August 2024 Alumni Spotlight
Alumnus Marek Siek joined the Peace Corps after completing the Master of International Affairs degree at the Marxe School. He introduces us to his life in Cambodia upon his arrival in 2023, his experiences with the Cambodian and Khmer culture, some of the biggest challenges he’s faced, and much more in this month’s spotlight.
Tell us about your life in Cambodia since your arrival in late 2023.
It’s not easy to summarize such an intense period, but I will try my best. My experience with the Peace Corps began a few days earlier as the K15 cohort met during the staging event in San Francisco and traveled together to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Later, I arrived in Takeo province to live with a Khmer host family in a rural Cambodian location. The Pre-Service Training taught me more about living in a host family and prepared me for teaching in rural areas of Cambodia. I was provided with rigorous Khmer language training, technical sessions, and cultural orientation to help me understand Khmer culture. These ten weeks of intense training were also an opportunity to make friends, adjust to the local diet, and learn health and security protocols.
After two months of intense training in Takeo province, I was officially sworn in as a K15 PC Volunteer. I am so proud of the K15 cohort representing the mosaic of American culture here in Cambodia. In December, I arrived at my permanent site in Tbong Khmum province. Ever since, I have taught in the secondary school, supported teachers’ development, worked on community research projects, and brought external help, which included cooperation with Darien Book Aid, which donated books to our library, and cooperation with my former coworkers in NYC at Summit Academy Charter School. Additionally, I was studying Khmer daily with my tutor and attended local ceremonies, which made me a “cultural ambassador” for the local community. My Khmer counterparts welcomed me with an open heart, and most importantly, my students appreciated my hard work; seeing their improvement during our lessons reminded me of my personal goal when I decided to join the PC.
I had been quite busy with my latest side project. On July 2nd, we celebrated the first American-Cambodian Friendship Day at Samdach Mae High School. The event was organized to promote American culture and encourage the use of the English language among young people in Cambodia. I spent several months preparing students for the first English Speaking Contest. In my daily work, I believe in taking a holistic approach to students’ education. I emphasize that learning should extend beyond the classroom through activities that promote continual growth and maintain students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being. The cultural day agenda included an English-speaking contest and a showcase of American dances and songs performed by the students. The celebration was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including a group of teachers from Summit Academy Charter School. New York, other PCVs, and PC Cambodia staff members. This initiative ultimately improved the English communication skills of students, and educated local teachers about how to assess students’ speech production and helped to promote a better understanding of America among Cambodians and of Cambodia among Americans.
What have you learned thus far about Cambodian and Khmer culture?
After spending many years studying abroad and working in different countries, I have gained valuable experiences that have helped me adapt to Khmer culture in Cambodia. I’ve learned that understanding local customs and learning the Khmer language are crucial for effective collaboration with the local people. During my time here, I’ve come to understand that family plays a central role in Khmer society. Transitioning from an individualistic society to a more collective culture has been challenging, but I’ve found that the nuclear family serves as an anchor, while extended family members, and friends frequently interact and support each other. I’ve also discovered the significance of festivals in Cambodian culture. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in celebrations like Bon Kathan, Maek Bohea Day, and Khmer New Year, which takes place in April and spans three days to mark the harvest. In my efforts to adapt to Khmer culture, I’ve spent time engaging with the local community, attending events like weddings, and learning about their customs and values. Although there is still much for me to explore, I am committed to fully immersing myself in the culture and believe that my experiences here will be truly transformative.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
I am extremely thankful for the chance to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cambodia, and I have been deeply moved by the kindness of the Khmer people. However, there have been challenges as well. The process of adapting has been intricate, and I have found it particularly challenging to learn the Khmer language because of my dyslexia. Nevertheless, I am committed to learning, and I want to encourage others with similar difficulties to challenge themselves. I try to practice the language daily with my tutor, and I also communicate with my host family and students. Luckily, I can still communicate with my colleagues even when language barriers arise, thanks to my experience and strong motivation to learn and improve my language skills. Additionally, I’ve learned the importance of taking care of my physical and mental well-being while living in Cambodia, as it’s very different from life in America.
What’s next?
After seven months on site, I’m looking forward to continuing my work at the secondary school. I have conducted community research to identify urgent needs and have successfully completed my first secondary project, the American-Cambodian Friendship Day. I have several ideas for additional secondary projects during the remaining time of my service, such as teacher development and creating a model classroom. I also intend to provide support to the American Corner located in our provincial town. Moreover, in March, I was chosen as a PC Cambodia Social Media Committee Content Specialist. As a committee member, I am responsible for creating informative and engaging content about our daily work and Khmer culture, with a focus on showcasing the diversity of our cohort working in Cambodia.
After my service ends, I want to continue advocating for the communities I will serve and continue helping to support comprehensive educational initiatives in Southeast Asia. With over eight years of experience in international relations and teaching, I aim to use my expertise to further educational initiatives in Asia’s developing economies. Thanks to my studies at SWUFE in Chengdu and work experience in Armenia and Indonesia, I have developed a nuanced understanding of the region’s needs. Working in Cambodia with the Peace Corps presents an unparalleled opportunity to deepen my knowledge of the communities in the area.
Tell us about your time at Marxe in the Master of International Affairs program – what were some of the most important lessons you learned, and how did they prepare you for your chosen career path?
During my MIA program, I focused in my studies on a special concentration in higher international education. Throughout my life, various experiences have led me to recognize the importance of global education and the equal distribution of teaching and learning opportunities regardless of location. Thanks to Marxe, I have had the chance to work with prestigious institutions, participate in immersive programs and fellowships in several countries. As a MIA student, I represented CUNY at the 3rd ASEF Ethical Young Leaders Summit in Brussels and received a scholarship to study at Southwestern University in Chengdu. Additionally, I was honored to assist the Human-Centered Design seminar at the European Forum Alpbach in Austria. Yet, the most important lessons I remember are coming from the fall semester of 2020, when I participated in the Marxe Washington Semester Program, where I had the opportunity to intern at the Fulbright Association. Although, considering how my career path has turned, the Global Communication class with Professor Sarah Bishop was truly inspiring.
Additionally, I am grateful to Professor Robert C. Smith, whose mentorship was so valid to my graduate thesis expertise. There are many prestigious scholarships, but their availability is limited to a very narrow group of students who comply with strict conditions. I proposed to use the EU’s Erasmus program, the biggest European educational student exchange initiative, as a case to analyze why and how the UNESCO Global Convention on Recognition Higher Education Qualifications could be used as a model to create a new student exchange program for those, under current conditions, cannot afford to study abroad.
During my academic career, I have had the amazing opportunity to study under many professors. They have piqued my interest in other cultures, as well as the need for sustainable development, education, and international cooperation. I have applied these interests while working with educational initiatives such as the Fulbright Association and Global Cities. Currently, I am continuing to pursue these passions as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cambodia.
