Erasmus Traineeship experience

I have just returned back home after spending eight months in The Netherlands, where I completed my Traineeship Erasmus programme. However, last two months of my traineeship I was volunteered as an English teacher in Cambodia. My decision to go to Cambodia was based on my desire to do something worth wile in recognition of my privileged life and to broaden my horizons by experiencing a totally different way of life. What I gained from the experience was a lot more than I could ever have predicted.

Working as a volunteer in Cambodia
My job at the New Bridge for Cambodia organization involved teaching English at the three different schools located in the town of Siem Reap. The children spoke very little English but they were all so keen to learn and I was surprised how excited they are coming to school every day, including Saturdays. The students are used to learn by repetition and recitation, so games activities and craft sessions are very well received. Besides teaching English I have done a dental hygienic project which taught children how to brush their teeth. This was for most of them something they did for the first time in their lives. By fundraising I could provide food and school supplies to many children, it was such an emotional moment seeing these little ones being so grateful just for a bag of rice.
What really amazed me, where the beautiful people. From Cambodia´s history and the genocide, the people have clearly gone through a large amount of pain and trauma. However, everyone there seems so wise and content with their lives. Cambodian´s are very friendly and I feel so lucky to have been able to spend time in their country, meeting and doing what I could to help some of their people. This has been a unique opportunity to see into the lives of people who have almost nothing by our Western standards, yet they are generous, kind and happy.

Lasting memories
I can´t really put into words what life changing experience my time in Cambodia was. I can´t wait to return to the country again something that I will for certain be doing, because I´ve been working on my own project by supporting English schooling to children in need at one of the Cambodian countryside called Samrong. The Bamboograss school is opened since beginning of March. There is still a long journey ahead to achieve proper education and give a better future for all those children, who can attend at Bamboograss, which is the only school and some of the kids have to walk two hours by them self to learn there.
The word Aw Kun means Thank you, and I heard it often from the locals thanking me for my volunteer work, but to be honest I want to say Aw Kun to Cambodia for such an incredible experience.