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Goshen College

First Day of School

January 11, 2016

The students all came out of the weekend with so much to share with each other. A common theme was how kind their families are, the  wonderful hospitality they have received thus far, and how they will quickly be needing to learn how to say, “I’m full.” Their hosts are feeding them well with delicious Khmer cuisine and other treats!

The students have lunch at one of several Royal University of Phnom Penh canteens. A delicious lunch for under $2!
The students have lunch at one of several Royal University of Phnom Penh canteens. A delicious lunch for under $2!

Today, we had our first day of Khmer class in the morning.  The students all arrived safely at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), and on time!  We were welcomed by Mr. Tuch Phara, who is the director of Khmer language instruction for foreign students. We then met our teachers and they gave us a tour of campus, including a great tour of the library, showing us where to park our bikes, and where to find a delicious and reasonably priced lunch between our morning and afternoon classes (at one of the school’s numerous canteens).

In the afternoon, we took tuk-tuks to the offices of “Youth for Peace” for a lecture on Cambodian cultures and people. After class, the students made their way back home to recover from a full day, and prepare for the next one. They have a journal assignment to think about and work on over the next week, reading assignments to complete, as well as continuing to connect with and practice Khmer with their families.

Today was a very typical class day. Most days the students will have 2 hours of language instruction in the morning at RUPP and a lecture or field trip in the afternoon at a different location. Want so see a quick Khmer lesson? Click here. The students have done so well and are adapting to their new surroundings with great adventurous attitudes and aplomb. Students have been blown away by the friendliness of their Cambodian families, teachers and other everyday people they interact with along the way.

Photo credits today to Brodie Nofziger, Berke Beidler and most of the Koop Liechtys.

On Sunday, students stopped by throughout the day. They made their way to the unit house (some more than once!) to touch base with Dan and Jill and share stories about their first night with their families. They are all doing well.
Sam, Tessa, Jill and Berke hanging out on the porch at the unit apartment on Sunday afternoon. There’s a great view of the city from there.
The view from the unit apartment. We will have a group party here on the night of Chinese New Years in February. We’re told the fireworks from the Chinese Embassy, one block in front of the apartment, are awesome.
Brodie gets a selfie on a scooter ride. Just don’t distract the driver!
Section one class picture with their professors Prum Sisaphantha (left) and Van Vy (right)
Section two class photo with Professor Vong Chorvy. Their other professor, Kep Sokunthearoth. is not pictured. Yes, the sun is very bright here!
Two Khmer professors give the students a campus tour. This is class section one.
The students will add their bikes to this sea of bikes at RUPP next Monday. They will get bikes on Saturday if they want them.
The campus tour
Another one of the very nice campus canteens.
A tour of the beautiful RUPP library, one of the biggest in Cambodia.
Just another example of the beauty we see all around us all day.
First day of class. The students are in two sections and did very well after a strong fall of Khmer training at GC. Sorry former Cambodia SSTers, yes that is a beautiful new classroom with air-conditioning..
Khmer class section two having fun with their professor.
The door at Youth for Peace where we had our afternoon lecture. All shoes were taken off before we entered the building.