Moldova, I love you!

I volunteered in Moldova through Projects Abroad for 3 months in the summer of 2008 and I still find myself enthusiastically talking about my experiences there to this very day. I didn't know anything about Moldova prior to going there and it was my very first big international trip alone. Looking back on it, I probably would have been a lot more stressed and nervous preparing for the trip if Projects Abroad wasn't as helpful and supportive as they were. A lot of logistical details were taken care of by them, such as accomodations, flight bookings, and travel insurance so that made everything much easier and allowed for more time to be excited. I also liked how I was able to pick the date of when I wanted to arrive and depart.

I was picked up at the airport by Projects Abroad staff and was brought to my first host family located in Chisinau. I spent my first month in that city doing a medical project, where I was able to spend time in different hospitals observing different procedures in various departments such as the children's burn unit and the face and jaw ward. I was able to stand in on many surgeries (I was surprised how close the doctors let you stand!) and while I saw some of the most heart-wrenching sights that I've ever seen in my life so far (especially in the burn unit), I am grateful for those opportunities since here in Canada, I probably wouldn't be able to get to see what I saw there. The doctors were very accomodating and Projects Abroad was great at placing you in different hospitals based on what you requested to see.

I spent the next 2 months in the village of Vadul lui Voda doing a care project where I helped at Motivatie, a centre for people with disabilities. I provided an extra pair of hands for the wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis program that was held every morning at a nearby gymnasium. My time in the village was definitely the most memorable and I became very close with my host family there. They were so hospitable and family-oriented and they treated me like I was a part of thier family right from the start. Even though there was a language barrier, we were still able to communicate and I did learn some of the Romanian language. They provided me with a true traditional Moldovan experience complete with delicious food, family celebrations, and goats on the streets.

This eye-opening experience was one of the most memorable experiences in my life. The people I met there were absolutely amazing and I learned so much. The Projects Abroad staff definitely helped me get settled in and they were readily available for any needed help and support. Weekly weekend excursions for the volunteers were also organized by the staff which was a great way to learn about the country and to meet the other volunteers. One definitely needs to be open-minded and be able to take things as they come while being here, as life can be a bit unpredictable and inconsistent, but that definitely adds to the fun of it all!