Structure: Two Semesters
Travel Portion:
2025:
Start: Monday, May 5
End: Saturday, June 7
Price (airfare not included): $4,600 $3,500
Overview
Why participate?
This unique program allows students to engage in meaningful service through educating opportunities at a Cambodian teacher training college and through a student-led community impact project. Students will explore rich religious, cultural, and historical sites to build deep connections with themselves and to contemporary Southeast Asia. Visiting these countries exposes students to intersections with U.S. and Southeast Asian history.
The spring course, designed to prepare students for their four-week study abroad in Southeast Asia, focuses on three main aspects:
- Vietnam and Cambodia’s history, culture and art, their influence over the centuries on the region’s geography and politics, their evolution into players on the world stage of Cold War politics of the Western powers from 1945 to 1990, and their social, economic, and political status and role today. Regarding Vietnam, this course specifically looks at the country’s 2,000-year history, with particular attention to the three Vietnamese wars (1945–1975), the special relationship between the U.S. and the countries of Southeast Asia, the legacy of that time on American culture and politics to this day, and contemporary Vietnamese society, from economics to popular Regarding Cambodia, this course traces the early history of Cambodia from its rise to regional empire status, as the Khmer Empire, centered in Angkor, its’ regional influence at the height of its power, the unique art that it brought forth in the temples of Angkor Wat, the politics that thrust Cambodia into the Cold War and brought the Khmer Rouge and the Killing Fields to this small nation, and today’s challenges and opportunities.
- English as a second language: This course will incorporate English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) approaches to prepare students for their service experience, working with Cambodian students to help them improve their English language comprehension level and speaking skills.
- Community: This course uses a project-based learning approach to help students develop a project that meaningfully impacts the Cambodian people they will interact with while staying in Siem Reap.
The summer course takes students through Southeast Asia. Arriving in Bangkok, Thailand for a short visit there then, to Vietnam, visiting important cultural sites and places of historical significance critical to understanding the events that shaped Vietnamese society and culture over the centuries, as well as those that helped shape the U.S. during its long military involvement in Southeast Asia. Second, to Cambodia, exploring Khmer Rouge history and its Killing Fields and touring some of the major Angkor temple sites, viewing in person the evolution of the unique Khmer artistry over a 500-year span, which makes it today a World Heritage Site and offers a unique insight into the evolution of an empire and its eventual fall into ruins. During this course, students will teach English to Cambodian students, explore Siem Reap culture and society, and reflect on their travel experience.
Course focus
- History, Culture, & Art of Vietnam & Cambodia
- English as a second language
- Community impact
- COURSE SYLLABUS: 2025 Syllabus
Program information
- Spring 2025 (on campus): IDH 4007 (3 credits) - MMC, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:00PM-6:15PM
- Summer A 2025 (abroad): IDH 4008 (3 credits) - May 5-June 7, 2025
Program highlights
- Walking though Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious site
- Overnight cruise in Halong Bay
- Touring the Grand Palace of Bangkok
- Connecting with Vietnamese university students
- Assist future teachers in Cambodia with their English language skills at Provincial Teacher Training College
What is included
- 32 nights in handpicked accommodations with 2 students per room
- Regional flights within program
- Regional land transportation by van or bus
- Airport transfers and few excursions
- Overnight boat cruise with 3 meals on board and 2 students per cabin
- Visas for Vietnam & Cambodia*
- *Depending on nationality of student, student may need to contact the consular offices attain visa on their own
- International travel medical insurance
- English-speaking tour guide for some activities
- Breakfast included by some hotels
- Student Exchange Days
- English teaching at Teacher Training College & local high school in Cambodia (20+ service hours)
- 24/7 support from Faculty Directors
- Admission to Grand Palace of Bangkok, Cu Chi Tunnels, Bang Pa In Summer Palace, and so much more
What is not included
- Roundtrip international airfare to/from Bangkok, Thailand
- $195.00 Education Abroad administrative fee (OEA Fee)
- FIU in-state tuition (6 credits, $205.57 per credit)
- Passport, visa, and other necessary documents
- Personal expenses
- Tips to guides, porters, or drivers
Key:
(#) = number of nights; airplane = flight; squiggle line = boat
Itinerary
Itinerary is subject to change. It is a “living document,” meaning that scheduled "Free Time" may be utilized for in-person quizzes, class meetings, and/or class days.
