Projects Abroad in Romania

  Romania

Brasov

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: Inquire for dates

Description: Romania, in Eastern Europe, is a unique and wonderful place to complete a volunteer project or internship. The outstanding scenery, biodiversity and paradoxes of a country that is in the process of economic and cultural change will mould the experiences on any trip to Romania. This country, which is slightly smaller than the UK, occupies the heart of Eastern Europe but has a unique Latin culture.

Our projects in Romania are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.

Projects Abroad Romania has its office in the historic city of Brasov, capital of Transylvania. A wide range of overseas voluntary work placements are available in Teaching, Care, Journalism, Veterinary Medicine, Archaeology and Drama projects.

Your Romanian hosts will make sure that you eat heartily, and there will be plenty of local wines to try its common to find yourself sitting down to Sunday lunch at 1pm and not getting up until 5pm! They may feed you mamaliga, a corn bread which seems to come with every meal or ciorba, a spicy soup. There is also sure to be lots of good conversation during meal times.

Volunteer Opportunities in Romania

Care - We cannot pretend to remedy the serious social and economic conditions in the countries where we work and send volunteers. But the care work placements we arrange - in orphanages, day care centers, hospital wards and homes for the elderly - make a difference to children and older people who would otherwise lack opportunities for one-on-one social interaction.

Conservation - The pine-clad mountains surrounding the city of Brasov in Transylvania are home to many interesting species of plants and animals including wild carnations and Europe's only big cat, the elusive lynx. Both the carnation and the lynx are on the red endangered list. There are also bears in the forests. We work with the local forestry department and conservation organizations helping to protect the delicate ecosystems of Transylvania's Carpathian Alps.

Teaching - Romania was one of the countries where Projects Abroad started - our first volunteers went out in 1992. Following the revolution of 1989 everyone realized the importance of learning English. The problem is many of the best qualified English teachers are tempted by higher wages outside of the classroom. If you can speak English in Romania, it is the key to a good job.

Archaeology - Volunteers are working with the National Museum of History to investigate ancient Dacia and the medieval principality of Transylvania. The Carpathian mountain sites have already yielded some remarkable information about the time of the infamous Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula.

Journalism - Run by Projects Abroad, The Brasov Visitor is the sister publication of the Sivakasi Times in India. Welcoming volunteers of all abilities, a placement on the Brasov Visitor gives volunteers huge scope for journalistic experience and a real insight into life in the mountainous Romanian province of Transylvania. One day you might interview a local politician, the next you may be sampling the delights of a new restaurant in town. The publication is written in English and is proving popular amongst the locals and visitors alike.

Veterinary - This placement is perfect if you are thinking of becoming a vet or veterinary nurse, or are already on a course. Based in a busy veterinary practice in Brasov, the English-speaking vets will be able to give you the breadth of their experience. Our Projects Abroad Romania staff will place you with a vet who will act as your daily supervisor. All the vets are keen for you to get involved - the more enthusiasm and interest you show the more opportunities they will give you.

Drama - If you have a passion for acting and amateur dramatics then we have the perfect project for you in Romania. You will be leading workshops, coaching drama groups and learning techniques to teach English through drama. Volunteer by sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm with young artists while exploring theatrical practices abroad.

We also offer a 14-hour language plus course to help you get accustomed to the local language. Its very rewarding to learn a language abroad while you are living the local lifestyle of your chosen country. Our language courses offer a combination of personally tailored lessons and daily opportunities for practice. You will also be able to practice what you are learning in your daily volunteer placement. Consequently you will make good progress and may surprise yourself how quickly you are able to grasp a new language.

For high school students between the ages of 16 and 19 we offer the unique opportunity for two-week summer specials in our journalism, photography and archeology placements.

Highlights: Romania has a unique Latin culture, in the heart of Eastern Europe. Projects Abroad is based in and around the historic city of Brasov, capital of Transylvania. Brasov is set in the mountains with its ski resort nearby, and it has a strange combination of impressive historical squares and palaces next to communist tower blocks.

Romania is due to join the European Union in 2007 - but remains influenced and scarred by its history. The impact of the revolution in 1989 was huge. The dictator, Nicolae Ceacescu, who was killed in the bloody revolution, is still much talked about and remembered with a variety of emotions. To live in Romania is to discover a developing capitalist society, alongside peasant subsistence.

Our office is in the center of Brasov. There are a wide range of different restaurants and bars on offer within a short walk, or it is easy to get around the city with frequent buses and trolleybuses.

Your Romanian hosts will make sure that you eat heartily and try out their local wines. You may find yourself sitting down to Sunday lunch at 1pm and not getting up until 4.30pm! They will feed you Mamaliga, a corn bread which seems to come with every meal or Ciorba, a spicy soup. There is also sure to be lots of good conversation throughout the meal.

Brasov is a great stepping off place for traveling around Romania or Eastern Europe. You may want to spend your weekends visiting Bran Castle where Dracula lived or skiing at Poiana Brasov. There are painted monasteries in Moldavia. The beaches of Constanta also come well recommended. There are many opportunities for economical travel in and around Romania.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be 16 years old and submit 1 letter of recommendation.

Cost in US$: from USD 2,445 and up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Romania Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992