By Scott – Founder / Operations Coordinator, LEAP Cambodia
I’m Scott and for over 10 years, I’ve been running student travel programs in the beautiful town of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Through LEAP Cambodia, our student service learning organization, I’ve welcomed international school students from around the world to experience something much deeper than just a trip to a new place. These aren’t your average school trips. They’re journeys that plant seeds of empathy, resilience and global awareness in young minds while creating real, lasting impact in the lives of local Cambodians.
From Personal Exploration to Purposeful Action
My story begins far from Cambodia, in Canada, where I completed a degree in Economics and International Relations. Like many young graduates, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. A trip to Australia made me fall in love with travel and the freedom it brings. Eventually, I found myself in South American and then Asia. When I arrived in Cambodia, right away, I was drawn to its rich culture, strong people, and beautiful landscapes.
I returned to Canada for a short time but got the chance to join a film project for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), which brought me back to Cambodia. That trip confirmed something I already felt deep down—I wasn’t finished with Cambodia. I wanted to live there, not just visit. I wanted to connect with the people and give something back.
So, I moved to Cambodia. I spent many hours exploring the countryside, villages, and ancient temples on motorbikes and jeeps. I loved finding places that were still untouched by tourism. I wanted others to experience the real Cambodia.
The Birth of LEAP Cambodia
Over time, I realized what inspired me the most wasn’t just showing people beautiful places. It was about creating real connections between people from different parts of the world. I saw how a single visit to a local school, a conversation with a community elder, or a morning spent building a clean water filter could plant seeds of empathy, gratitude, and global consciousness in young minds.
That’s when LEAP Cambodia was born.
LEAP stands for Learn, Engage, Act, and Progress. It wasn’t just about bringing students here to sightsee. I wanted to create a space where cultural exchange was real and two way, where learning went beyond the classroom and where both students and locals could walk away with something valuable.
The Heart of What We Do
At LEAP Cambodia, we design immersive service learning trips that connect international students directly with local communities. These projects are not staged or transactional. They are thoughtful and collaborative, where students help build vital infrastructure like water wells or school gardens and engage with local youth through education and creative activities.
Each trip is a balancing act between cultural immersion, purposeful service and personal growth. Students don’t just see Cambodia; they feel it, live it and take it with them long after they get home. And the locals? They gain more than assistance; they gain connection, recognition and hope.
Why Cultural Travel Matters
Many young people grow up behind screens and within the bubble of their home culture, making experiences like this essential. Traveling to Cambodia allows students to step into a world that’s different from their own—different in rhythm, challenges and values. But with that difference comes beauty, humility and perspective.
I’ve seen shy teenagers become confident young adults in just a week. I’ve seen them struggle with language barriers, step outside of their comfort zones and discover the joy of helping others without expectation. And I’ve seen them reflect deeply and honestly about their own lives, privileges and responsibilities as global citizens.
That’s the magic of travel. It teaches in a way textbooks never can. It’s experiential, emotional and unforgettable.
Building Bridges That Last
One of the things I’m most proud of is the relationships we build. We’re not a “fly-in, fly-out” organization. LEAP Cambodia operates year-round and our work with local villages, schools and NGOs continues long after each group of students departs. We focus on sustainability not charity. Our goal is always to empower not to impose.
And for the students it’s never just a one-time experience. Many return to visit. Some raise funds for the communities they work in. Others go on to study international development or volunteer elsewhere. That ripple effect is real, and that’s why I believe so strongly in what we do.
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on these past 10+ years, I feel incredibly grateful for the students who’ve joined us, the local partners who’ve trusted us and the communities that have welcomed us. I also feel like it’s my responsibility. There’s still so much more we can do, so many lives we can touch and so many lessons to be learned.
I often say that LEAP isn’t just a program. It’s a mindset. It’s about learning through experience, serving with intention and growing through connection. It’s about realising that while we may come from different corners of the globe, our shared humanity binds us far more than our differences divide us.
So, to the students, teachers and schools out there wondering what kind of travel experience will truly leave a mark, consider this your invitation. Come to Cambodia. Walk the red dirt roads. Sit in a circle with local kids. Learn a few words of Khmer. Sweat under the sun while building something that matters.
You’ll return changed, in the best way possible.
By Scott – Founder / Operations Coordinator, LEAP Cambodia
