Khmer language classes began Monday morning at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, after an opening ceremony with Vice Rector Hang Chanthon and the four Khmer teachers. Students arrived impressively dressed in the "uniforms" of Cambodian students at RUPP, then waited for their peers to arrive. Seth, Jake, and Phil relaxed in a tree just moments before the opening ceremony.

Pictured are Bailey and Trisha undergoing their initial oral language testing designed to place them in appropriate sections of the language course. Immediately after the opening ceremony and language testing, Khmer language classes began. Students were attentive and motivated to learn Khmer, now that they are living with host families. Teacher Meng is pictured here working with about half of the SSTers on how to speak with their families about eating, and Teacher Sisophantha animatedly introduces the day's lesson.

In the afternoon the group took tuk-tuks and bicyles south toward the Psaa Tuol Tumpong (Russian Market) area, where our afternoon lectures will be held. We heard from Poch Bunnak about "Cambodian Peoples and Cultures" in that initial lecture Monday afternoon. Students were particularly interested in hearing about Cham Muslims and the various indigenous tribal groups (the Tampoun and Jarai) since about six or seven SSTers likely will live with the tribal families in Rattanak Kiri Province for their service assignments. We ended Monday's class session as we will each day -- with processing group- and schedule-related questions.

On Saturday students all came by the Graber Miller home to process their first night with their Cambodian host families. There was enormous energy in the room and on the apartment's balcony (as well as some jet lag exhaustion) as students relayed stories about first encounters, cross-cultural learnings, initial meals, and attempts to communicate in Khmer. Sakhorn, who helped with housekeeping when the Graber Millers led the 2007 Cambodian SST, also was at the house Saturday. She'll be coming one day each week to assist with basic household work, and she'll also regularly make tuk groach c'hmaa (lime juice) for Mia and Simon since they remember her juice so fondly from 2007.

By Sunday everyone had settled in well and adjusted to their families. Four or five host families are Christian, so some students had the opportunity to go to church on Sunday. Most other families are Buddhist, and at least three or four students went to Buddhist temples (wats) with their families on the weekend. Phil Stoesz told the story about being blessed by a Buddhist monk, with powder smeared on his face and a blessing spoken over him.

Since several students already had gone to Wat Phnom, the oldest temple in Phnom Penh and the one after which the city is named, the Graber Millers also took a brief trip to the Wat Sunday afternoon. There monkeys run wild, eating whatever they are given (or they can take), and an elephant is available for rides around the Wat (we didn't ride).

Students are healthy and upbeat and seem to be thoroughly engaging the Cambodian experience thus far. This afternoon (Tuesday) we'll be visiting the National Museum and Royal Palace here in the capital. Watch for another likely blog post by the weekend.