Change a Community. Apply Your Skills. Experience Cambodia.
Building Cambodia is looking for volunteers to join us on our 2026 in-country project. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of a small, international NGO with well established roots.
Everyone has skills that are in demand with rural villagers. You may not know it, but your life experience is a substantial qualification.
Your first trip to Cambodia can be daunting but the experience is unforgettable. Here's a timeline of what to expect leading up to takeoff.
180+ Days Before Departure
Budget
Initial interview with BCI staff. We'll help you check finances and travel capabilities.
90 Days Before Departure
Travel Clinic Appointment
Meet with a travel nurse or doctor for immunizations and necessary medications.
Prepare Clothing
Make sure you have clothing that matches the Cambodian climate and season of travel.
Passport
A passport is required for international travel. If you do not have one, this is a good time. Even if you have a passport, check the expiration date. Cambodia requires that you have one year of validity remaining from the date of when you depart their country and return to the United States. Apply for a renewal if you will not have sufficient validity.
60 Days Before Departure
Purchase Air Travel
Coordinate with BCI staff to determine an ideal travel window that works for everyone. We can provide guidance on purchasing tickets online or through a travel agent. Prices are generally good 60 days out from departure.
Set Up Home & Away Packets
Use two small binders or folios to keep track of important documents. BCI has a handy checklist you can use as the front page to ensure everything is included. For example, put a copy of your air itinerary in both binders. But only put a copy of your Passport page in the Home packet since you will need the original while you travel.
30 Days Before Departure
Apply for Cambodian eVisa
The Cambodian government has an excellent website to obtain a visa, which is required to enter. We recommend you get a fresh passport photo from a pharmacy before applying.
Plan Medications
Examine the medications you have on hand and what you will need during your trip. Reach out to your doctor if any additional medications or refills will be needed. Pharmacies in Cambodia are generally trustworthy for basic drugs but may not carry specialty medications.
Cell Phone
US cell phone carriers vary in their international coverage. Some have optional plans you can purchase to control costs while on your trip. Others include international coverage as a part of their base package. Check with your carrier to see if the upcoming trip requires changes to your plan. Cambodia now has excellent coverage for cell phones so your device should work well.
Power Adapter
Cambodia uses 230V electricity at 50Hz with the Asian two-prong round adapter common. There are many different travel adapters that can convert both the plug style and the voltage. Look for something similar to this.
Download and setup WhatsApp if you don't already have it. Most of our local contacts use it as a zero-cost way to communicate via cell phone. We also coordinate through it as a safe, encrypted method while traveling.
Watch the News
Start watching news from NHK in Japan occasionally. It's a free app for most streaming platforms and available via browser. Channel News Asia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation are also free and trustworthy. Keep an eye out for anything that might disrupt the trip like weather or politics.
14 Days Before Departure
Cash and Credit
Credit cards are now more widely accepted in Cambodia. But many restaurants, shops, and destinations may require cash. Consult with BCI staff to help estimate how much cash you may need. Your bank can help you obtain fresh, blemish free currency. The physical look and feel of US dollars is very important in Cambodia as it reflects the trustworthiness of the bill. Don't be surprised if someone asks for a different bill and definitely don't take it personally.
Credit and debit card operators are very sophisticated in how they track fraud, so travel notifications are not usually required. If this is your first trip overseas you should contact the card issuer just in case to let them know you plan to travel.
5 Days Before Departure
Start Packing!
Set up your suitcase(s) where you can easily review the contents. By starting early you can ensure everything you need is included.
Review Your Checklist
Remember that checklist you setup in your Home & Away binders? Now is the time to review it for anything missing.