When I woke up at 4 a.m. on the morning of my departure, I was surprisingly not very nervous. My father took me to the bus station, and from there I travelled to Basel Airport. Since it was my first time flying alone, everything felt quite new. After arriving in Bucharest, I explored the city for a few hours before meeting two other German volunteers. Together, we travelled by train and bus to Csíkszereda (Miercurea Ciuc), where we met the other volunteers at our accommodation.
I settled in very quickly and got along well with everyone from the beginning. During the first few weeks, we did many different activities together and got to know each other better. One of our first activities was a hike to the Belvedere Tower in Șumuleu, where we enjoyed the view of the surrounding area. We also went to a trampoline park, which was a lot of fun.
Another highlight was our trip to Sighișoara. We explored the beautiful old town, visited Dracula’s house and enjoyed some really good food. I really liked the atmosphere of the town, and it was great to discover another part of Romania together.
We also went on a weekend trip to Constanța, on the Black Sea coast. It was nice to spend some time by the sea and explore a different part of the country.
Overall, I feel very comfortable here. I have already developed a daily routine, know my way around the city and feel much more settled than I did at the beginning. Surprisingly, I have barely felt homesick so far. I really enjoy spending time with the other volunteers, and I am looking forward to all the experiences that are still ahead of me.
I arrived in Csíkszereda a month ago, and a lot has happened already.
I chose to come here mainly for the mountains, the nature, and this unique region in Romania with its strong Hungarian culture. I wanted a total change of scenery, to live in a community, and to challenge myself, especially with English. It’s completely different from my life before, and I knew it would be a new adventure.
My project here is called Community Inclusion. I’m going to run Quiz Nights and Language Clubs to create some fun moments with the locals. I like the idea of bringing people together through games and activities. You don’t always need to speak the same language perfectly to have a good time with someone.
The language barrier is real, but people are cool about it. The other day at the supermarket, I totally stumbled over my words trying to say thank you. The cashier smiled and was just happy I tried to speak her language!
One of the biggest challenges for me so far has been adapting to working in English. It’s one thing to study a language, but it’s completely different when you have to use it every day to communicate, understand instructions and work with other people. And then there’s learning Hungarian through English, which makes things even more complicated! Sometimes my brain has to work twice as hard just to understand what’s going on. But I guess that’s part of the experience, and I’m slowly getting used to it.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that people here seem quite reserved and not always very outgoing at first. It’s quite different from where I come from, in the south of France, where people are generally more expressive and outgoing. It’s interesting to discover these cultural differences and to learn that people can communicate and connect in very different ways. I’m still getting used to it, but I think it’s an important part of living in another country.
One of my favourite moments this month was a walk in the forest. We walked all the way up to a viewpoint, and the view from the top was incredible. It was one of those moments when you can just stop for a while, look around and enjoy where you are. I came here partly for the nature and the mountains, so moments like this remind me why I wanted to experience life in this region.
Living here is also an opportunity to discover a different way of life, meet people from different backgrounds and learn things I wouldn’t have learned by staying in France. Of course, adapting takes time, especially when you have to communicate in a language that isn’t your own. Some days are easier than others, but every day is an opportunity to learn something new.
I still have a lot to discover, both about Romania and about myself. I hope to improve my English, become more confident when communicating with others and create some great moments through our activities. I also want to explore more of the region, spend more time in nature and learn more about Hungarian culture.
I just hope people feel my good vibes and enjoy the events. It’s only been one month, and there’s still a long way to go, but I’m curious to see what the next few months will bring!
Starting my European Solidarity Corps experience in Romania has been a mix of excitement, new experiences, and meeting many new people. From the moment I arrived, I knew that these next few months were going to be something different and special.
My journey started when I arrived at Bucharest Airport. From there, I met the French volunteers who were also going to Miercurea Ciuc. We had a long journey ahead of us, but it was nice to already have people to travel with and start getting to know each other. We arrived in Miercurea Ciuc around midnight. Even though it was late and everyone was tired from traveling, we finally got to meet the rest of the volunteers. Instead of going straight to sleep, we decided to spend some time together and played UNO while getting to know each other. It was a simple but fun way to start our experience and break the ice.