Students should always consult with their Faculty Director prior to scheduling plans during "Free Time"
Day 1: Travel to Bangkok
Students are expected to arrive in Bangkok on day 2
Day 2-4: Bangkok
Arrival to Bangkok, Thailand. Highlights include orientation, Bangkok walking city tour, tour of Wat Po, Reclining Buddha, Jim Thompson House. Plus, day trip to Ayuthaya and tour of Bang Pa-In Palace
Day 5-7: Ho Chi Minh City
Regional flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Highlights include city tour and Cu Chi tunnels
Day 8-10: Hanoi
Regional flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Highlights include city tour of Hanoi and surrounding area
Day 11: Halong Bay
Travel overland to Halong Bay, Vietnam for overnight boat cruise with lunch, dinner, and breakfast provided
Day 12-13: Hanoi
Return to Hanoi, Vietnam. Experience Cultural Exchange Day with Vietnamese university students
Day 14-32: Siem Reap
Regional flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. While being based in Siem Reap, FIU Honors students will be completing service learning by developing lesson plans and teaching Cambodian college students the English language at the local Teacher Training College. Each day, FIU Honors students will meet their students to prepare them to become better English teachers and speakers. Additionally, there will be tours and visits to Landmine Clearing Project, Angkor Crafts School, and primary and secondary schools. Students will also complete World Children's Day activities
Day 33-34: Bangkok
Regional flight back to Bangkok, Thailand. Overnight stay at hotel in Bangkok. End of program
Co-Faculty Directors
Cory Fairfield
Cory Fairfield, MA has been part of the FIU community for over a decade, starting his academic journey at Florida International University and successfully completing both his Undergraduate and Graduate degrees. Currently working towards an Ed.D in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, Cory's dedication to education is evident in his ongoing pursuit of knowledge.
In 2017, following his Master's degree, Cory transitioned into a full-time role at FIU, initially working at OneStop Enrollment Services before finding his place in Academic Advising. Currently serving as CARTA's Assistant Director of Academic Support Services, Cory is committed to supporting academic success.
A graduate of the Honors College, Cory has a global perspective that goes beyond the classroom. He has participated in programs that include Honors in Costa Rica and Honors in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as study abroad ventures to the Bahamas and Germany. These international engagements reflect Cory's interest in cultural exchange and diverse learning experiences.
Join Cory on his educational journey as he continues to contribute to FIU and beyond, driven by a genuine passion for learning and a desire to make education accessible and impactful for all.
Grace Cuervo
Grace Cuervo is a two-time Florida International University alum with degrees in Statistics and Data Science along with a Minor in Art History. Like the students of FIU’s Honors College, she also thinks that everything is interesting and that everything is connected. Her first time outside of the U.S. was with the Honors College Cambodia/Vietnam program, for which she is now co-directing. Frawley is currently a Senior Grants Analyst with Miami-Dade County’s Office of Management and Budget where she secures grant funding for a wide array of programs and projects for the County. Prior, she wore many hats at FIU’s Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum for over 8 years: leading community outreach efforts, evaluating programs, and assisting with fundraising (among many other things). She’s excited to be back with the Honors College and looks forward to receiving the favorite recipe of anyone reading this.
2025 Payment Schedule
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1st Payment (Deposit) |
2nd Program Payment |
Spring 2025 |
3rd Program Payment |
Education Abroad Fee |
Summer A 2025 |
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Payment $1,500 |
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Payments are non-refundable & non-transferable