Great Scot - The Scotch Family Magazine - Issue 151 September 2017 GreatScot_Internal_Sept_2017_FA | Page 31

Cambodia immersion During the Term 2 holidays, 27 Year 11 boys travelled to Cambodia for two weeks, which included working alongside local builders to help build a house for two families in a small community on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. We found it hard to communicate with the locals due to the extensive language barrier between us. This made a ceremony extra special where, through an interpreter, we had the opportunity to express our feelings and gratitude towards the families, skilled workers and other Cambodian volunteers. Many of the boys who went on this trip developed an understanding of how lucky we are to have access to education and attend such a fine school. Although we might be more privileged than a lot of the people we met in Cambodia, we discovered through getting to know the locals that this does not mean we are superior. A large amount of people in Cambodia are bilingual. This impressive skill enables some of these people to better their lives in business and social and global settings. In one instance when the boys visited Samrong. Johnny Bate was impressed by the wit and English speaking skills of the kids he was working with. During the second week we visited Siem Reap and learned about the Khmer culture, and visited some of the historical landmarks such as Angkor Wat temple, the Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. Boys in Year 10 can apply to be a part of the Year 11 Cambodia Immersion. For more information contact TIC Immersion, Mr Michael Waugh: [email protected] WILL LYONS – YEAR 11 www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot 29