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The School for Field Studies (SFS) Cambodia - Freshwater and Forest Ecosystems (Semester) (Outgoing Program) Print 
  • Locations: Siem Reap, Cambodia
  • Program Terms: Fall, Spring
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: The School for Field Studies (SFS) 
  • Restrictions: CSU applicants only
  • Dates / Deadlines
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language(s) of Instruction: English Program Type: Affiliated Provider
Program Description:

SFS CAMBODIA: FRESHWATER AND FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
(SEMESTER)

Cambodia


PROGRAM DETAILS

Terms | Fall, Spring

Credits | 18 semester-hour credits

Prerequisites | One semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science | 2.7 GPA | 18 years of age

Application Deadline | Fall: May 1st. Spring: November 1st. Early applications encouraged!

Financial Aid | All accepted students can apply for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans.


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OVERVIEW

In Cambodia, ecosystems and the communities they sustain are deeply intertwined. From the ancient temples of Angkor to the highlands of Mondulkiri, and from the floating villages on the Tonle Sap to the banks of the Mekong River, you’ll explore how conservation unfolds in daily life. Examine how forests, rivers, and farmland are changing—and how communities adapt. Investigate land rights, small-scale farming, forest management, and the impacts of hydropower on ecosystems and livelihoods. Through immersive fieldwork, you’ll gain hands-on experience with biodiversity surveys, forest inventories, and drone-based GIS mapping. Engage with farmers, Indigenous leaders, scientists, and activists—each offering grounded insights into conservation in a rapidly evolving landscape. Stay in jungle huts near elephants and gibbons, conduct research in remote villages, and spend time in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Through it all, you’ll build field skills, cultural insight, and a deeper understanding of how conservation and environmental justice intersect.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

→ Map freshwater and forest dynamics through GIS, field surveys, and community-based data collection spanning farms, floodplains, and upland springs.

→ Study elephant and gibbon behavior while engaging with conservation efforts in Cambodia’s highland forests.

→ Collaborate with scientists, fishers, and Bunong leaders to turn ecological insight into restoration solutions.

→ Explore the forest temples of Angkor Wat to understand how ecology, religion, and empire shaped the Khmer world.

→ Conduct Directed Research with faculty mentors, collect, analyze and interpret data, and present your findings to partners and stakeholders driving conservation decisions.

LOCATION

SFS students live and study at the Center for Environmental Justice and Mekong Ecologies – our most urban Center – which lies on the outskirts of Siem Reap, near the famed temples of Angkor. The Center is a breezy, modern campus nestled in a quiet neighborhood minutes away from the bustling downtown area, where you will find restaurants, shops, and markets with unique Cambodian flair.

RESEARCH THEMES

  • Freshwater dynamics in river and lake landscapes
  • Biodiversity conservation in freshwater and terrestrial systems
  • Elephants as keystone species and ecosystem engineers
  • Indigenous Rights and Challenges 
  • Forest systems and human environment interactions
  • Fish biology and migration drivers
  • Wetland functions and forest restoration
  • Mekong livelihood resilience in a changing climate
  • Governance of land and aquatic resources
CORE SKILLS
 
  • Biodiversity and Water Assessments
  • Species Identification and Population Monitoring
  • Animal Behavior Observation
  • Forest Survey Methods
  • Interview Methods
  • Animal behavior ethograms
  • Conservation Strategy Assessments
  • Quantitative/Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis
  • Basic Khmer Language
  • Research Design and Implementation
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Research Presentation
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LEARN MORE

REQUEST INFORMATION

APPLY NOW

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CONNECT WITH SFS

• Visit our website: fieldstudies.org

• Email: admissions@fieldstudies.org

•  Read updates from the field on our blog

• Follow us on Instagram

• Check out our Vimeo



CSU Deadlines / Program Dates:
CSU Deadlines / Program Dates:
Term Year App Deadline Decision Date Start Date End Date
Fall 2026 04/15/2026 ** Rolling Admission 08/31/2026 12/10/2026
Spring 2027 11/15/2026 ** Rolling Admission TBA TBA

** Indicates rolling admission application process. Students applying to CSU-sponsored programs will be notified of decision within two weeks of application submission. Students applying to non-CSU sponsored programs need to contact their program provider for decision dates.