The next day, we had lunch with our coordinator which gave us an opportunity to talk and get to know him and the other volunteers better. After that, we went on a city tour with another volunteer. We got to see different parts of Miercurea Ciuc and learn more about the place where we would be living and working. As the days went by, we started feeling more comfortable with each other and with our new surroundings.
One of the best parts of the beginning of the project was getting the chance to explore different places in Romania. Some of the volunteers went on a trip to Brașov, where we were able to discover another beautiful Romanian city. It was a great opportunity to spend time together outside of the project and experience something new. We also had a trip to Sighișoara, this time with all of the volunteers. Exploring the city together was a really fun experience, and it gave us the chance to create memories as a whole group.
During the beginning of our project, we also took part in our On-Arrival Training. It helped us understand more about the European Solidarity Corps, our responsibilities as volunteers, and what we can expect from our experience. We also started doing team reflections, where we could talk about how things were going, share our thoughts and experiences, and discuss things that we could improve. I think these reflections are important because they help us communicate better and understand each other as a team.
These first days have already given me many new experiences. I have met people from different countries, explored new places, learned more about Romania, and started becoming part of a new community. Even though everything is still new, I am excited to see what comes next. I know there will be challenges, but I also know there will be many more opportunities to learn, grow, and create memories that I will remember for a long time.
Information: As I wanted to focus on truly expressing my thoughts, I wrote the blog post in German and then had it translated to English with DeepL.com 🙂
Imagine you’ve absolutely no idea at all what you want to do after school, and actually, volunteering doesn’t sound too bad either (everyone does it in one way or another anyway, and it looks quite nice). The thing is, at a certain point, time starts to run out – when August suddenly begins and then, of course, comes to an end at some point, and at some point, in theory, university would start and various deadlines would come up.
In my case, at least, I’d been registered on the European Youth Portal since last winter, but I’d received quite a few rejections and’d completely given up hope that a volunteering placement through the ESK (= European Solidarity Corps) would work out from early/mid-September. When I then received an enquiry from Care2Travel at relatively short notice, I thought to myself, ‘I’ve got nothing to lose anyway’ ‘Why not?’ Long story short: after a phone call and a few emails, it became clear that in less than three weeks I’d be taking part in a volunteering project in Transylvania for 8.5 months. And that’s actually quite a cool thing – short notice or not, I was pretty lucky to have got into a project at all. So thank you!
And because this is my first blog post, and rambling on about the first three or four weeks here (we’ve actually been here that long already) would make the whole thing a bit too much, I’ll pick up where I left off: the journey here. For me, that was actually quite special. I actually set off two days before my actual arrival date, as I travelled the entire route from Aschaffenburg to Csíkszereda by train.
From Aschaffenburg to Munich, where I stayed with relatives, I set off early on Sunday morning for Vienna, where I got to know Vienna Central Station during my five-hour wait (it’s really big and quite nice, but on Sundays most of the shops were closed – a bit of a shame, really 😦 ).
At 7 pm, I finally boarded the first night train of my life, which took me to Brașov in 15 hours. I’d recommend giving the experience a go in itself, but unfortunately, at least in the seated compartment, I didn’t sleep all that well with two men snoring loudly right next to me, bright train lights, the occasional horn, and regular ticket and passport checks. Otherwise, though, it was brilliant. Joking aside, the journey wasn’t exactly comfortable, but most of the people I met on the train were really nice and helpful. Plus, it’s just a cool experience to have, and of course it’s a more climate-friendly way to travel than by plane.
Having arrived in Brasov with my huge suitcase, I hopped on a two-hour regional train and, before I knew it, I’d reached Csíkszereda after 2.5 days. I was very pleasantly surprised by everything there (meeting other volunteers, the town, the accommodation – by the way, I’m the only one with a single room…). But to wrap things up, I’d say those are stories for another day – or rather, another post 🙂
It feels really good to be here again and to continue something that already feels familiar. I’m honestly so happy that I got this opportunity to return, because this time I didn’t have to start everything from zero. I already knew the place, some of the people, the routines, and even some of the chaos. And I’m really looking forward to gaining even more experience, especially now that I already have some to build on. But probably the best part of coming back is the people.
