Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Romania

My 5-week volunteer placement in Brasov (Romania) was an extremely valuable experience for me.
In 2 different projects, where children and young people with special needs are cared for, I was able to take part in the daily routine from the beginning. The supervisors know English and were very eager to explain everything to me and met me with appreciation. It was a pleasure for me to deal with the children and young people and it was easy to get in touch with them (although I only know a little Romanian). Even if you don't have any experience in working with disabled people, if you enjoy working with children and playing, you are at the right placement. Every morning you will be welcomed with warmth and joy by the children.
The town of Brasov has a very charming and interesting old town center and is located in the Carpathian Mountains. The rural areas, the villages and castles around, invite you to explore. There is plenty of time to go on excursions by bus and get to know the country and its people.
Last but not least, I would like to mention the Projects Abroad team in Brasov. I was warmly welcomed right at the airport in Bucharest, had a personal guided tour in the "Old Town" on my first day, was invited to dinner and was given all the information about the place, the conditions, the project, etc. I am very grateful to them for their help.
During my assignment, I was in constant contact with the Project Abroad coordinator on site. She really took great care of my personal well-being. I was connected with other volunteers in a Whatsapp group and we could exchange our experiences and plan joint activities.

Last May I headed off for a month without anyone I knew with me to dig in the dirt. Hands down, it was the best experience ever. Projects abroad staff inside and outside (back in the UK) made me feel safe and protected but at the same time encouraged and allowed me to experience and learn a brand new culture of people who weren't tourist friendly. The country is beautiful and the supervisor's knowledge of the country and culture made me feel like I already knew the country!!
The good and accommodation was perfect for what I was using it for, basic hotel with food that was mixed with local produce and authentic Romanian dishes. It was all tasty!
I cannot wait to do another projects abroad project, it was one of my best decisions I've ever made.

While the concrete evidence of the impact of the the teachers aid program is difficult to gauge, the personal growth I experienced in Romania was unprecedented. It has been to this day one of the most challenging and exciting things I have ever done. The host families are great and the staff are amazing and really care about your experience. I found that they were constatl yg going out of their way to make sure that you were enjoying your time as much as possible. Local trips were weekly and the cultural immersion was complete ( I even woke up one morning to a traditional Romanian wedding party in our tiny apartment). Overall, if you measure this volunteer opportunity in personal growth and not the impact of the program itself, you won't be disappointed with the results.

Before I got started doing volunteer work in Alba Iulia, I had time to spend the first few days in the city of Brasov where I could freely roam and enjoy the city. Then I was moved to work in Alba Iulia on a site behind a local University which we would occasionally work inside of cleaning collected ceramics from the site we were digging up and carefully mapping out. This was more fun than I had anticipated, purely being amazed by just being in the lovely country itself. Being a big fan of History, I got a chance to visit some old castles thanks to projects abroad taking care of accommodations including the famous Castle Bram (Dracula's Castle). Totally worth the experience. Probably the nicest and certainly the most accommodating people I've had the pleasure to work with.

Although the price was understandably high, I am so, so grateful that I was able to go on this trip. I participated in the archaeology high school special and it was probably the best two weeks of my life. This was my first time going overseas without a family member, and I was terrified.

My first experience in the country was having the driver on the way to the hotel tell me that he took meth before coming to get me and then threatening to steal my kidneys. As you can probably guess, this did not calm my nerves. However, things did get better!

Everything about the country is peaceful. The mountain landscape is enough to calm even the most troubled soul. It was on this trip that I was truly able to relax and enjoy myself. My favorite thing to do was look out the window of my room and watch the people walk down below. I've never slept better than I did on this trip.

I love history. However, none of the other kids in my group seemed very interested. I have a feeling their parents made them go, which is a shame. I would suggest that, in order to get the most out of this trip, whoever goes should be interested in history. Also, you can't be afraid of hard work. Seven hours digging in giant pits is a long time for someone who's never held a shovel before. Thankfully, it's so much fun that time flies.

The people on the trip were also amazing. I shared a small room with two other girls and we got along surprisingly well. I didn't mind spending every second of my day with them. As a shy, introverted person, I was nervous about having roommates. Within a few hours of meeting the girls, I already considered them my friends.

Words can't describe how much this trip affected me. I'll cherish the memories for as long as I live.

In July 2016 I decided to leave the USA and volunteer with Projects Abroad in beautiful Romania. I was always interested in volunteering abroad and a friend recommended Projects Abroad. She spoke about the wonderful support of their staff, her life changing volunteer experience, and of how comfortable she felt during her time in Romania. Once I decided to volunteer I was immediately welcomed by Projects Abroad. Before I left for Romania my volunteer advisor, Carlos, emailed me several times to make sure I had all of my questions answered about accommodation, transportation, and general life abroad. Carlos was always available to answer questions any questions I had about Projects Abroad and my program in Romania.

