Thailand & Cambodia — The Ancient Khmer Paradise

There’s a certain magic about Thailand and Cambodia that casts a spell on many who visit this enchanting part of Southeast Asia. Both countries are rooted deeply in history, art, architecture and Theravada Buddhism. Both are unsurpassed in natural beauty, ancient ruins, spectacular temples and devoutly Buddhist cultures. During this exciting learning experience you will enter Cambodia through Thailand. In Bangkok you will study Buddhist art and philosophy at the most important temples, palaces and museums. Outside of Bangkok you explore Ayuthaya, Thailand’s former capital. It is a treasure trove of ancient temples, monuments and Buddha statues.

You then depart Bangkok and drive into the Kingdom of Cambodia — the land of the gods. The area that is present-day Cambodia came under Khmer rule about 800 AD when the region was at the center of a vast empire that stretched over most of Southeast Asia. Under the Kymers, who were Hindus, they created one of the most powerful empires that once extended from the South China Sea to the Bay of Bengal. Over centuries, ancient Cambodia was highly influenced by India and many Hindu gods such as Vishnu and Shiva were revered. In fact, the great Kymer King, Jayavarman II proclaimed himself devaraja — the divine king of the land. Over the next six centuries, the Kymer kings constructed countless gigantic temples including the stunning Angkor Wat, the world’s single largest religious complex and one of the wonders of the world.

From the 10th century onwards, Buddhism gradually began to spread throughout the Kymer Empire and it began to flourish alongside Hinduism. Eventually, Theravada Buddhism emerged as the predominant religion replacing Hinduism as the national religion. Today Cambodia has a population of 13 million people and 60,000 of them are Buddhist monks!

During this culturally rich international study abroad program you will study Hindu and Theravada Buddhist philosophy, art, temple-architecture and Cambodia’s Buddhist cultural heritage. Each day your classroom will be a different ancient temple such as Angkor Wat, painting and sculpture studios, and many of Cambodia’s important Buddhist Wats where you will receive lectures on site from prominent resident Buddhist monks, scholars and abbots. You will have the rare opportunity to work with local farmers helping them to plant rice, the staple of the Cambodian diet. You will be totally immersed in both rural and urban environments during this culturally rich hands-on learning experience. If you are looking for a very powerful learning opportunity and you are drawn to Asia, please join me, the monks, and the Cambodian people, on a trip of a lifetime.

Program Description

This intensive study abroad program offers students the opportunity to study in one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in Southeast Asia — Cambodia. Students will study Buddhist philosophy, temple architecture, sacred art and culture in many of Cambodia’s Buddhist monasteries and world renowned archeological sites such as Angkor Wat. Students will receive lectures on site from prominent local artists, Buddhist scholars and monks at museums, Buddhist monasteries, artist foundries, and many of Cambodia’s famous archeological sites that are still considered sacred to the pious Buddhist laymen. Students will offer their services at schools and orphanages during this program and will have the hands-on experience of working with the farmers in their rice-paddy fields. Students will be totally immersed in Cambodia’s rural and urban environments during this international study abroad program.

This is a sample program description. When students enroll in the program they will receive a detailed syllabus and course description for each course.