Romania

Volunteer work in a school project in Romania

Q: How far in advance do I have to register?

Ideally your registration takes place at least 3-6 months before the desired departure date , But also short-term registrations are up 1-2 months before the planned departure is possible. But it could be that your dream project is already booked. In this case we will try together to find a suitable alternative for you.

Surrounded by nature
Varied activities
Joint excursions

Help to give socially disadvantaged children in Romania better opportunities! In this volunteer project you will support a local school in preparing and designing English lessons. In the summer months you can give the children an unforgettable time at the summer camp. With your help, they discover and develop their passions and motivation for learning!

Transylvania

from 16 years

4 - 44 weeks / from €1.350

Sunday

Quality education

Ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Project ID : FA-RU335

As a volunteer
Romania

4 - 44 weeks / from €1.350
to the cost overview

What's the matter?

Many students lack the motivation to learn English. Families from disadvantaged social classes in particular often do not have the financial means to afford private tuition for their children, for example. Likewise, many students in the region do not have too many opportunities to spend the long summer holidays in a meaningful way.

For these reasons, the organization welcomes committed volunteers who support the children and stimulate their interest in learning!

The agency was established in 2008. The schools you will be teaching in have around 100-300 children with class sizes between 15 and 25. Playgrounds and soccer fields are available here, as well as equipment in the form of projectors, microphones etc.

Summer camps are organized during the summer holidays from June to September. These take place in the surrounding villages and offer lots of variety and fun activities for the children. Usually around 30 children take part.

With this project, the organization wants to help disadvantaged children improve their English and boost their self-confidence. Creative lessons and games are designed to stimulate motivation to learn. In the lessons and summer camp, the children can playfully develop both their language skills and their social skills, while also discovering their own interests and potential. In addition, the work of the volunteers should open the children's eyes to cultural diversity, eliminate prejudice and create a positive mentality.

Your tasks as a volunteer

A lot of varied tasks await you in this social volunteer project. Of course, it is mainly about preparing lessons and activities for the children, who are between 6 and 16 years old. These can be, for example, index cards, songs or crossword puzzles. Through a fun and playful way of teaching English learning, the children follow more attentively and motivated.

You are not expected to teach entire classes, but act as a supportive force. If, on the other hand, you have already gained experience in teaching, you can discuss with the teacher whether you can also take on longer passages of the lesson.

In the summer holidays from July to September, your tasks look a little different, as you don't help in normal classes, but in a summer camp. Together with other volunteers you will prepare a program for the children with sports, crafts and artistic activities as well as team games and (English) study hours.

Lessons at school usually start at 8 a.m. and end at 14:30 p.m. at the latest. During this time you will work at the school. You will also need to prepare for the lessons, which should normally take XNUMX-XNUMX hours a day.

During the holidays, camps generally start at 10:00 am and end around 15:00 pm, except for some camps which are held throughout the day. In this case, the volunteers can work part-time.

Project Rules:

Be punctual and stick to the schedule worked out together with other volunteers
Pay attention to a friendly and positive language (please avoid swearing)
Think about what music you will play for the children beforehand
Don't promise the kids anything you may not be able to keep
Do not smoke and drink in the presence of the children
Don't let the kids use your cell phone - this has led to numerous fights between kids in the past

For the first lesson it is advisable to introduce your country and yourself. Bring typical and traditional things from your home country and in this way make the lesson a “show and tell” event.

Hungarian is predominantly spoken in this region. Try to learn the language a little from the children. Because when they see you trying, it often has the effect that they in turn try to try more English.

If possible, bring your own laptop. This is very helpful for preparing for lessons, as you can download, print and edit documents yourself.

Also consider cultural differences: For example, discipline in Romania is often a bit stricter. Misunderstandings should be cleared up during the end-of-day meetings.

Overall it would be very helpful for the project if you could take notes on the topics you taught and share them so that future volunteers can benefit.

Accommodation Catering

Your accommodation during your volunteer work in Romania

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Volunteer House in Romania

In the building for volunteers there are two apartments that are separated by gender. The female apartment sleeps 17 people and the male apartment sleeps six. Each apartment is equipped with working kitchens, a dining area, fridges, washing machines, bathrooms, wifi and a living room. Bed linen is provided, you bring your own towels.

When you enter the apartment, the kitchen and dining area welcome you. All cooking utensils are provided, as well as a microwave, toaster, french press and kettle. The washing machine is also in the kitchen.

On weekdays you get a warm meal and otherwise there is always enough food available so that you can prepare your own food. Twice a week you create a shopping list together and the caretaker then goes shopping.

