Craig Dodge
EMAIL MELET CRAIG’S ADVENTURE BEGIN
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
— Mark Twain
Someone once told me that if there is a purpose to life, it’s to live, love and learn as much as possible. To experience as much as life has to offer. I definitely agree.
The adventure started back in junior high school with the first flight I ever took. My grandma and I flew from Michigan to Upstate New York to visit family. From that moment, I knew I wanted to travel the globe and experience as much as possible.
The adventure continued in college. I took courses in travel and tourism management, foreign languages, geography, international relations, trade and finance. During that time, I had the adventure of an overseas study program in France and a work-study program in Japan. Those experiences changed my life.
“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting “Holy shit, what a ride!”
-various
CRAIG’S ADVENTURE TIMELINE
Upon graduation, I embarked on a 20+ year adventure in the travel industry. I worked in travel agencies for 12 years and a major airline for 8. So far, I’ve traveled to over 23 countries, and helped others to experience the world.
2005: Moved to Taiwan and used my own language learning experience to help others learn English as a foreign language at Taipei Language Institute and Lado Management Consultants. Learning languages helps us to better understand other cultures, communicate with other people, and enjoy a richer life.
2012: Relocated to Cambodia to join Asia Adventures, a local tour company sharing unique biking, trekking and cruise experiences in Cambodia.
2013: Ran away with the circus…. Phare, the Cambodian Circus. Built the sales and marketing program, with a focus on e-commerce to assure the financial success of the social enterprise and its parent organization Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school.
2024: I retired from my full-time role at Phare, but currently remain as a consultant. I spend most of my time enjoying life in Siem Reap, Cambodia. My favorite activities are riding bike or hiking the jungle trails in Angkor Archaeological Park, or relaxing at home with Channy and our two dogs.
A role I continue into retirement is as Citizen Liaison Volunteer (CLV) for the US Embassy Cambodia. CLVs are private citizens who help the Embassy help U.S. citizens in need. CLVs assist American travelers in distress, communicate with American citizens living in the area and update the US embassy on conditions in the local area. This is an unpaid, voluntary position. CLVs are not official embassy representatives or government employees. American citizens living overseas are strongly encouraged to enroll in STEP: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. STEP is a free service that sends you email updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
FAMILY
“Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.”
One of the most difficult things about living overseas is being away from family. I’ve been so fortunate to come from an exceptionally loving family who is always there for each other no matter the direction in which life takes us.
Nowadays, my family is spread out all over the US and here I am in Cambodia. I’m very lucky, though, to be able to get back to the US once or twice a year to visit friends and family.
I look back at all the wonderful times we’ve had together as a family, not with sadness for what is passed, but with appreciation for the full life it’s given me. I’m very thankful for the Internet, MagicJack and Google Voice, which let me speak regularly with them.
PHARE, THE CAMBODIAN CIRCUS
A LOOK INSIDE PHARE CIRCUS
Uniquely Cambodian, Daringly Modern, Absolutely Transformative
Phare, The Cambodian Circus is not a conventional acrobatic circus, but uniquely Cambodian story-telling. The performers themselves develop the shows based on their real-life experiences. They draw from recent Cambodian history, folklore and modern society.
Phare Circus is more than just great entertainment, but a social enterprise that provides good jobs to at-risk Cambodian youth. Revenue generated supports Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school that provides free artistic and academic education and social outreach programs.
THE PHARE FAMILY
Phare, The Cambodian Circus is part of a larger social enterprise extension of Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school.
Phare Performing social enterprise
Phare Ponleu Selpak non-profit school
Phare Creative Studio
Design & Animation