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Volunteering in Romania: Children and Village Life in the Carpathian Mountains |
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Program Number: |
18286RJ |
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| Start
and End Dates: |
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| Duration: |
15 nights |
| Location: |
Romania
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| Price starting at: |
$2,047.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city |
| Program Type:
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Service Learning
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Activity Level: |
t (see description) |
| Meals: |
41;
14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners |
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Spend 10 days living and working at a Romanian orphanage near Valea Screzii, a slow-paced village nestled in the Carpathian foothills. Support the farm, interact with the children and take on a variety of tasks while experiencing Romanian life and culture. Explore historic castles in Transylvania and learn of Romania’s turbulent past. Then spend two days in modern-day Bucharest to trace its cultural and economic recovery.
Highlights
• Assist with orphanage work in the daytime, then interact with children in the orphanage in the evening.
• Visit four Transylvania castles, including Bran Castle — commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle” — for insight into the country’s past.
• Explore the historic capital of Bucharest, once called the “Paris of the East,” to examine its economic and cultural resurgence.
Activity Particulars
Physical work at orphanage. Walking 2-3 miles on city streets.
Program in remote village, three hours from city. Single rooms available at hotels in Bran and Bucharest, not at orphanage. The orphanage is part of a larger organization that is a home for many people. There are other types of residents staying on the grounds.
Listening devices not available.
Itinerary Summary
Arrival Bucharest; coach to Valea Screzii, 5 nights; coach to Bran, 2 nights; coach to Valea Screzii, 5 nights; coach to Bucharest, 2 nights; departure.
Overnight flight from the U.S.A. | 1 night | Arrival Bucharest | Coach to Valea Screzii | 5 nights |
Enjoy a welcoming dinner at the orphanage. Then engage in a variety of daily tasks that will benefit the orphanage. At night, spend time with the children and hear their stories. Enjoy the opportunity to help them with evening homework. A Romanian language lesson will provide additional insight into the culture. A local priest explains the Romanian Orthodox faith, including its beliefs, practices and role in villagers’ daily lives.
Delight in an exploration of Transylvania, which abounds with castles and a cultural past integral to Romania’s history. Visit four castles, including Peles Castle, a neo-Renaissance castle considered to be one of the most beautiful in Europe, and Bran Castle — also known as “Dracula’s Castle” — perched on the Bran Pass. Learn the history of Brasov’s Black Church, built in 1384 and standing as the main Gothic-style monument in the country.
Coach to Valea Screzzi | 5 nights |
Resume daily tasks in morning and afternoon to benefit the orphanage. Spend time with the children, pitching in with evening homework. Hear a local craftsman explain his work, its importance to him and how it relates to the culture and life of the local people. Enjoy a farewell dinner and goodbyes with the children.
Coach to Bucharest | 2 nights | Departure |
In evolving Bucharest, explore "The Little Paris" to find a 300-year-old church near a steel-and-glass building in a city of 2 million whose population is expected to double in 10 years. Explore the Palace of the Parliament, the world’s largest civilian administrative building, the Arcul de Triumf and the Village Museum, a collection of Romanian peasant homes. Share stories during a farewell dinner.
Romania
Medieval castles and fortresses mingle with traditional villages and modern life, from Romania’s capital city of Bucharest to the infamous region of Transylvania. This strong spirit of preservation extends to the country’s natural wonders as well — its care for the Danube River Basin and pristine forests makes Romania the third-most biodiverse location in the world.
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Accommodations
Valea Screzii: House on orphanage grounds, double rooms, shared bathrooms, communal living area. Other: Centrally located hotels.
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| Road Scholar Instructors | | These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur. | Melanie Tanase
| | Melanie Tanase and her husband Mihail run the Pro Vita Orphanage in Romania. Melanie and Mihail are renowned for the opportunities and care they provide for the children who live at the orphanage, as well as other programs they operate for those in need in the local community. They coordinate volunteer programs for those who wish to lend a hand, including Road Scholar participants, and enjoy the opportunity to meet volunteers from around the world and share the Romanian culture with them. | | | |
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