist attractions include a theme park, beaches, waterfalls and a rich mangrove forest.

Here are many offshore islands nearby Koh Kong, the most interesting of which is Koh Kong Khoa, a practically uninhabited jungle paradise with seven magnificent white sandy beaches. This island is only about a forty five minute water taxi ride from shore. Koh Kong has enjoyed quite a few tourism development projects that have turned the province into a great tour destination. The province is linked to Phnom Penh and Preah Sihanouk Province via Sre Ambel by National Route 4. This newly built road provides visitors yet another option to access the province by road. A drive on this road is highly recommend to those who love nature; the road winds through some of Cambodia's least developed and unspoiled regions - the Cardamom Mountains. Amidst thick forest, streams and charming waterfalls, the adventure rewards with scenic sites for stopovers and great photography.

Mangroves are spread along the coast from Kep to Koh Kong, and they cover an area of over 50,000 hectares in Koh Kong. Mangroves are specialized tropical trees that live on the edge where rainforests meet oceans. These ‘rainforests by the sea’ are rich breeding grounds for shrimps, prawns, crabs, shellfish, snails and fishes, especially the beautiful Mud skippers that seem to enjoy the surface more than being in water. They are also nesting sites for many shore birds, lizards, sea turtles, and many other exotic animal species.

What Transportation in Cambodia are best for visitors

The civil war severely damaged Cambodia's transport system, but with assistance and equipment from other countries Cambodia has been upgrading the main highways to international standards and most have been vastly improved since 2006. Most main roads are now paved. Cambodia has two rail lines, totaling about 612 kilometers (380 mi) of single, one meter gauge track. The lines run from the capital to Sihanoukville on the southern coast and from Phnom Penh to Sisophon (although trains often run only as far as Battambang). Currently only one passenger train per week operates, between Phnom Penh and Battambang. Besides the main interprovincial traffic artery connecting the capital Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville, resurfacing a former dirt road with concrete/asphalt and implementation of 5 major river crossings by means of bridges have now permanently connected Phnom Penh with Koh Kong. Hence there is now uninterrupted road access to neighboring Thailand and its vast road system.

The nation's extensive inland waterways were important historically in international trade. The Mekong and the Tonle Sap rivers, their numerous tributaries, and the Tonle Sap Lake provided routes of considerable length, including 3,700 kilometers (2,300 mi) navigable all year by craft drawing 0.6 meters (2 ft) and another 282 kilometers (175 mi) navigable to craft drawing 1.8 meters (6 ft). Cambodia has two major ports, Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and five minor ones. Phnom Penh, located at the junction of the Bassac, the Mekong, and the Tonle Sap rivers, is the only river port capable of receiving 8,000-ton ships during the wet season and 5,000-ton ships during the dry season. With increasing economic activity has come an increase in automobile and motorcycle use, though bicycles still predominate. As often in developing countries, an associated rise in traffic deaths and injuries is occurring. Cycle rickshaws are an additional option often used by visitors.

The country has four commercial airports. Phnom Penh International Airport (Pochentong) in Phnom Penh is the second largest in Cambodia. Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is the largest and serves the most international flights in and out of Cambodia. The other airports are in Sihanoukville and Battambang. Local time: 7 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (no summertime in Cambodia)

Major Industries:Clothing, fishing, footwear, rice milling, rubber, shipping, textiles, timber and tobacco. Major Trading Partners: Major trading partners include Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.

The Cambodian currency is the Riel which can fluctuate slightly with the US dollar. Riel denominations are 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000; 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100 and 50. Banknotes, which are printed in both Khmer and English, increase in size according to value and are in different colors. The value of the Riel is currently about 4200 per US dollar. Foreign currencies can be easily changed at airports, hotels or markets, but American dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia. Credit cards are only accepted in banks and main hotels. Credit cards can get cash from ATMs at the airports and some of the banks in the towns.

However, the US Dollar is commonly used. There is no need to change from USD to Riel.

Telephones, Faxes & Internet: International phone calls can be made quite easily from most hotels. Rates for calling out of the country are normally considerably higher than for calling in. In Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, phone cards are widely available, and cards can be purchased at many outlets. There are also several reasonably priced mobile phone systems.

Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia occupying a total area of 181,035 square kilometers (69,898 sq miles). It is bordered to the North by Thailand and Laos, to the East by Vietnam, to the South by Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand and to the west by the Gulf of Thailand and Thailand. Cambodia is divided into six major regions: The western and northwestern regions are mountainous covered with tropical forest, fruit trees and plenty of wildlife; the northwestern region is a plateau abounding with tropical forest, wildlife, waterfalls, diamonds and magic; the central region is a plain used for cultivating mainly rice, other grains and beans. For enjoying fish and mangrove, there's the western and southwestern coastal plain popular with tourists to who like to sunbathe on the sandy beaches and eat seafood. 

The western and northeastern valleys are suitable for the development of hydro-electric power; and the 2 peninsulas are suitable for tin mining, rubber cultivation and fishing. Total population is nearly 15 million. 90% are Khmer who are the aboriginals. The other 10% are composed of Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, and hill tribe groups such as Phnong, Kuoy, Stieng, Tamil. Chinese influence is very strong, particularly in the business sector.

Why the visitor need to know the general geographic of Cambodia

The capital city of Phnom Penh, which has an area of 290 square kilometers, is generally considered the major center of administration, commerce, communication, culture, economy, education, industry, policy and tourism. It is also home to legal immigrants from Australia, Burma, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA, Vietnam, etc. Phnom Penh is a lifeline of the Cambodian economy, as well as a tropical paradise for tourists and businesspeople. Phnom Penh's resident population is said to total over two million people.

Besides the capital city of Phnom Penh, there are 23 provinces in Cambodia including Siem Reap, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Chnang, Kampot, Koh Kong, Oddor Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Rattanakiri, Steng Treng, Kampong Speu, Kandal, Kratie, Pailin, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Kam Pong Thom, Kep Mondulkiri, Pursat, Sihanoukville and Takeo.

The average temperature is 27-28 degrees celsius. It varies from region to region, from 20-27 degrees during the wet season and from 28-35 during the dry season. The climate is comprised of two main seasons affected by the tropical monsoon -- the wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to April. The coolest period lasts from December to January. The monsoon season may carry some heavy rains but these quite often occur during the late afternoon and overnight in between August and October and are unlikely to spoil your enjoyment.

Theravada Buddhism is the official prevailing religion in Cambodia, and approximately 90% of the population are Buddhists. The country also has minority religions such as Islam, Hinduism and Christianity. Since Buddha's statues and images represent the Buddha, visitors are asked to behave respectfully to all statues and images. It is illegal to take any piece of sandstone out of the temple and also any Buddha statue out of Cambodia without the express permission of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. Khmer is the official language in Cambodia. English is very popular with Khmer people for communicating with foreigners in administrative, commercial, diplomatic, economic, and industrial and tourist affairs. The older people who were educated at the local comprehensive schools can speak French fluently. Khmer-English road and street signs are found nationwide.

The king is the Supreme Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and the country's prime minister effectively holds the position of commander-in-chief. The introduction of a revised command structure early in 2000 was a key to the reorganization of the RCAF. This saw the ministry of national defense form three subordinate general departments responsible for logistics and finance, materials and technical services, and defense services. The High Command Headquarters (HCHQ) was left unchanged, but the general staff was dismantled and the former will assume responsibility over three autonomous infantry divisions. A joint staff was also formed, responsible for inter-service co-ordination and staff management within HCHQ. The minister of National Defense is Tea Banh. Tea Banh has served as defense minister since 1979. The Secretaries of State for Defense are Chay Saing Yun and Por Bun Sreu.

Ke Kim Yan is the current commander of the RCAF. The Army Commander is Meas Sophea and the Army Chief of Staff is Chea Saran.

Wildlife of Cambodia: Cambodia has a wide variety of plants and animals. There are 212 mammal species, 536 bird species, 240 reptile species, 850 freshwater fish species (Tonle Sap Lake area), and 435 marine fish species.The country has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. Since 1970, Cambodia's primary rainforest cover fell dramatically from over 70 percent in 1970 to just 3.1 percent in 2007. In total, Cambodia lost 25,000 square kilometers (9,700 sq mi) of forest between 1990 and 2005—3,340 km2 (1,290 sq mi) of which was primary forest. As of 2007, less than 3,220 km2 (1,243 sq mi) of primary forest remain, with the result that the future sustainability of the forest reserves of Cambodia is under severe threat, with illegal loggers looking to generate revenue.