I somehow already got myself a new little family here. We have our own group, we go to karaoke nights, have parties, stay up talking about everything and nothing, and somehow end up having the deepest conversations at the most random times. We are even planning a trip together to the Black Sea, which still feels a little crazy when I think about how recently we met. I feel really comfortable and loved here.
We also had some very important terms and conditions for our group: the boys had to be dressed as girls if the wanted to come with us. Obviously, they agreed.
We also had a trip to Sighisoara, which was funny because I had already been there before, but it somehow felt completely different this time.
And I think that is one of the things I’m learning from coming back. Sometimes it’s the same place, the same streets, the same activities, but the people you experience them with completely change the way you see them. You notice different things, make different memories, and somehow the same place gets a new meaning. I’m also really happy about my project group. Us, the Powerpuff Girls are already becoming another important part of this experience, and I’m really curious to see what we will create together. There are already so many new memories, people and stories, and I’m really looking forward to everything that is still waiting for us.
That’s what my family and friends said when they first found out where I was going.
This volunteering experience was my first one. And I’m not even talking about living in another country. On my own. Without my family. Without my parents.
Secretly, that was exactly what I wanted.
My life before volunteering looked chaotic. Part-time jobs here and there. Courses to become a writer, an interior designer, or even a programmer. If you say I was lost and had no idea what to do, you’d be right.
Like most teenagers, I thought my youth was already over and that it was time to build an independent life of my own. It might sound strange, but I even thought it was too late for me to go to university. P.S. I’m only 19. And I graduated two years ago.
I found an ESC platform when I was 17. I wanted to wait a few months until I turned 18, but something changed. The right time came exactly two years later. You have no idea how difficult it was for me to apply and prepare for the interview about the project. I had no expectations at all. I just wanted to run away.
And on March 25, three weeks after my nineteenth birthday, I received an email saying that I had been accepted. And on May 12, I was already on a train, with no idea what was waiting for me.
I knew these four months would change me, but I had no idea how much…
HONEYMOON
Everything feels exciting and new. You explore, meet people, discover the culture, and may idealize the new environment.
New people from all over the world. English everywhere. Far away from home, where you don’t depend on anyone. Summer was just beginning. It was the embodiment of my dreams.
Nature all around me. Sports. Running. Hungarian and Romanian history, culture, language, and food. Kind and open people. Everything was just beginning. I was filled with the perfect amount of new experiences.
We went for walks, rode bikes, went hiking, ate ice cream, and had movie nights.
Volunteers from the USA, France, Germany, Romania, Italy, and the UK.
Warning
During our first days, we had our On-Arrival Training, and the most important thing I remembered from it was the cultural adaptation cycle.
Whenever I was in a bad mood, I thought that this must be the homesickness or culture shock stage. Funny enough, everything was still ahead of me.
The training saved me. It warned me about what was waiting for me.
I held on for a long time. I enjoyed every single day. It was amazing. So many friends, parties, concerts, music, dancing, hugs from children, trips, and new memories.
CULTURAL SHOCK
The novelty wears off and differences become more noticeable. Things that seemed interesting can become annoying or exhausting. You may experience homesickness, loneliness, irritation, confusion, or feeling like you don’t belong.
Everything I had enjoyed here started to turn into something completely different for me.
Did I enjoy exploring new cities? I went to Paris! But came back home crying on the way…
Why? Because I missed home.
I changed places to live quite often. I didn’t have a home anywhere. This is something you face when you grow up in one country and then move to another.
I grew up in Ukraine, and when I was 15, I moved to Poland. My home was simultaneously in two countries. And in more than ten apartments and houses. My friends were left behind in the eight schools I had changed, and I didn’t keep in touch with any of them because I was afraid that sooner or later I would have to leave them again.
