Experience in Phnom Penh, Cambodia by A Veit

What is it like to live in Phnom Penh? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

phnom penh is a capital city of Cambodia. It's quite crowded but a lot of facilities you can find.

What is the student lifestyle like in Phnom Penh?

Well, it's center of education i can say because most of the big universities located there. And most of students moved from provinces and rural area to go there.
So there are variety of students.
Student schedule normally hectic but it's depend on how they manage it.
Student normally have group study, i can say like all the classmates or some across departments they know each other.
It means like they like to make friends and study.

How much does it cost to live in Phnom Penh?

it doesn't cost much to stay there, especially for student. You can rent a room which can live for one or even two people with the price around $50 per month. It's not totally comfortable but it is good and affordable for student life. And the variety of renting is wide, so you can choose and decide with the cheapest about $30 per month or up to $200 if you want to have a nice one.
But in my opinion, it's really easy and cheap to have accommodation there.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Phnom Penh? Is there any advice you can give?

Not really.
The price ranged from $30 to $200... per month depend on how you love to expense with the variety of accommodation.
You can rent a flat, room, and even in hotel.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Oh super cool.
Food is every where. You can try our local food, traditional food, with variety of meat, fishes , we have seafood in which i found in some European countries is super expensive.
Aside from local food, there are also food from different kind of restaurants, KFC, we have Cafe,...
You will also experience some nutritional rich food like Insects, ( that most european found it disgusting). BUT, believe me: it doesn't taste like it look.
Our food is rich in healthy ingredients, species, herbs, soups,...
If you don't want to eat out in restaurant there are some food stores that you can buy ready to eat food and rice if you are busy and don't have to cook and lazy to eat out.
Moreover, if you want to try cooking, just take a walk or motor tuk tuk to local markets, you can buy fresh fishes, vegetables, ..... and make your skilled cooking at home.
There's more to tell, you can also have evening eating gathering with friends after class or when you are stressful in Street food. I know you might found it not so hygienic but some stores are super delicious and hygienic. And it's sooo cheap even compare to pizza here.
Come to me, I love almost all of food there. We have a lot of choices to change for everyday eating. I love cooking some of our local food when i'm free and buy ready to eat food from stores when i'm busy especially during exam period.
There's still a lot more to try and i cannot describe it. You will have to experience it yourself and tell me how you find it.

What places would you recommend visiting in Phnom Penh?

Well, it's a capital city of Cambodia but it also have many touristic places. You should visit Royal Palace, Museum, River bank ( you can take boat and see the view or having party on the boat: not expensive and so cool, i experienced as well). Museum of Khmer Rough ( especially if you are really want to know about the history of our local war and it's a big tragedy that among world we have :( ), you can visit night markets ( a lot of souvenir), Biggest shopping mall called Aeon, ... there are places you can explore beside that.
Plus, I would strongly recommend to visit as well my hometown which is Siem Reap province. There's massive of visiting places, especially for those who interested in Ancient temples, ( Angkor Wat), night market, Pub street ( the most favorite places for tourists especially European people). Aside from that in Cambodia, if you really love sunbathing, come on, The sea, we have few big seas and romantic places like islands, seaside, water fall..... waiting for you to visit.

Is it good to eat out in Phnom Penh? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Sure it's. There are a lot of marts, restaurant, street food, ready to eat stores...
And you can also go to clubs, pubs... with many kinds of food serving.
And it's not so expensive.
Oh, i'm not a rich person. But i have a simple life that i find it not affordable to survive in there.
I like street food, go to ready to eat stores.

Is the nightlife good in Phnom Penh? Where is good to go?

well, i have some friends from French during my study in Phnom Penh. And they really love nightlife there.
You can go to drink in pubs, dance in the clubs.
But honestly i never go to those places.
And what i feel bad about nigh time enjoying is security.
It's not really safe to stay out late night.

What advice would you give future students heading to Phnom Penh?

Well, you should prepare yourself to experience new completely different things from your country.
And it's a nice thing if you have some friends or school mate contacts in there. You can ask them to guide you first maybe.
And don't worry, people there are so friendly but also some individual maybe not. And for myself, I really love and happy to talk to foreigners.
And be friendly, but not too kind.
And be aware of the prices of things, food or stuff before you go.
It's not generally, but some people they are like increasing the price to foreigners because they think you are rich especially from Europe... But not all, just minority. That's why i said it would be great if you know someone there. Like Erasmus buddy :) .
And finally, I would say, it's never enough just to tell unless you go and see it yourself.
Just like my life here in Europe, before i was just imagine every moment how it will be like.
And best of luck to your visit and stay.