Working in Cambodia

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Thanks to all my loyal readers. Due to your kind praise and enthusiastic demands, I have resumed the chronicle of my Asian adventures. As time races on, novelty and awe become more fleeting. One grows increasingly accustomed to traffic that converges rather than flows, ubiquitous overly dramatic Korean music videos, and the once-heralding calls of “tuk tuk lady!” begin to coagulate into merely an annoying buzz. Thus, there is seemingly less to write of.

Yet one topic remains prominent in my mind. There is an ostensibly unanimous (at least in my experience) attitude amongst Americans that jobs in developing countries are sub-par. These jobs do not qualify as serious employment, but are merely an excuse for goofing off in a foreign country. The “real” jobs lie at home. Perhaps I too initially held this assumption. But after more than a month in Phnom Penh, I cannot help but be unsettled by this country-centric attitude.

Cambodia practically breeds opportunity, especially when one is looking for realms to exercise innovation and developmental practices. Rules here don’t exist, so there is no red tape to be cut. But in the US, it is probable that your brilliant idea will be thwarted by some obscure legal complication. There is also virtually no competition here. But these benefits apply to foreigners only. Foreigners are held in grand prestige by the locals, and this status coupled with a firm integration into the ex-pat community opens a lot of doors. But sometimes this openness can be overwhelming- most foreigners are given unanticipated responsibilities that they aren’t prepared or qualified for. So in my few weeks in Cambodia, I can already claim to have experience with grant writing, editing and proofreading, teaching, interviewing, marketing, seeking sponsorships, organizing and hosting events, and serious networking. As an intern in the US, I would be fortunate to be given the responsibility of fetching coffee for my boss.

This experience has inspired my most current life-ambition: international social entrepreneurship (perhaps corporate). This phraseology is merely a fancy way of stating that I want to go to foreign countries, recognize social problems, and develop programs that enact a solution. It’s not exactly an original idea, especially in developing countries, but one that will prove both challenging and worthwhile. Most of my life ambitions seem to have about a one month term limit, so we’ll see if this one sticks.

Humorous observation of the day: at the corner minimart, called “Smile,” which is akin to a pristine, air-conditioned microcosm of western luxury and less like your local 7-11, a variety of aspiring western products are sold. Today’s favorite: corn ice cream. No I did not try it.

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