Connecting with Cambodian Culture

Two students created a project with the goal to help people from a Cambodian heritage to reconnect with their Cambodian culture by teaching them the Cambodian handwriting system. They formed a group of people interested in learning more about the Cambodian culture and met every Saturday and Sunday to receive instruction on how to read and write in Cambodian. The time frame for the project was not long enough for their group to become fluent in the Cambodian handwriting system; however, the students asserted that they achieved their project’s goal as everyone in their group gained a better understanding of their culture. When reflecting on their social engagement project, the students stated that, “We think critical thinking should be taught for any degree that students are going for. It teaches you to expand for mind, change the way you think, and open up new ideas…This class has taught us the many ways of thinking critically, and hopefully in the future it could teach you, too.”