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The students who are invited to participating in the camp are those studying English through the U.S. State Department’s “English Access Microscholarship Program”.
On July 2, the US Embassy in Phnom Penh hosted the Cambodia 2011 English Camp for over 150 students from nine provincial cities. The event began with cheerful entertainment from the Marine Forces Pacific Band – the “Party Band”, based in Hawaii. What a fun day for students who have little opportunity to participate in an event like this!

Ambassador Carol A. Rodley officially opened the event by congratulating the students, who each received an English Access Microscholarship to begin their English studies. She also stressed the importance of knowledge of the English language in Cambodia, as a way to be competitive in the current job market and in today’s global economy. In addition, she encouraged the students to study hard and said their effort will help both themselves and their families in the future. She added that the US Embassy is very pleased to support these students in pursuit of their goal to study and improve their English.
The full day of activities was coordinated by Senior English Language Fellow Joel Wiskin, and twenty two US Government exchange program alumni. Each alum conducted an activity or led a group of students from one activity to another. The English games, almost all chosen by the alumni, were: Jazz Chants, Quick Brain, Fortunately/Unfortunately, Scrabble, Finding Friends, Bingo, Banana, Matching, Waiter Race, Jeopardy, and Slap the Board. The students were divided into eleven groups and attended the eleven different activities. The day concluded with fun and joyful group songs led by the alumni.
In addition to the English Camp, the Access student participants were each provided with a ticket and stipend to attend the public “Fun Fourth” event on July 3 at the US Embassy. They enjoyed the playground, watched the band perform, posed for a group picture with the Embassy Marine Security Guards, got their faces painted, and much more. Some of the students even asked if there would be such an event they could attend again next year.
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The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides foundational English language skills to non-elite, 14-18 year old students through after school classes and intensive summer learning activities. Access students gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries, and gain the ability to compete for, and participate in future U.S. exchange and study programs.


Since its inception in 2004, approximately 55,000 students in more than 70 countries have participated in the Access Program.
In Cambodia alone, the program has sponsored approximately 601 students, 151 of which are currently taking classes and will finish in late 2012 or early 2013. Current programs are being implemented in Ratanakiri, Kratie, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang, Kampot, Battambang, Kampong Speu, and Phnom Penh. We have collaborated with the following partners: Build Bright University in Ratanakiri (BBU), The Cambodian Muslim Development Foundation (CMDF), The Cambodian Islamic Women’s Development Association (CIWODA), The Cambodian Islamic Youth Association (CIYA), The Islamic Local Development Organization (ILDO), The Islamic Community Kan Imam-San of Cambodia (ICKIS), and The Cambodian Muslim Community Development organization (CMCD). The students who participated in this event are the 7th generation to attend this program in Cambodia.