Volunteer In Europe

Castles
Country Hop
Orphanage Service
Bakeries, Cafes, Gelato
History + Art

Trip Highlights

Volunteering

Volunteer in a European Orphanage

Romania is the only ILP location where you are not teaching English. Here, your service goes toward children in the Orphanage Program here. The kids and orphanage children you’re working with range in age, as well as health and ability. Some children in the program are non-verbal and bedridden. Others have mild to very severe neurological syndromes in addition to medical challenges.

Most children are 5-18 years old, with a few who are younger or a smidge older than that range. Every child in the Orphanage Program is disabled, and many of the children we work with are orphans, but not all. (Some have parents who are unable to care for their child financially, but still visit. Other children attend a school or treatment facility here that’s not available where they are from).

How you help will drastically depend on the needs of the children living in the apartment you will be volunteering in. It’s a humbling experience to be helping and connecting with the sweet children here.

How You’re Needed In Romania

You’ll have the chance to show your kids the love and care that a parent would. It’s best for the kids that one volunteer works with them the whole semester long, so you’ll be able to spend all of your time with “your kids”, and get really close to them.

Depending on where you’re serving, volunteers crawl around with young children or take walks down the hallways. Play games outside in the yard with the older children. Stretch tired legs and arms, then rub hands and feet. Sing songs to the kids who can’t leave their beds. Learn from the onsite staff how to help with the basic and routine medical procedures, like changing a feeding tube or helping a child sit quietly during kidney dialysis.

Work with children who don’t receive the attention necessary to develop basic social skills, like learning how to share or not to shout during a tantrum. There are many ways to help in this program in Romania.

The way you are serving seems small and maybe even insignificant. Moments of singing until a sick child cracks a smile, laughing while you place stickers on smiling faces, braiding hair (then getting your hair braided), or realizing that the shyest girl in your room now lights up when you walk into her room. They are small moments but mark huge levels of success.

If you’re excited to give back with your time, attention, and love through these acts of service, Romania’s the spot for you.

Volunteer in a European Orphanage

Romania is the only ILP location where you are not teaching English. Here, your service goes toward children in the Orphanage Program here. The kids and orphanage children you’re working with range in age, as well as health and ability. Some children in the program are non-verbal and bedridden. Others have mild to very severe neurological syndromes in addition to medical challenges. Read More

How You’re Needed In Romania

You’ll have the chance to show your kids the love and care that a parent would. It’s best for the kids that one volunteer works with them the whole semester long, so you’ll be able to spend all of your time with “your kids”, and get really close to them.

Depending on where you’re serving, volunteers crawl around with young children or take walks down the hallways. Play games outside in the yard with the older children. Stretch tired legs and arms, then rub hands and feet. Sing songs to the kids who can’t leave their beds. Learn from the onsite staff how to help with the basic and routine medical procedures, like changing a feeding tube or helping a child sit quietly during kidney dialysis. Read More

“We were there to give love, help them grow, learn, and develop — and yet, they did the same for me.”

This program is so special, for a lot of reasons you’ve already read about. Instead of teaching English (like all of our other programs), you’ll be giving your attention, love, and service to children in our Orphanage Program.

It’s a semester of the little things that make the biggest difference … and teach the biggest lessons. From listening to Romanian nursery rhymes to holding a hand for comfort, countless volunteers have expressed that being close to these kids has taught them so many little life lessons.

Plus, the chance to not only live in Romania but to travel all around here adds so much to your experience.

Maybe it’ll be the people you meet on the train rides or the sites found in medieval cities. Maybe it’ll be the rows and rows of flower shops that will catch your attention, or maybe it will be the Nutella-filled pretzels. No matter what it is for you, we have a feeling Romania will quickly find its way into your heart.

Time in Romania will certainly give you the chance to not only experience a culture you may not know too much about, but truly experience a country that seems to still be a bit undiscovered. Even more than that, volunteering here means a semester of service and love.

“We were there to give love, help them grow, learn, and develop — and yet, they did the same for me.”

This program is so special, for a lot of reasons you’ve already read about. Instead of teaching English (like all of our other programs), you’ll be giving your attention, love, and service to children in our Orphanage Program.
Read More

Experiences In + Around Romania

You have every weekend off plus vacation time throughout the semester to travel over Romania and the nearly endless destinations across Europe.

Volunteers love spending as much time as they can in Romania — you’ll have lots of opportunities to explore the charming and colorful villages this country has to offer … we have a feeling you’ll be surprised by all the hidden gems you didn’t know were hiding here! There are also so many countries we know you’re dying to see that are just a flight away. Countries like Greece, France, Italy, and Poland make great vacation spots.

This Romanian Village Looks Like A Fairy Land

Painted Monasteries Are A train Ride Away

Tips For Your Vacay To Rome, Italy

Start Your ILP Adventure

The kiddos at the orphanage have changed my life forever. They are simply angels on earth. My heart is so full.

Abby

if you are ever contemplating moving across the world with a group of strangers, i would 10/10 recommend. i wouldn’t trade the memories i have made with these girls for anything.

Larkin

If you have the chance to move to romania & volunteer in an orphanage for a couple months…TAKE IT! you won’t regret it.

Carly

It [Iasi] has been my home for the past 3 months. & it has given me some of life’s most beautiful, precious things. It has given me friendship, perspective, adventure and a fuller heart.

Liz