Your new home is on a colorful street steeped in history. There are numerous shops and cafes along this street, including a grocery store within easy reach. Many establishments have free wifi if you are staying outside the accommodation. There is an ATM just around the corner next to the grocery store. Although you are right in the center of the city, it is a quiet and peaceful place.

One of the first things you'll notice is a small game hut that's used for volunteer activities, meetings, and dinners. It is a great addition to the available spaces where everyone can gather and get to know each other.

Location

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Transylvania

Our project location in Romania is in the eastern part of the Transylvania region, also known as Transylvania. Beautiful landscapes await you here between the volcanic Harghita Mountains and the Ciuc Mountains.

Transylvania is known to many for the legend of Count Dracula. Indeed, the region has a mystical vibe and in many places you will feel like you have stepped back in time. The region has an eventful history, which means that a large part of the population here speaks Hungarian as well as Romanian.

Located in the center of the country, Transylvania captivates with mountainous areas, medieval towns and castles. About 55% of Romania is covered by the Carpathian Mountains. The preservation of the flora and fauna in the nature reserves and national parks has top priority, which means that you can immerse yourself in untouched nature, discover remote villages and farms and enjoy the peace and quiet. The area around the project site is also very quiet and peaceful, despite being in the city center.

If you want to explore a less touristy area, with exciting history, unspoilt nature and fascinating castles and villages, then Transylvania is definitely something for you!

Your free time in Transylvania

After work and days off, you have enough time to relax and explore the area. Even in the immediate vicinity of the deployment site, there are many ways for you to organize your free time in a variety of ways. Take a hike through the surrounding villages, visit a beer factory or motivate other volunteers to go on a ranger tour in the forest. Other possible activities include paragliding, stand-up paddling, fishing, tennis, laser tag and paintball, among others.

Of course, this is only a fraction of what Romania has to offer and in fact the country has many unique attractions that you should not miss.

The Salina Turda is certainly an absolute highlight and a must for every traveler to Romania. As the largest salt mine museum in the world, which also includes an amusement park, the place is truly a vast underground wonderland. After you have descended a number of steps, an elevator takes you all the way down. Science fiction feeling guaranteed!

Of course, Transylvania is also extremely well-known for the legend of Count Dracula, who is said to have lived at Bran Castle. Even though Dracula wasn't a vampire but a prince and didn't live in the castle, the scary factor is high and the castle is definitely worth a visit. Consider a chilling tour of the vampire castle walls if you dare.

The so-called Transfagarascher Hochstraße is less well known but certainly no less recommendable. The spectacular high mountain road is often referred to as the most beautiful mountain pass in the world. Steep and winding, with a number of switchbacks, the pass winds its way across the Transylvanian Alps and rewards you with endless fun on the curves and fantastic views.

On-site procedure

Arrival in Romania

When you arrive in Bucharest, you will either be picked up from the airport or you can take the shuttle bus to your accommodation location, where a coordinator will be waiting for you. Whether you use one or the other driver service depends on what time you arrive. If the waiting time for the next shuttle is longer than two hours, you will be picked up privately (by a team member). The journey takes about four to five hours. If you arrive by bus, you can arrange a meeting point with the local team.

Please note: The project always starts on the first and third Monday of the month. Your arrival should therefore take place on the Sunday before.

Orientation program in Romania

After your arrival you will be shown everything in your accommodation and you will get a short introduction. A detailed orientation program on culture, location, social affairs and society begins on Monday morning. The whole of Monday is considered an orientation day and goes something like this:

It starts at 10 a.m., you introduce yourselves to each other and the volunteers can ask questions right away. You go to a restaurant for lunch. After that, from 15 p.m., new volunteers will be welcomed by "old ones" and you will take part in a city tour that lasts one to two hours. After the tour you can relax a little and enjoy your first evening. The next morning you can take part in a Hungarian lesson (included).

Your first day in the project

After the introductory program, you will start your work on the project. You will be instructed in the individual activities by one of the team members or an experienced volunteer and can then support you with the various tasks.

