Winter Study Abroad in Cambodia!

Over the winter semester, I had the opportunity of studying abroad in Cambodia. Cambodia’s rich history and culture originally inspired me to apply for the City University of New York - Brooklyn College faculty-led study abroad program in Human Rights and Transitional Justice in Post Genocide Cambodia. With the assistance of CUNY College of Staten Island Senior Study Abroad Advisor Russell Davis, I was able to use the e-permit privilege to participate in a course that ended up counting towards my minor requirement.

The course was fantastic, we learned a lot about Cambodia’s political history, and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). The ECCC, a hybrid court established by the Cambodian government and the United Nations to prosecute people most responsible for the Cambodian genocide. The incredible features of the course were that we had the privilege of visiting the ECCC and interviewing employees of the court. Conducting interview-based research was a tremendous learning opportunity for me, and I felt extremely fortunate for having the opportunity to learn about the country’s history through books and publications, but also hearing from survivors about their experience during the genocide was very inspiring. Human Rights and Transitional Justice in Post Genocide Cambodia - January program through Brooklyn College.


Studying abroad was the perfect opportunity for me to explore new places, make new friends, try different southeast Asian cuisine, and experience different other personal milestones. The whole study abroad group was incredible, and the weather was great in Cambodia! It was terrific to have a tight group of colleagues to celebrate the NEW YEAR and experience all the fantastic excursions that the program had to offer.

One of my favorite places we visited was Angkor Wat! It was incredible to hear the history of the temple, how they sustained it during the genocide, the dedication, time and resources it took to build such a historic site. While conducting interview-based research about the genocide, we spent some time in Phnom Penh the capital, Kampong Chhnang, Anlong Veng (former Khmer Rouge stronghold), and Siem Reap. Overall, this winter study abroad is one of the highlights of my college career, and I hope to participate in another study abroad before I graduate. I also would highly recommend any student to consider studying abroad because it is such a tremendous experience full of immense growth.

Fatu Amara

Summer Study in Heidelberg, Germany!

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My study abroad experience has truly been the experience of a lifetime. Spending 66 days in Heidelberg, a little town nestled along the Neckar River has truly been wonderful. To be honest, first flying out to study and getting settled in, was tough. I was anxious for what was to come, but with every day I grew to love this place. The German culture I felt was not to far off from back home. The obvious difference is the language, but there is something about the life style that brought me to not want to go. Germans are not outright friendly with everyone, but when they get to know you, they are some of the best people to be around. On my second to last day, I went to all the shops I frequented and was met with smiles and well wishes on my travel home. The staff at the European Study Center were all wonderful and extremely helpful, I am glad to say that some I now can call a friend. The friends I have made studying abroad are friends that will last a lifetime. We traveled, ate, and partied together and saying good-bye is always tough, but we know we shall meet again real soon. I traveled to Nuremberg, Munich, Schwangau, Prague, Budapest, Paris, and I even stayed at a castle for the night. Those were just independent travels, with my program we traveled to; Strasbourg, Worms, went to see both Audi, and Mercedes. My friends and I all tried to experience as much of Heidelberg as we possibly could, we; partied with the German populous, had a picnic on the Neckar, walked through Aldstadt (Old Town), and did every little thing possible we could and fell in love with this place. Of everywhere I traveled, traveling within Germany was my favorite.

The German people are kind, and the landscape of the country is beautiful. I think about now leaving, as I will in two days and I can’t help but feel sad in leaving this little town. There is a song called “I Lost My Heart in Heidelberg”, for many of us it is true. This town, the people have all become home to me. When I go it will be sad, but one must always look to the future, and I know that one day I will come back here and see Heidelberg again.

I think about me on the first day I arrived, I didn’t know anybody and thought maybe I did make a mistake coming to study abroad. Now I look back, and laugh because this was the greatest opportunity I had, and I am sure glad I took it. The memories, the friends, and Heidelberg shall stay with me forever. Studying Abroad is an opportunity to not only experience new cultures, and visit new places. It too allows you to find yourself and enriches your mindset on the world, where you live is not the center and there are many things to see, and people to meet. All you have to do is take the leap, and for me studying abroad gave me that and so much more.

Connor Lewis

CCIS Heidelberg, Germany Summer Program

European Study Center