That’s exactly what travelling made me realize. Trips mean nothing to me if there is nowhere to come back to. And I’m not talking about a physical home.
My home
Have you ever stopped to think about what home actually is? What kind of word is it? What does it mean? Is it something physical or something spiritual?
I always thought it was the place where you sleep at night. Even if you stay there for only a week or two. I’m on holiday for ten days? Okay, this is my home now.
But in Romania it wasn’t for ten days. It was for four months. And yet, over time, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong anywhere.
Where do I actually belong? That’s what a house with 26 volunteers made me wonder. (It was only like that for two weeks, don’t worry.) People who change every two weeks.
Is my place in Poland? Ukraine? Romania? Maybe I should move to the USA or Spain?
But it was never really about a country, a city, or an apartment. It was about the feeling of home inside you. The feeling of safety, wherever you are.
I can’t say that during these four months I managed to build that feeling inside myself. This experience gave me the materials for construction, along with plenty of advice, hidden tricks, and life hacks on how to do it. And from here, it’s up to me.
(Here’s the photo of the cat that gave me lots of emotional comfort!!)
ADAPTATION
You gradually understand how things work, develop routines, make connections, and become more comfortable with the environment. You don’t necessarily love everything, but you can navigate it.
Well. We had parties every weekend during the first stage. Then came the weekends when I slept for twelve hours (or even more) during the second stage.
At this stage, I noticed that I was leaving my room more often. Going outside again. Joining group outings and shared dinners.
The volunteers around me started to feel more like family. They stopped annoying me. I started seeing the depth in them.
It wasn’t a quick way out of depression. You know when you’re drowning and you fight with all your strength, trying to stay afloat? Then you give up and sink to the bottom. And afterwards, the air slowly pushes your body back up to the surface. That’s what it felt like. From the bottom, my body was slowly rising back to the surface.
Real connections
It was at this stage that I felt a real connection with my friends. Especially the German ones 😅. They say you find out who your real friends are in difficult times? I can confirm that from personal experience!
We cried together on the veranda of the house, hugging each other. Two exhausted people, each carrying their own problems and worries. But when we hugged, everything suddenly felt so small.
There it was. My home. Among people with whom I feel safe enough to cry, to show my face without makeup, with unwashed hair. To laugh so hard that I can barely breathe and fall over. Or to eat and have something stuck between my teeth. Whatever.
They judge you too, somewhere inside their heads, or sometimes even out loud. But somehow, it doesn’t feel painful. Tell me if you know why.
INTEGRATION
The new environment starts to feel natural. You can function confidently and may feel that you belong in both the new environment and your original one. You develop a more balanced perspective rather than seeing one culture as simply “better.”
During this period, I finally saw a way to combine my life before volunteering with the life I had built here. I thought they were incompatible. I worried about what would happen when I went back. How would I live? (I still don’t know, but trust the process.)
Plans for the future started to take shape. There were many questions about where to go and what to do next. I created a lot of new things during this stage, even when I didn’t know how.
And this was where I saw myself from a different perspective. I discovered interests I hadn’t noticed before. I became more drawn to writing, learning, structure, and office work.
But the most important thing I discovered was how to get my years of youth back. This experience, and the time I spent with people my age, made me realize that I’m only at the beginning of my journey.
For some reason, before this, I felt embarrassed to actually act my age. What freedom and relief it was to finally allow myself to be young and free.
These feelings are coming home with me.
THE END
But it is never really the end. It is just the beginning of a new stage.
My life didn’t become any less chaotic (quite the opposite), but I started to see freedom in that. The freedom to be myself. To be whoever I am right now. Because without accepting the present version of yourself, there can be no future version.
Thank you to everyone who was with me on this journey. Thank you to the people I met. Thank you for the motorcycle and the bracelet. Thank you for the conversations at Kultera. Thank you for the company and board games. Thank you for the work, volunteering, project, and opportunities. A huge thank you for the trips.
And thank you for accepting me exactly as I am, Romania!
Adios, Medeia.