Pricing

base fee

€ 1.350, -
extension week

€ 165, - / week

up to 40 weeks respectively
Departure dates:

included
Services

Before departure

Individual advice and support from our trained RGV team in Munich
Organization including placement in the project and coordination of your stay on site
Assistance with preparation: visa, health care, travel insurance, etc.
Non-binding flight advice
Travel ABC with packing list for your travel preparation
RGV t-shirt

On site

Orientation program with the team on site
Support and guidance from the on-site team
RGV 24h emergency number
Project t-shirt to wear during on-site activities

Airport transfer on the agreed day of arrival
Accommodation in Volunteer Apartment

Meals: One hot meal (on weekdays) and groceries to prepare meals

After return

Participation confirmation of your voluntary commitment
Reflection course on your experiences abroad
Evaluation sheet and optional feedback discussion

useful additional services

not included
Services

Round trip
Private expenses on site
Excursions with microlight flights
Travel and cancellation insurance
Visa and Vaccinations
All nights outside your agreed accommodation
Public transport and extra transfers

Airport transfer on departure day

Individual Recommended additional offers
& must-haves

Would you prefer to stay in a single room? Are you vegan or do you have special requests for food? Or do you want to do some cool trips with other volunteers in your free time and explore the country?

With us, you benefit from a variety of optional additional services that you can add individually to your booking, depending on your preferences.

" Round Trip
Cheap flights with our flight partner thanks to volunteer rates.

" Insurance
Benefit from the 4 in 1 ERGO travel insurance.

"Volunteer Teaching Focused" online TEFL/TESOL course

245 €

Interactive online TEFL/TESOL course for volunteers
Intensive online TEFL/TESOL course (120h)

460 €

Interactive online TEFL/TESOL course
Personal development introductory course

Free of charge

Two tools to get you started on your personal development

Transylvania Team
site

Peter is the director of the institution and your contact person in most matters. He is originally from Romania, was born and grew up in the Harghita district. In the course of his life he has traveled to many countries and since then has been enthusiastic about different cultures and likes to bring them closer together.

Jackie is the founder of the organization and once worked as a volunteer. The beauty of the region and the sense of volunteering made her stay. Kinga is the project writer, Nikoletta is responsible for the accommodation and orsolya helps you as a volunteer coordinator.

RGV FAQ
to the project

How far in advance do I have to register?

Ideally your registration takes place at least 3-6 months before the desired departure date, But also short-term registrations are up 1-2 months before the planned departure is possible.

But it could be that your dream project is already booked. In this case we will try together to find a suitable alternative for you.

Can I travel with a friend or in a group?

Yes! On request we enable a double room if you for two with a friend or a friend, or an apartment or other suitable accommodation for groups.

We are very happy to enable our participants to go on a project and share accommodation with friends. Shared accommodation is usually possible both in the volunteer house and with the host family, although the room in the volunteer house may also be shared with other participants. In some locations there is also the option of sharing an apartment.

When registering, please always mention the person(s) traveling with you!

Can I combine projects?

Yes! You can combine projects at one location, at different locations, but also in different countries. It is also possible to combine a project with a trip. You can specify your desired combination directly when registering.

Combination options at a glance:

Combine programs in one country
Combine programs across countries
Combine a program with a language course
Combine a program with ours Adventure & Trips

There are a few things Project combinations to note: The minimum length of stay per project must be observed and you may incur additional costs for country combinations, for example for an intermediate flight.

What are the project fees used for?

Although we are a non-profit organization, there are costs associated with volunteering abroad. Find out here, why volunteering requires money and what your project fee is used for.

What language skills do I need for the project?

In order to be able to communicate well with the team on site, you should definitely have good English skills.

When does the project always take place?

The project takes place as a summer camp during the summer holidays from June to September.

What are the requirements for the social project?

There are no special requirements for participation. What is important is enjoyment of working with children, a sense of responsibility, exemplary behavior, use of appropriate language, initiative and empathy. Comfortable clothing appropriate for a children's center is recommended, as is clothing that can get dirty (when painting, for example). Smoking should not be allowed in the presence of children.

What do I have to bring?

The dress code places emphasis on modesty - so bring comfortable and not too revealing clothing and closed shoes.

General FAQ about volunteer work

Ready to volunteer in Romania? Start your adventure abroad with Rainbow Garden Village!

Rainbow Garden Village has been offering volunteer work and internships abroad since 1999. What started as a small student initiative in Ghana has now grown into an organization with over 250 projects around the world.

You can be sure that your work as a volunteer will be an unforgettable experience. Bring your commitment and your knowledge to do good locally - and at the same time benefit from the unique experiences that will promote your personal development.

Become part of our RGV community!
We look forward to you.

RGV Your way
to the volunteer

1
Choose your volunteer project and register online.

2
We will review your application and confirm your participation.

3
Prepare for your assignment online or in our preparatory seminar in Munich.

4
Here we go! During your volunteer work, we will support you at any time with our on-site team.

Gallery Impressions &
Impressions

School children write in a school project in Romania

The children doing sports in the fresh air

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