Missoula: Orientation

“I'm glad that I did this program because really I don't think anything else could have opened my eyes more. It allowed me to really push myself to see what I could do.”

“[The program] made me want to do bigger things and go to the extremes rather than just skating by, in whatever it may be.”

"I was really nervous about spending time with 19 other teenagers…but I found out that although we are all different, we all have a way to connect.”

“I appreciated creating relationships with the students from all over Montana. I have continued those relationships since returning home and believe some of those

relationships from Cambodia and Montana will last a lifetime.”

Phnom Penh: Culture, History, Politics

“I would strongly recommend this program to anybody interested in travel, other cultures, environment, and those who are willing to grow, change, and adapt to other

lifestyles and want to experience new things.”

“I am now inspired to do more traveling and hopefully make more friends around the world.”

“I made connections between Cambodian students as well and feel amazed when I think about how we are so alike yet our lives are so different.”

“I have so much more confidence in myself and in what I want to do in the future [and] I have a newfound love for international affairs.”

“Cambodia definitely broadened my horizons and opened my eyes to not only a new place but also new sides of myself. I felt myself change on this trip and learned a lot

about myself.”

"When I told people I was going to Cambodia, those who knew where it was, only knew about the genocide. So, I want to go back and tell them about the people."

“Multiple times throughout the program I persevered and grew from situations outside my comfort zone. The AYLP Cambodia program will continue to influence my choices

and ideals for many years to come. I know that I have not even begun to fully understand or appreciate the many facets and affects this once in a lifetime

opportunity will contribute to my character and future life choices.”

“In spite of the poverty and the challenging past of Cambodia, the people inspired me to be a better, more mature person and to not

take standard Western luxuries for granted.”

“I’m glad I got to participate in the program because it really proved to be both life changing and eye-opening.”

“I appreciate knowing that people are just people no matter where we go in the world.”

“To be able to make such connections with the Cambodians and getting to know them on such a more personal level than I would have been able to anytime in the future. It

really was a great program.”

"You can't appreciate places like this without experiencing them.”

“This program was one in a lifetime.”

"This is the best time I have ever had in my life.“

Battambang: Agriculture, Mining, Logging

“This program really made me want to change my lifestyle and what things I personally think are important and what is not. It was so amazing.”

“I grew a lot throughout my time in Cambodia. We were faced with many challenges and we had to work through then together. I most certainly became a better leader,

and more mature, and aware of the world.”

“The quality of learning through this trip was high, while we were experiencing new things and taking part in another culture we were also learning about our own

lifestyles.”

“We made many connections with environmental issues in both

Cambodia and Montana and were surprised to find many issues are parallel. Climate change, logging,

natural resource management and wildlife preservation are all topics we learn about in Montana and

are now able to connect with Cambodia.”

“I never thought I would form such a connection with some of the students on the trip and they were like my family away from family. Or even the host families we were with

made me feel so much more at home than I could have ever imagined. ”

"I'll remember this entire experience forever because it has been so wonderful. My life has been completely changed for the better because of this experience.“

“Going to Cambodia made me realize how much world there is outside Montana. It’s difficult to

explain how much I truly appreciated this entire program,

but for me, it was both an educational journey and a gift.”

“I would without a doubt recommend this program to my friends or other students at my

school.”

“I really appreciated the opportunity to get a better idea of who I am and the things I'm good at and the things I need to work on. The program has definitely shown me things I didn't know I was capable of. I learned to be far more confident and fluent in

talking to strangers and interacting with people in new situations. “

Siem Reap: Ancient Temples & Tonle Sap Floating Villages

“I can't express how thankful I am to be able to travel abroad and learn the things I did. It is something that can never ever be taught in a classroom.”

“I can't even begin to show my appreciation for what AYLP and the Department of State and everyone involved have done. I know this is incredibly cliche, but that doesn't make it any less true: This was truly a life changing experience. I am so grateful. I had such a good time and I learned so much about Cambodia and other cultures and even

myself.”

“I increased my global and cultural understanding, and now am able to share these experiences and knowledge gained with everyone in my community.”

“I learned so much about the country from the people and I formed relationships that I will treasure forever. The interactions with people strengthened my desire to travel to

other countries, learn about different issues first hand, and share my experiences.”

“This program allowed me to go just about as far away as I could go and it made me realize that I will be okay leaving home and being away from my family. It just made

me even more eager to go somewhere else as soon I returned.”

“I fell in love with Cambodia, and, as much as I would love to go

back, I would love even more to be able to help the country become a

better place in whatever way I can.”

“The amount of information and cultural differences we encountered over the course of those three weeks was enormous, and its an experience I'll certainly never forget. The situations we were involved in strengthened my global awareness and culture

tenfold, it was truly unbelievable.”

“Before leaving on the exchange, I had some preconceived notions on what I thought the country would be like after reading so much about it, but actually traveling there

and seeing everything up close and personal proved to be a much more valuable experience than just reading from a book. All the new knowledge and experiences from

the trip to Cambodia are absolutely invaluable.”

“I am glad I did this program because it has allowed me to see the world from a very different perspective, and it has opened my eyes to so many wonderful things; whether

they are positive or somewhat scary in terms of the challenge they pose to my generation. I am so glad I had this opportunity.”

“One of the greatest gifts that going to Cambodia gave me was a reassured feeling about my future...the program really helped me find what I’m passionate about.”

“The program really gave me a perspective on the world and its diversity, and made me realize how I can modify how I live to have less effect on the environment and

inspire others to do the same.”

“[…] It really opened my eyes up to how major of an issue climate

change is and how deep it stretches into every aspect of

global life. I had never thought about the connection between

development and mass pollution, but it is a major issue that my generation is going to have to

tackle.”

“I am pleased that I was a part of this program because it felt good to travel with a purpose and be a part of something bigger than a tourist experience.”

“At the end of the exchange, I was more sad to be leaving our group than I was happy to be home. I really made some lifelong friends on the trip—both American and

Cambodian, and the experiences that we all had together on the trip will always be some of my favorite.”

“I really feel as though I was immersed in the culture of Cambodia, and I am thankful for that.”

“I can't imagine a more engaging, educational, and rewarding

experience.”