But I’m not saying goodbye to you. We’ll see each other again!
It feels a little strange to write this because, somehow, we have reached the end. When I first started this experience, I don’t think I really understood how much it would become a part of my everyday life. At the beginning, everything was new the people, the routine, the activities, the responsibilities and even the small things that I now take for granted, only the place was the same. And now, after all this time, it feels strange to think that I won’t be coming back to the same routine anymore.
When I think about this experience, one of the first things that comes to my mind is the summer camps. There is something really special about spending a whole week with children who are excited about every little thing. Of course, there were tiring days, chaotic moments and activities that didn’t go exactly as planned, but there were also so many moments that made everything worth it. The games, the laughter, the random conversations, the creative activities, the songs, the competitions and even the little arguments between the kids are memories I know I will look back on and smile.
I think one of my biggest realizations is that you don’t always notice the impact you have while you’re in the middle of an experience. Sometimes you are just trying to get through the day, organize the next activity or make sure everyone is having fun. But then a child remembers something you taught them, comes to you excited to show you something they made, or simply asks when you are coming back. Those small moments reminded me why I was there in the first place.
Of course, this experience wasn’t perfect, and I don’t want to pretend that it was. There were difficult moments too. There were times when I felt uncomfortable, misunderstood or like I didn’t completely belong. Some situations challenged me more than I expected, and there were days when it was difficult to separate the work from how I was feeling personally. But I think those experiences were also part of my journey. They taught me that not every situation will be easy, not every person will understand me, and not every experience will look the way I imagined it would. Most importantly, they taught me how to keep going, adapt and learn from things even when they are difficult.
I also learned a lot about myself. I became more confident in taking responsibility, working with others and dealing with unexpected situations. I learned that plans can change five minutes before an activity and you still have to find a way to make it work. I learned to be more patient, more flexible and more comfortable with not always knowing exactly what will happen next.
But maybe the most important thing I learned is that an experience doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
There are so many little memories that I will probably remember long after I forget the details of the project itself. The silly jokes, the conversations between activities, the moments when everyone was exhausted but still laughing, the songs we played too many times, the children getting way too competitive during games, and all the random little moments that didn’t seem important at the time.
And now it’s all over.
The summer is over, the camps are finished, and the people who became part of my everyday life are going their own ways. It’s a strange feeling. I’m excited for what comes next, but there is also a part of me that wishes I could go back to the beginning and experience some of these moments again maybe knowing then how quickly everything would pass.
I think that is what I will take with me from this experience: not just the things I learned or the work I did, but the memories. The good ones, the difficult ones, the funny ones and even the ones I didn’t appreciate enough while they were happening.
I’m leaving this project with a lot of gratitude. For the opportunities, for the children, for the people I met, for the things I learned and even for the challenges that pushed me outside of my comfort zone.
This may be the end of the project, but I don’t think experiences like this really have an ending. A small part of it stays with you in the way you think, the way you work, the people you remember and the stories you tell later.
So, this is my last blog post, and probably the hardest one to write.
Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the lessons. Thank you for the chaos, the laughter, the good days and even the difficult ones.
I don’t know exactly what comes next, but I know I’m taking a little piece of this experience with me.
And honestly, I think that’s a pretty good way to end this chapter. Until next time..
Four months of volunteering in Romania – what an experience. It feels like it was only yesterday that I arrived in Miercurea Ciuc, a small city surrounded by mountains in the heart of Transylvania.
I was part of a team of four long-term volunteers. Together, we organized and facilitated summer camps for children between 6 and 13 years old. Our days were filled with games, activities and, most importantly, plenty of opportunities for the children to learn English in a fun and non-formal way.
Before this project, I had never worked with children before, so it was a completely new experience for me. I learned a lot along the way and, to my surprise, really enjoyed it. Most of the kids were incredibly joyful and open, which made it easy for us to connect with them and have a good time together. Every day brought something new, and it was rewarding to see how much the children enjoyed the activities we prepared for them.
