Volunteering in Romania

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.