Freshman Orientation

By Kitty Lipp

Cambodian Arts and Scholarship Foundation had its second annual “freshman orientation” trip to the temples of Angkor in January. These temples were built in the early 12th century and re-discovered in the mid 19th century. It is our hope that these trips will take our students beyond books to first-hand appreciation of their cultural heritage. These girls are the future of Cambodia!

Here is what Vanna said about this experience: “When I heard about the trip to Siem Reap, I was very happy because I never thought I would be able to visit there. All the girls were so excited that we could not sleep the night before we left. I felt very strange when the time came to board the bus. My hands and feet were very cold just like ice. I never had the chance to take a modern bus before!

On the way, I really enjoyed the view along the roadsides. Even at the rest stop the other girls and I talked and had fun that we will not forget for our whole life. When we reached Siem Reap, I was extremely delighted as one of my dreams had come true.

Suddenly I thought of all of you who made my dream happen.

My heart kept asking, ‘Why am I so lucky?’ I realized it was because I am part of you as a student of CASF. At the hotel, I felt as if I were in heaven! It was very nice and peaceful with flowers, a swimming pool, fish pond and the people there were very friendly in welcoming us. Late in the evening, I enjoyed the pools so much and thought we must all be angels in heaven.

Hmm, unforgettable, really!

On the second day our team visited Angkor Wat. I never thought I would be able to stand in front of it at all. I always heard people say Angkor is very beautiful. But when I stood there, I could feel much more than what I heard. Listening to the others one hundred times is not equal to seeing with my own eyes, even just one time. When I looked into the moat surrounding Angkor Wat, I thought about how they built it for the interest of agriculture. And looking at the temple walls was also good as it told the story of what happened in that time.
When I was able to see those wonderful things, I felt I was very lucky to be born as a Cambodian citizen.”