Throughout the summer, many short-term volunteers also joined the camps for several weeks. This made our team very diverse, with people from different countries, backgrounds and experiences. Everyone brought their own ideas and perspectives, which gave the camps a different atmosphere every week and made the summer even more interesting.
Living in Miercurea Ciuc
The volunteering experience was not only about the work. We also shared a house on the outskirts of the city, which became an important part of everyday life. During the busiest part of the summer, around 25 volunteers were living there at the same time.
With so many people under one roof, there was rarely a quiet moment. We played games, cooked together and spent many long evenings talking and laughing. It was a great way to get to know people beyond the camps, and over the four months, I made many friendships and shared countless memorable moments.
The location of the house was another highlight. Just a short walk away were open fields and mineral water pools, where I often went when I wanted some time for myself. Sitting there and enjoying the quiet surroundings became one of my favourite parts of everyday life in Miercurea Ciuc.
On weekends, we usually explored the city centre by bike. We had our favourite café, tried traditional Hungarian food and discovered some of the local bars. And, of course, summer would not have been complete without plenty of ice cream and pastries.
The city also had a lot to offer when it came to special events. One of the first was the pilgrimage, when people from all over Romania travelled to Miercurea Ciuc to take part in the mass on Șumuleu Ciuc mountain. It was our first activity together as a group and also our first chance to try the famous chimney cake.
Another memorable event was the Night of the 100 Szekler Girls, where I saw traditional Hungarian dresses and dances for the first time. We also experienced the city days, when a big stage was set up in the city centre and different artists performed. It was a great opportunity to discover some Romanian pop music and see the city full of life.
Travelling through Romania
While Miercurea Ciuc became my home for four months, I also wanted to use my time in Romania to see more of the country.
The cultural week organized by Care2Travel was my first opportunity to explore places outside the city. I visited Sighișoara and the Red Lake, both of which gave me a first impression of the diversity of the region.
Another easy destination was Brașov, a lovely city with Saxon influences. Since it was less than two hours away by train, it was perfect for a day trip. Walking through the old town, exploring the streets and simply enjoying a change of scenery was a nice break from everyday life in Miercurea Ciuc.
When my friend came to visit me in Romania, we also spent a week in Bucharest. The capital felt completely different from Miercurea Ciuc – much bigger, busier and more lively. I really enjoyed experiencing this contrast and seeing another side of the country.
Some of my favourite trips, however, were much closer to home. The local community in Miercurea Ciuc organized hikes almost every weekend, giving me the chance to discover more of Transylvania. Since I have always enjoyed hiking, these weekends were definitely among the highlights of my time in Romania. Exploring the mountains and countryside with a group of people while getting to know the region a little better was a great way to spend my weekends.
Looking back
The last four months honestly just flew by.
Looking back, there were so many moments that made this experience special – from the summer camps and the time spent with the other volunteers to the hikes, trips and small everyday moments. I enjoyed discovering a new city, experiencing a different culture and, most of all, meeting so many new people.
Working with the children was a particularly valuable part of the experience. It challenged me in ways I had not expected, but it also brought me a lot of joy. Of course, there were moments when I missed my family and home. But those moments usually passed quickly, especially with so much happening around me.
Overall, I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend these four months in Romania. I am grateful for the people I met, the experiences I had and all the memories I will take home with me.
Miercurea Ciuc may only have been my home for four months, but it will definitely always have a special place in my heart. ❤️
First of all, I want to mention something. Before I came here, I saw all of those blogposts and social media posts about how great the volunteering experience was and how much it changed the people. And I always thought “Oh, that’s a bit over the top” or “they’re just saying that cause everyone says that”. I would also really love to differ my post from others, but I have to say that after my time in Csíkszereda is almost over, I completely agree with them.
When I arrived here, I had no idea how I would feel in 4 months. The bigger questions were: “Will I find friends here?” or “Will I like the work?”. And if I would have known the changes that would come, it wouldn’t have been changes after all, right?
Obviously, it was not from one day to the other that I was suddenly changed. But slowly, slowly, I realized that I felt different towards many things as opposed to my first weeks here. I made friends, I liked the work and I gained new and great experiences.