We are told the time is right for a holiday in Cambodia

The country is open to the West, but not too far open: the beaches remain unspoiled and warm, the natives Buddhist and friendly, the temples exotic and serene. There is, indeed, so much for the West to learn about the country deemed "The Kingdom of Wonder": it's no surprise tourists increasingly flock to Cambodia. Even Orange Is the New Blackinmates, albeit the privileged ones, pine to return to Cambodia's beaches after their release. And yet, no matter how many reasons exist for Westerners to travel there -- art, nature, food -- the nation's past asks difficult questions of the global citizen's present. The Kingdom of Wonder reveals itself to visitors in subtle yet magical ways, if you prepare yourself to take heed. Beyond the beaches and the delicious cuisine, deep in the shadows of Angkor Wat, hidden behind smiling faces, are the untold stories of a land full of awe. Brace yourself, my dear.

For Global Citizenship (GC) Program's 2015 annual intersession trip, we took twenty-three students to Cambodia. We chose Cambodia for numerous reasons: for the increasing exposure Westerners have to the country as a tourist destination, for its impressive history of the Khmer Empire and the construction of its temples, as well as for the more recent history of pain and torture during the Khmer Rouge genocide from 1975-1979. The longstanding partnership between GC and Cambodia Local Expert (CLE) -- an Local agency dedicated to building a brighter future for Cambodian Local Guide through providing support to them.

Within a two-week spent, the tourists would tour schools and museums, attend a Khmer Rouge tribunal session, meet with many local people from various mental-health-related to land mine issues, and engage with the culture in as deep and meaningful a way as the short but packed itinerary permitted. Of course, students would also swim in the Gulf of Thailand, meditate with monks, and, at the trip's conclusion, watch the sun set over Angkor Wat. They would experience Cambodia.

Still, in the context of a program like GC, questions arose quite naturally like towers on the Mekong. How does one tour responsibly? To what extent should Cambodia's past inform plans for travel in the present, which is to say: How ought one to balance the sanguinary with the sanguine? How does one witness, fairly, a horrific genocide in which an estimated 1.7 million people died? How, as higher education professionals, do we expose our students to the choices implicit in our global programming and make those decisions an object for critical reflection and dialogue? A trip to Cambodia expressly devoted to the cultivation of global citizenship must distinguish itself as such; it must diverge, sharply, from both traditional short-term study-abroad programming and international service missions. Right Guard will not help you here, indeed.

After all, there are so many distractions -- shopping, dining, exploring - -and it's difficult for educators to compete with all Cambodia has to offer travelers. And so, we decidedly planned our half-day visit to CLE with an eye toward reflection and analysis. A week and a half into the intersession trip, we divided the poeple into three different teams. Each group would visit a different CLE group with the three of us serving as facilitators. Neither did we inform the people in advance of the split nor did we explain the work that the other teams would be doing. We woke up in the morning. We divided in three. We entered tuk-tuks. We left.

Of course, to train the mind "to go visiting," in Hannah Arendt's sense of the cosmopolitan, is different from a trip to go visiting in person. The latter demands that team practice, physically, the skills that will be necessary for the former imaginative labor. And yet, both take work. Globalization necessitates that educators train a generation of globally aware citizens, but this awareness does not just happen. It must be modeled. It must be practiced. It must be exercised with, rather than against, difference, until it becomes habitual.

Traveling with twenty-three global citizens to Cambodia captured, in this sense, the root meaning of travel -- from the Old French, travaillier, "to put to torture, to torment" and then "to work"--and perhaps suggests that, in addition to relaxing and shopping, visitors to Cambodia should engage the tormenting work of exploring why they chose Cambodia, and what their presence in the country means to their personal growth as well as the growth of a nation. It may be the ideal time to travel to Cambodia on holiday, and you will be greeted with a warmth and hospitality unlike anywhere else in the world. Just remember: the Kingdom of Wonder has more to teach you than what you see on the surface. Explore. Respect. Question. And always look deeper, as awe and inspiration await hidden below.