“I was able to take advantage of unparalleled research, evaluation, and data collection experience that let to my research group discovering incredibly positive effects of CFC’s Student Council Program that we were able to share with people from all over the world at the CIES Conference this March 2015. My experience with CFC connected real faces, feelings, and relationships that personified the fight for substantive education in places that need it most around the globe. It was at those schools that I learned that you can connect with and care about others even though you’ve just met them, and despite the fact that you don’t speak the same language.”

Lauren Jacobson, M.Ed., Globalization and Education Change, 2015 

“The trip to Cambodia exceeded my expectations in multiple ways, particularly regarding the degree of interaction between Cambodian educators and our student research group, as well as the level of exposure to local educational practices. Every step of the project my group was entrusted with was challenging and rewarding, from conducting focus group interviews in the field to analyzing the data using statistical software and reporting on the recommendations to the stakeholders upon our return to the USA. As a result, I was able to significantly improve my analytical skills, which are essential at my present position of a Speech Data Evaluator at Google. Additionally, the trip encouraged me to reconsider my approach to analyzing issues of international development, which I am engaged in as a volunteer for several United Nations offices. Observing the impact of decisions made by policymakers outside of the area on the actual communities made me consider a much wider range of factors, probable developments and risks when making judgements on a possible course of action. This realization is essential for any professional in the field of CIE. The research visit to Cambodia made the concepts in the education and development textbooks and the advice of my professors appear as tangible as ever, which gave me even more motivation to gain more skills and apply them in the field throughout my career. I am thankful for this unique experience that reinforced my sense of respect for diversity and responsibility.

Viktoriia Brezheniuk, M.A., Comparative and International Education, 2015

“Throughout my course of study in the M. Ed. program, I worked on multiple projects for the CFC-LU partnership by helping my classmates compile research and write the reports. However, finally being on the ground to conduct research in person was an incredibly meaningful opportunity for me. It put a personal face on all of the issues and ideas that had previously been theoretical. By visiting the schools, it was easy to see the evidence of this partnership through the programs and resources in place at CFC campuses, and every conversation seemed to lead to new possibilities for future cooperation. Great things are happening, and I am proud to have had even a tiny role in such meaningful work. Hands-on experience with research as well as program development and evaluation are valuable additions to my professional experience both in the future and in my current job in international education. As a high school psychology teacher, I regularly discuss with my students how to create, implement, and evaluate research. Describing my own experience in Siem Reap helped my students understand how academic opportunities and global organizations can connect to create positive change. It is a lesson I was happy to teach them, and l am grateful I had the opportunity to experience it for myself.”

Andrea Plakmeyer, M.Ed., Globalization and Education Change, 2015

“As a Lehigh University doctoral student interested in international policy implications of teacher quality reform efforts, I was impressed with CFC’s commitment to teacher training as a primary means of improving education for Cambodian children. As a school principal, most of my experiences have been U.S.-based, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I visited my first CFC school. Despite some of the obvious differences one might expect, when I sent photos back to my elementary school students, they were surprised to see so many similarities. While they focused on the bright and colorful classrooms, computer labs, and recess yards, the most striking similarity for me was the overwhelming belief of parents, teachers, and students that education held the key to improving the lives of their nation’s children. Without exception, my Cambodian colleagues, both teachers and administrators, were committed and dedicated to providing quality teaching and learning with the goal of building a brighter future for Cambodia. I was happy to learn alongside them, and with CFC’s continued support, I am confident that they will continue their tremendous efforts to ensure that all children under their care will have the chance to live happy and productive lives. The opportunity that Lehigh students have to support—and learn from—Caring for Cambodia has resulted in a unique and mutually beneficial partnership, one in which I am very proud to participate.”

