For many international school teachers, Southeast Asia is the dream region. Cambodia offers many of the same opportunities as other ASEAN nations, along with many of its own unique advantages.
Here, we’ll take you through what it’s like living and teaching at international schools in Cambodia, and why this beautiful country might just be the perfect setting for your next career move.
A host of opportunities…
Over the last couple of decades, there’s been a steady rise in the number of international schools in Cambodia, with most to be found in the major urban centres like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The majority of these follow the English National Curriculum; however, you can also find plenty following the IB (International Baccalaureate) and American Curriculum.
As you’d expect of any international school, those in Cambodia generally look to invest in professional development, which will often take the form of specific training tied to the curriculum they offer. When the time comes to move on, the combination of your experience and training can help take your international teaching career further (in very literal terms).
…both in and out of the classroom
Teaching is a transformative vocation, centred on helping individuals and their communities to grow. In the case of international teaching posts in developing countries, you’ll often find a wealth of opportunities to help engender a positive impact on a wider set of stakeholders than the school’s student body. And that’s likely to be the case when you teach in international schools in Cambodia.
Obviously, this will all depend on the school you join and the role you take up, but many have ties to NGOs – or other community-based projects – that you and your students can work with. These relationships can provide amazing opportunities to offer your students project-based learning experiences that are both memorable, and deeply purposeful.
Cost of living and quality of life teaching at international schools in Cambodia
One of the significant advantages of living in Cambodia as an international teacher is the affordable cost of living. Compared to western countries – and even some neighbouring Southeast Asian nations – Cambodia offers a high quality of life but with a very different price tag.
While there may be postings in other areas that pay more in simple terms (in the Middle East for instance), when you balance this against Cambodia’s cost of living, it comes out as highly competitive in real terms. It’s not unrealistic to save a significant amount, whilst also maximising opportunities to engage in a bit of adventure. Here, you really can do both. Take a read of our Salaries and Benefits page for more info on comparing countries’ cost of living.
Language and integration
Being based in a country with a significant economic dependence on tourism has two key advantages. Firstly, as we’ve already discussed, living in Cambodia as an international teacher means you’re within touching distance of bucket-list grade sites of interest such as Angkor Wat. Secondly, on a slightly more prosaic note, you’ll find many people that speak some level of English: especially in more populous areas, and those on the established backpacker circuit.
The official language is Khmer, and of course – as with any posting – you should be making an effort to obtain some level of proficiency (at least to cover basic conversations and niceties). That said, knowing you’ll be able to get by (at least in most situations) as a non-Khmer speaker means there’s less of a barrier between you and getting settled in. And that’s a big advantage when you’re finding your bearings in a new part of the world.
Southeast Asia is on your doorstep…
Outside of work, Cambodia boasts a wealth of cultural and natural attractions, but it’s also an amazing staging ground from which to see the rest of Southeast Asia. Outside of term time, you’ll find yourself able to reach beautiful locations like Thailand, Vietnam and Laos via short, affordable flights.
…but there’s plenty to see closer to home
It would be an exaggeration to say that Cambodia has it all, but only a slight one. From natural wonders to UNESCO heritage sites, there are many reasons people travel halfway around the world – even for a relatively short stay. By teaching at one of the many international schools in Cambodia, you can get to experience all of that, but also to immerse yourself in the Cambodian lifestyle that others only get to taste.
So, while not every day is going to be an adventure, they’ll all be an experience. The tropical climate will be a year-round joy to those who prefer warm weather. The cuisine, while not as famous as that of neighbouring Thailand, consists of simple dishes that are simply delicious (for pennies). And – while generalisations are always risky – the culture (heavily informed by the dominant religion Buddhism) promotes an easy-going attitude, steeped in respect and politeness.
Take it from an international teacher working in a Cambodian international school…
Adrian Pasos works as the Secondary SENCO at Northbridge International School Cambodia. Here’s what he has to say about his experience:
“Locals say Cambodia is the ‘Kingdom of Wonder’ because of its ancient temples. But expats who have lived here long enough don’t stay here for the temples, but for the opportunity to be part of something uniquely special. It’s not the parties or the night life. Many have have raised their kids here, thankful for its life lessons. Their kids grew up more compassionate, generous and inclusive. Cambodia is an invitation to be important to someone, and that takes the cake for me.