When I arrived in Romania, I was greeted at the airport by one of the local Projects Abroad staff. Razvan was extremely helpful and I immediately felt at home. When I arrived at my host family's house he made sure I was all settled in and that if I needed anything I could always reach out. One of the best parts of my volunteer experience was my amazing host family. My "host mother" Rodica welcomed me into her home with a huge smile and I was happy that I practiced "hello" in Romanian so we could greet each other! Although there was a language barrier between us I knew that I could always come to her with any questions about my stay in Brasov. She was always available and she made sure I felt happy, safe, and that I was well fed! She made some of the best food I've ever eaten! I had no idea Romanian cuisine was so delicious! Staying with a host family in Brasov added another element to my volunteer experience that truly allowed me to immerse myself in the Romanian culture.

The Projects Abroad team in Romania helped me navigate my way through my volunteer program as I had many placements. One of the head coordinators, Ali, assisted me with my placements and she was always free to answer any questions I had about living and navigating Brasov. We quickly became friends!! She Overall, the entire Projects Abroad team was incredibly supportive and I will forever be thankful for them. Many times when I had questions or concerns they went out of their way to help me and make sure I was comfortable with all of my volunteer placements.

My experience with Projects Abroad allowed me to create life long friendships. Several of my fellow volunteers were from the United Kingdom, Australia, France, and the USA. During our free time from volunteering we took day trips together (visiting "Dracula's Castle" was a HUGE highlight) and shared coffee in the town square. We all bonded over our different volunteer experiences because each of us had a different focus for our projects. Overall, my volunteer opportunity in Romania allowed me to fulfill a lifelong dream: to give back to others in need. Projects Abroad was pivotal in helping that dream come true and I can't wait to hopefully visit a different volunteer location someday! After I left Romania I had the confidence and the experience to travel abroad to Poland where I am now teaching as an English teacher. I learned skills from my Projects Abroad program that has made me a better traveler, teacher, and a better person. Thank You Projects Abroad!

When one thinks of Romania, typically images of Dracula and monsters flood the mind. However, when I think of this beautiful country, I hearken back to the best August that I have had in my life. I joined Projects Abroad for a drama placement in August 2016, and it was an absolute milestone for me.

Projects Abroad offers a wide variety of volunteer options in multiple destinations. The accommodations are typically with local host families. The family that I stayed with in Romania was an older couple that did everything they could to make sure that I felt like a king. The kitchen was always filled with amazing victuals, the house was as tidy as a palace, and the family welcomed as though I were their own son: we did not speak the same language, but we didn't need to; true connections don't need the crassness of words.

My placements were truly rewarding. Even though there is no official drama session in August, Alexandra from the Projects Abroad office saw to it that I had worthwhile tasks to accomplish in Romania. She specially arranged a workshop where I taught two high school students how to write and produce their own videos. I also had the privilege of working as a mentor and caretaker at a foster home in Prejmer, a village about 40 minutes away from Brasov (the city closest to Dracula's castle). The children really looked up to me as a role model, an honor that I must confess I am not too worthy of. What is more, the director of the home asked me to record a promotional video, which any opportunity to document amazing people is one worth taking every time.

I have developed some amazing friendships in Romania, both with the other volunteers and the Projects Abroad staff. Every Thursday, we gathered together to hang out, discuss our placements, our futures, and every other topic under the sun. We all loved and respected each other: I am truly blessed to consider them a part of my extended family. While Romania does have quite a bit of scary places to visit (which you can do during weekends on a Projects Abroad trip), the real charm of this amazing nation lies within the people, and the best way to bond with the locals is undoubtedly through Projects Abroad.

I truly enjoyed my time volunteering at an orphanage in Romania, but it was certainly a challenging experience. It was my first time travelling abroad, and so I was quite apprehensive about all of the preparation and planning that was required. The staff at Projects Abroad assisted me with booking my airfare, generating fundraising ideas, figuring out the paperwork and visa requirements, and many other aspects of my travels. It was great to have them meet me at the airport upon my arrival to pick me up. I especially appreciated that the staff helped me with my communication with themselves and the other volunteers, by providing me with a phone and minutes. I was introduced to the city with a great guide who showed me how to exchange currency, pay for transportation, navigate my way around the city, learn some of the language, and helped make me feel comfortable in at my service site. I struggled with culture shock at first and getting used to the Romanian language, but the staff were always good at checking up on the volunteers and making sure that we were doing well. They gave us enough space as well, to make our experience individual and allowed us our freedom. I did not initially think that I would click with the staff at the orphanage that I served at, but after spending time there with another volunteer, I was able to get to know the children, and felt comfortable with going to my service on my own. It was always very comforting as well that the staff would often arrange for gatherings, meetings, and group service projects, so that we did not feel too isolated. I loved the family that I lived with in a home stay, and while some of them were unable to speak much English, they were so friendly and loving that I truly felt a part of their family. Overall, it was truly an incredible experience, and it was worth the challenges of language, culture shock, paperwork, jet lag, and other related aspects of travels to a different culture than my own.