“I never expected one of my favourite memories from Cambodia to involve sheltering from the rain with two complete strangers.
It was a warm, sunny day in Siem Reap when I went for a run to help me settle into the time difference. Out of nowhere, the rain began to pour, forcing me to shelter under the trees beside a brother and sister. Despite their limited English and me not speaking Khmer, they made a genuine effort to talk to me, asking where I was from and why I was in Cambodia. As I left, they offered me a plastic bag to protect my head from the rain. It was a simple gesture, but one that stayed with me. Despite being a complete stranger, they had shown me genuine kindness and warmth.
The UCDVO education project with MOEI is based in Siem Reap, where UCD students volunteer in local schools, teaching English and supporting local teachers. I was particularly attracted to this project because I come from a family of teachers and wanted to see how they lived their daily lives. However, what surprised me most was how diverse our group of volunteers was, with almost everyone coming from a different college course. Despite our different backgrounds, we came together with a shared goal and a willingness to learn, teach and make a positive contribution.
The main challenge I experienced during the volunteer programme was adapting to the first week of teaching. It took some time to become comfortable in the classroom, understand the students’ different abilities and personalities, and build a relationship with the teacher I was working alongside. I quickly realised the importance of being adaptable and flexible in my approach.
By the end of the four weeks, I had become much more comfortable and had developed meaningful relationships with both the teacher and the students. The experience taught me that building trust and making a meaningful impact takes time, patience and adaptability.
One of my main takeaways from the UCDVO programme was that volunteering is not about arriving with the belief that you know what is best. It is about being willing to learn, adapt and understand what a community actually needs. I went to Cambodia intending to teach, but I quickly realised that I had just as much to learn from the people around me.
This was particularly true of the Cambodian student who helped me in my classroom. Alongside volunteering with us, she worked two other full-time jobs and would sometimes sacrifice sleep to keep up with everything. Her dedication and ambition made me reflect on my own work ethic.
For me ethical volunteering is about understanding that you are entering someone else’s community. It is about creating support within the community and not imposing your own views or beliefs. It is about approaching the entire community with humility, respect and a willingness to learn. I would highly recommend the UCDVO Volunteer Programme to anyone who is looking to not only understand the wider world, but also to understand yourself”.
Aaron Fenlon is a Stage 3 International Commerce student in UCD Quinn School of Business.
UCDVO Manager Hilary Minch says,
“For just over 40 students (and two staff members), it was a summer with a difference. As part of our UCDVO Volunteer Programme, volunteers participated in several preparatory workshops from January to May (including health and safety, child safeguarding, team building and global citizenship education). In the summer they then volunteered with one of our partners in Tanzania, Cambodia and Ireland on health, education and sustainability projects. Looking ahead to 2027, UCDVO will continue to work with partners in Tanzania and Cambodia, and will be returning to work with partner projects in Uganda. In addition, we are excited to offer a local eco-system restoration project in Wicklow.”
Applications for the UCDVO Volunteer Programme 2027 open online on Wednesday 14 October 2026.
All welcome to our UCDVO Information Session on the 14 October 5-6pm in the UCD Village Auditorium.