Joe Brereton, Ph.D., Comparative and International Education

“Dr. Eng’s course was such a great experience because it provided us the opportunity to engage in practical research that was not only informative, but meaningful as well. As students, we were learning not only the whole evaluation process but also performing a service for CFC that gave our work a real-world perspective and meaning outside of typical academic coursework. The evaluation project also opened up new academic and professional opportunities for me. I was part of a group that evaluated gender equity and the female advisor program at CFC schools, and after completion of the project, our group was given the opportunity to create a poster based on our work. The poster was submitted and accepted for presentation at the 2015 American Evaluation Association annual conference. This unique partnership has provided me with practical experiences and opportunities that I don’t think would have been possible had I not been a Lehigh student.”

Ellen Liebenow, M.Ed., Globalization and Education Change, 2016

“I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to Cambodia through the CFC-Lehigh University partnership on three separate occasions over the past two years. I’m not sure there are words to describe how much my experiences with CFC have affected me both professionally and personally. The impact it has had on me professionally is perhaps the easiest to grasp. Having the opportunity to conduct research and intern with CFC has provided me with invaluable insight into how non-governmental organizations both operate internally and interact with their surrounding communities. Being able to travel to Cambodian on several research trips and then to work with CFC as an intern last summer has provided me with a completely new perspective and a greater appreciation for the work that is being done by CFC and other NGOs around the world. Working specifically with the career preparation program has given me hope that opportunities for Cambodian youth are increasing as more and more NGOs and government initiatives have recognized the importance of career preparation for the success and development of Cambodia’s future. Working with CFC has given me real guidance and direction as to where I’d like to take my career in the future.”

Allyson Baer, MA, Comparative and International Education

“I had the unique opportunity to visit Siem Reap in my first year at Lehigh during the spring of 2013. In support of the CFC/Lehigh University partnership, we explored the students’ perception of the value of providing professional and post-secondary academic resources among a sample of Bakong High School students. During our focus groups, the students were welcoming and open to share with visitors (with whom they had no familiarity) their thoughts on the Career Corner as well as their own personal aspirations. Some students offered up a glimpse of family life, their parents’ expectations, and, unforgettably, they taught me that “Lehigh” sounds exactly like “goodbye” in Khmer. And, while we all had a good laugh, saying “Lehigh” was imminent and I felt grateful for that group of bright students allowing me to survey their responses without anything in return. Their graciousness is, indisputably, infectious. Sadly, this is my last semester in Lehigh’s Comparative and International Education program. While my next step is not yet clear, I will be working in public health and education initiatives.”

Shay Slifko, MA, Comparative and International Education, 2014 

“Experiential learning is a highly recommended practice in higher education as it builds the bridge between theoretical knowledge and practice in the field.  As a graduate student in Comparative and International education at Lehigh University, I have had the opportunity to gain valuable field experience through a partnership established between Caring for Cambodia and Lehigh University.  This experience has been enriching both professionally and personally. As director of Early Childhood Education at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, my experiences in Cambodia have also encouraged me to integrate global connections to early education in our teacher training curriculum. Most importantly, I have expanded my understanding about the Cambodian cultural, social and educational context while working with the committed staff of Caring for Cambodia (CFC) on various projects. Indeed, the experiential knowledge gained through these trips has opened my mind to the countless opportunities of learning that exist beyond the US borders. When the partnership was first established, I had the opportunity to learn about the collaborative process required to build such partnerships as part of the coursework under the guidance of Dr. Iveta Silova. The following semesters, I visited Siem Reap to conduct collaborative research with CFC staff. The topics of research were of strategic importance to CFC. Evaluations of its preschool program and its connection to school readiness, Career Corner in Bakong High School, effectiveness of ESL program, and job placement skills for high school students are just a few. The preschool evaluation project gave me a chance to participate in the home-based preschools located in the heart of the villages, interacting with parents while shadowing teachers on their home visits to families. This project helped me understand the context of families and communities in Cambodia. As a teacher educator in United States, I often emphasize the importance of family and community context in education to my students. Working on CFC projects has given me hands-on experience in the same. I have also had a chance to meet with other teacher educators and officials from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. I am grateful to CFC for providing such enriching and meaningful experiences during my graduate coursework.”

Anu Sachdev, Ph.D., Comparative and International Education