-I went on hikes and climbed a huge Jesus statue as well as a (maybe not so safe) tower at the tip of mountains
-I went to bars and cafés for fun interactions, karaoke, some games of pool and the one or the other Cuba Libre
-I picked lots of flowers of which some were extremely poisonous – which we found out after they were safely (or not so safely) drying in the pages of our books (gladly no one was harmed!!)
-I had countless conversations with friends that will hopefully stay for a lifetime
-I worked in summer camps that never ended and at the same time flew by as if it was nothing
-I went to other cities in Romania, saw their interesting places and found out about their history
-I had lots of cuddle-time with cats
and many more things, which I can’t even count.
What I (sadly) didn’t see yet, after all that time here, is a bear (highest concentration of bears in the world regardless)!!
The saddest part is definitely that everyone I met will spread throughout the world again. It will never be the same, all living in one big house, working together and experiencing the same things. The positive side is that it will always be worth to travel to the USA, Poland, the UK, many other countries and of course Romania to meet up and it will be forever special to meet the people that shaped my stay here.
But I am not going to end this with a Goodbye, but with a See you later!!
My name is Lea, and I am a new ESC volunteer. I arrived in the middle of May in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania. During my first weeks, I mainly took the time to settle in and discover my new surroundings. I got to know the other volunteers, explored the city, and became familiar with the Care2Travel organisation.
The first weeks were filled with an online on-arrival training together with other ESC volunteers from all over Romania, office tasks, activities at the Care2Travel office, and a city scavenger hunt. However, my personal highlight was the cultural week organised by Care2Travel. Together with the other volunteers, I visited the Red Lake, the surrounding mountains, and Sighișoara, a beautiful medieval town in the heart of Transylvania. It was a great opportunity to discover more of Romania while getting to know the other volunteers much better.
After those first weeks, I took a few days off because some of my friends came to visit me. Together, we travelled to Brașov and Bucharest. I was very happy to see them, and I really enjoyed both cities.
Brașov is one of the best-known Transylvanian Saxon cities in Romania. It has a beautiful old town and is located only a short distance from Miercurea Ciuc. We visited many of its most famous sights, including the Black Church, the city towers, and Council Square. Unfortunately, one afternoon we experienced a severe rainstorm, but it certainly did not spoil our trip.
Bucharest is a little further away, so we stayed there for five days. We were lucky to have wonderful sunny weather and plenty of time to explore the city. I especially liked the contrast between the impressive historic buildings and the communist-era architecture, which gives Bucharest its unique character. The Old Town is full of life, with countless cafés, restaurants, and bars. During our stay, we visited the Palace of the Parliament, the Museum of Communism, the famous Cărturești Carusel bookstore, a beautiful park, several different neighbourhoods, and the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum. I also had the opportunity to try some traditional Romanian dishes, including stuffed cabbage rolls, papanași, and polenta. I loved every single one of them.
After returning from my trips, we started preparing our ESC summer project in more detail. The summer camps take place in the backyard of the volunteer accommodation. Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., we organise activities for children while teaching them English in a fun and interactive way.
As part of the preparation, we became familiar with our responsibilities, planned the first day of camp, and created a detailed daily schedule. Soon afterwards, the summer camps began. During the first week, we welcomed 15 children between the ages of five and thirteen. Our main responsibility was to organise creative activities and games while encouraging the children to use English throughout the day.
At first, it took us some time to find a routine and become confident in our new roles. However, after just a few days everything became much easier. I really enjoyed working with the children and gained valuable practical experience. We played many active games, made origami, and on particularly hot days we organised water games, which quickly became everyone’s favourite.
During the second week, even more children joined the camp. By then, I already felt much more confident, and the daily routine came naturally. We introduced new games while also repeating some of the children’s favourites from the previous week. In addition, we made bracelets and learned a song together. It has been wonderful to see how much they enjoy spending time at the camp.
I am very excited about the coming weeks and look forward to creating many more unforgettable memories during my volunteering experience.
