SFS-Cambodia: Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies

Program Details

Program Location Siem Reap, Cambodia
Sponsor School for Field Studies
Program Type Co-sponsored
Course # SA 35010
Duration Semester
Upcoming Program Dates
Spring 2025 01/26/25 to 05/09/25
Current Program Dates
Fall 2024 08/31/24 to 12/12/24
Page Links
Click here to apply for this program!
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

SFS-Cambodia: Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies

Learn about the complexity of Cambodia’s struggle to balance biodiversity conservation and development by studying the interface between livelihoods and the environment, assessing biodiversity and ecology, and exploring ethical issues around natural resource use and environmental governance.

The program has a particular emphasis on qualitative field research methods. Students meet and interview a wide variety of villagers and the members of various local and international conservation and development programs.

In addition, students explore a variety of regional development and conservation challenges and community-based solutions during travel across rural and urban Cambodia and Vietnam. Students visit key sites along the Mekong River, explore the biodiverse forests of Mondulkiri, gain appreciation for Cambodia’s recent history in Phnom Penh, and discover coastal ecosystems in Kampot prior to heading to Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:School for Field Studies.

Eligibility

SFS-Cambodia: Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies

The program is open to Purdue students who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity and a desire to experience another culture.  

Prerequisite: one semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science.

GPA Requirement: 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none


Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Agriculture] [College of Liberal Arts]

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.


Academic Program

All coursework is in English. All students take 18 credits. Please see the SFS website for the course descriptions and syllabi.

Excursions

Due to COVID-19, excursions are subject to change.

Course-related excursions/field work are included in the program fee, including nearly a months traveling through Cambodia and Vietnam.

Housing

Participants live at the SFS field station in Cambodia.

Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.
 
Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.
The program fee includes tuition, all meals at the center, program-related ground transportation and park entrance fees, field equipment, supplies, and on-site orientation.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Spring 2025

Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee $18,425.00
Study Abroad Fee $914.10
Housing $5,125.00
Purdue International Insurance (per month) $32.00

Approximate additional costs per semester
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare $2,000.00
Visa $120.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $0.00 - $1,400.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos) $175.00

Financial Aid

SFS offers many scholarships and/or 0% interest loans (no FAFSA form required). Please see the SFS website for more details.

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.


Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Fall Semester Programs Mar 1
Spring Semester Programs Sep 15



Returnees Information

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.


Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.


For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.