“As cheesy as it sounds, Cambodia makes my heart smile. Its capital Phnom Penh is a vibrant and diverse community; a lot of room to make connections! Don’t even get me started on communities in Siem Reap or Kampot! I love the nature, the speakeasies, and the sunset beaches in Koh Rong – if simple living is your vibe. More than anything, nothing holds me back from being a family to someone here. This ‘Kingdom of Wonder’ is a home! You’d be surprised at how it makes you a better human. Just two years in, I got it. Cambodia is the absolute no-frills, no-pretensions human experience!”
… and from a headteacher
Evelien Rutten has been the Head Teacher of Treehouse International School’s High School and shared the following about her life in Cambodia:
“Siem Reap, Cambodia, offers a high quality of life with proximity to nature and the world renowned Angkor Wat temples. With low rent and a safe environment, it’s an ideal spot for children to grow up in. The locals are kind and welcoming and affordable help is readily available for those who need it. But also for single people or couples, there is plenty to do. We have a great coffee culture, plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants. There are lots of activities to do in your free time: cycling, football and other sports, art classes, pub quizzes and live music to name a few.
“One of the best things about this city is a great international community and you’ll find almost every nation represented. The expat community is welcoming and it’s easy to meet people. The town is the right size: not too big, not too small. The commute to work is generally short either by tuktuk, bicycle or motorbike. The town is also very safe day and night from men and women to move around by themselves. The presence of an international airport and direct buses to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City make travelling a breeze. Through Siem Reap airport, there’s easy access to the rest of Southeast Asia or you take the overnight bus to the south of Cambodia to enjoy a long weekend on one of the tropical islands. Siem Reap boasts better air quality than other cities in Southeast Asia making it a truly great place to live.
“However, the best part of working in Cambodia are the students: they are absolutely wonderful. There’s a lot of respect for the teachers from students and parents alike; they are generally disciplined, motivated and there are very few behaviour problems.”
We wholeheartedly agree – so much so that Teacher Horizons even has an office in Siem Reap, staffed by amazing people doing brilliant work behind the scenes. Here’s what some of our team shared:
Oukdom Doeum, Operations Support
“Cambodia is a small country in Southeast Asia, but it is rich in culture and history. Phnom Penh, the capital city, is in the top 10 trending destinations, and the largest monument in the world, Angkor Wat, is in the top 21 of Top Destinations on Tripadvisor for 2024. Cambodian people are friendly, and the English language is widely used in most areas. More importantly, Khmer food is something you should not overlook. There are a variety of dishes with reasonable prices, like Nhum Banchok, Amok, Prohok, Tek Kroeng, and more.”
Elias Scharf, Operations Support
“Siem Reap is a big city but feels like a small town. I arrived here without knowing the country, the culture or the people but it doesn’t take much time to get familiarised with them all. Cambodia is a beautiful country with luscious greenery, thick forests and limitless exploration at your fingertips. And if you plan on staying for a while, you’ll quickly learn that community is the foundation of everything that goes on here. The language barrier is very much there but that is easily overcome by the friendly and welcoming attitude seemingly shared by all. Being here is like being invited into somebody’s home, feeling ever-so lovingly indebted to hold yourself in high regard as a bare minimum in comparison to the respect and honour so freely given to you. Without second thoughts, the people here are the first to invite you into their families, to offer you food or to help you on your next adventure. Cambodia, and Siem Reap specifically have very naturally become home away from home.”
Suphearum Loem, Operations Support
“Siem Reap, Cambodia, is good for expats in terms of the cost of living. Despite its size, this city has almost everything you could ever ask for. There is a lot to explore and enjoy. Most Cambodians are kind and friendly, even if you are a foreigner.”
Kimsreng Lay, Operations Support
“While Cambodia and its people have suffered greatly from the Khmer Rouge Genocide, our culture has endured, and our history can still be seen through the temples located in Siem Reap and throughout Cambodia. The Khmer people remain positive and optimistic, welcoming everyone with open arms to share and spread our culture, food, and stories with smiles.”
We invite you to peruse some of our recent social media posts about life in Cambodia on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube! You may also wish to read our guest blog about a school’s Week Without Walls trip to Cambodia for another perspective.
If you want to find out more about this incredible country and what it’s like teaching in international schools in Cambodia, you can check out our Cambodia country page, as well as the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap city pages.
When you’re ready to jump in, here are the current jobs listings.
សំណាងល្អ
(Somnang La’or : good luck!)
