Projects Abroad Volunteer Programs in Romania

A small city in the Eastern European country of Romania is not where many people would go. However, for me, it was the most amazing 1-month experience I could have asked for and my choice to volunteer with Projects Abroad was the best decision ever. This summer I spent 1-month in a medical internship in Brasov, Romania through Projects Abroad. Preparing for my trip, I had no idea what to expect but the PA staff were with me from the time I considered a project. With frequent check-ups before my arrival in Romania, my friend and I felt ready to go to a new place. After travelling across time zones we arrived in Romania and it was unlike any place I had been before. The structure of the Projects Abroad program is what made it such a special experience for me. I lived with a host family and had a placement at a local care center for children with Down Syndrome. When I wanted more medical experience, the PA staff immediately gave me an opportunity to work in the local hospital as well with doctors and other Romanian college students. The freedom and flexibility of this program appealed to me the most. After being taught transportation and directions to work and the city center, we were responsible for attending every day. We could plan our own trips with other volunteers and if we ever had any questions, the PA office was just a 10 minute walk and the staff was more than happy to help plan. Romania was a place I had never before thought about going to, but ever since I returned to America, I can't stop talking about it. The friendships I made through my 1 month in Romania are more than I could have asked for. Projects Abroad was fantastic in every aspect of this trip and made my experience the way it was. Projects Abroad is a wonderful organization and I hope to participate in another program with them. I feel that everyone should participate in such eye-opening and life-changing experience.

I got to teach theatre to 11-19 year olds in schools in Brasov, Romania. It was beautiful, the people were great, the kids were excited, I couldn't have asked for a more rewarding experience.

When considering where to travel for my international volunteer experience Romania was an interesting choice because it seemed like the perfect mix of old and new. What I did not realize about this experience is how profoundly it would change my life. The memories that I have made while working with the children and staff at projects abroad will forever stay with me. For anyone considering volunteering abroad, either for themselves or school, I would strongly recommend projects abroad Romania. The experience and the staff were incredible and became like family while I was there, but like any experience remember to be open to those things that are different, retain a sense of humor when things go wrong and finally be adaptive and willing to change when things don't go exactly as planned.

Projects Abroad Romania is a life-changing experience, and it can't help but be with all the different kinds of people you meet, places you visit, and exploring there is to be done. The staff is incredible-they are always available if you need them and have lots of ideas and enthusiasm to help you with your area of volunteering. When I went I did the journalism internship and was able to accompany the writer & photographer of "Satul" a Romanian national magazine to many villages I otherwise wouldn't have been able to get to. The host families they pair you up with are great, usually a little more hands off. (Which can be nice). The program does a great job of tailoring the experience to what you, personally, are looking for. If you want your time fully structured they are equipped to do so, if you want time to explore some on your own-many P.A. volunteers travel together on weekends. Moreover, Brasov is a lovely medieval city surrounded by mountains and, according to Romanians, the best place to live.

August 2008, I spent a month in Brasov, Romania teaching English and I had a great time! Each morning I travelled by bus to a school on the edge of the city, I taught around 15 students for about 3 hours - I spent some time most evenings making worksheets by hand ready to photocopy the next morning. After lunch, I travelled outside of the city to a rural nearby town where I helped out at childrens summer centre - playing games, chatting to the children and helping with dance classes. In the evenings I met up with other volunteers who were doing the other Projects Abroad projects, and at the weekends travelled to several places including old forts, palaces, beautiful mountains, medieval towns, and even saw brown bears (running towards us before being chased by locals back into the woods - very exciting!)

I think Eastern Europe is sometimes overlooked by english teacher, but its a beautiful and diverse place, and a great place to start travelling!