Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Want to be a Special Needs Care volunteer in Romania? International Volunteer HQ’s Special Needs Care project is a great way for volunteers to assist at centres for people with disabilities. Volunteers gain experience working with people with a wide range of disabilities who often fall through the cracks because of social stigma and a lack of government support. These people benefit from the extra care, attention and connection volunteers provide, helping them thrive, learn and enriching their lives.
In Romania, numerous families struggle to provide adequate care for their loved ones with disabilities due to pervasive social stigma and inadequate government support. Volunteers play a transformative role in closing this care gap by igniting inspiration and bringing joy to the lives of children and adults facing personal challenges at a special needs facility.
As a Special Needs volunteer, you’ll be involved in organizing and facilitating games and educational sessions tailored to individuals with various mental and physical disabilities. This specialized role welcomes volunteers with expertise in disability care, offering opportunities for qualified individuals to contribute to therapy and rehabilitation efforts.
Volunteering with disabled individuals requires patience and compassion. Strong organisational skills and adaptability are essential, as resources may be limited. Despite the challenges, the enthusiasm of the children and adults you’ll work with will reward you with heartfelt smiles and appreciation for your time and effort.
When you volunteer to care for people with disabilities in Romania you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
The local team did everything to make us feel comfortable and they did a wonderful job at providing the food we requested. The team was very approachable and provided answers to all questions.
It was wonderful working with the other volunteers. I highly recommend someone to experience this IVHQ program. The staff makes you feel comfortable even before you leave home. I enjoyed interacting with people from other countries.
I have definitely gained more confidence and independence. Also, I had no idea how close I would become to the people I met during my time volunteering. My advice to others would be to dive in and make the most of the time you have!
As someone who has had a lifelong struggle with anxiety and a lack of confidence, I felt the time had come (late in life at age 61) to challenge myself to get truly out of my comfort zone. It was so heartwarming to have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the work of the local team, learn about a different culture and the different challenges facing the local community, as well as push myself to achieve things I didn’t realise I was capable of. Even though I only worked with the project for two weeks, I have come away with some amazing friendships, a clearer sense of what really matters in life, greater confidence and a real sense of pride in all that we achieved together. My heart is happy!
I had done 11 volunteer programs around the world (9 with IVHQ) and Romania was one of the last places I was interested in. But I'm glad I went. It's a beautiful country and IVHQ offers a wide variety of programs suitable to almost anyone's interests or talents.
My experience in Miercurea Ciuc was very memorable. The local team was fantastic as they were very attentive and welcoming. The orientation week was very helpful as it informed me a lot about Transylvania history and the Hungarian language. The English camps were a lot of fun and the kids in Romania were great to work with.
I had the most wonderful experience during my month volunteering in the Sustainable Agriculture program in Romania. IVHQ & the local team provided more than enough support for my trip. The program coordinator and the local team were exceedingly caring in making sure everybody has a rewarding and positive experience on their trip. I was able to connect and build meaningful, long lasting relationships with the other volunteers from all over the world! The city is additionally extremely charming, with plenty of delicious food options and activities for all types of people. I cannot recommend this program enough!!!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
IVHQ’s Romanian projects are based in and around Miercurea Ciuc - a town in the Harghita county of Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an Hungarian-speaking region in eastern Transylvania. It has an interesting history, pretty European architecture spanning centuries, an annual music festival, a Catholic pilgrimage, and winter temperatures that reach -30°C or −22 °F, which makes it the perfect place for cold season sports like ice hockey and speed skating.
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Miercurea Ciuc the day before orientation. After you have registered for the program, please book your flight to arrive at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP).
Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee, however, if you arrive outside of Sunday between 9:00AM - 10:00PM, your pick-up will incur an extra cost of US$150.
We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night prior to your start date. If you are travelling in Romania prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a pre-arranged location in Miercurea Ciuc the day before your program orientation. There are two options for orientation in Romania, a One-Day Orientation and an Orientation Week.
One-Day Orientation: This is a standard full-day induction on your selected start date that covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Romania. You’ll be provided with an introduction to Romania, meet the program staff and get an overview of procedures. You’ll learn about the history of Romania and Hungary, religion, festivals, customs and traditions, dress/clothing, safety issues, food, transportation and travel opportunities and go through details about your volunteer project and accommodation. The afternoon includes an introduction to the Hungarian language and a city tour of Miercurea Ciuc which is provided by local volunteers. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Introduction Week: This takes place during the first week of your program. This introduction week has an extra cost of US$542 (approximately £453) and is very popular among IVHQ volunteers. It includes everything on the One-Day Orientation as well as Hungarian lessons, trips to a castle, a Franciscan monastery, local villages, salt mines, a giant statue of Jesus Christ, museums, mountains and mineral springs. You’ll have the weekend free to do as you please before your specific placement orientation the following Monday. We recommend all volunteers take advantage of this week as it’s a great way to help settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in Romania.
The Introduction Week begins on your selected start date and your volunteer work will start the following week. If you wish to participate in the One-week Introduction, you’ll need to tell your IVHQ Program Manager in advance. You need to book a place and pay for this week before your volunteer program starts.
Please keep in mind that this is only available in June, July and August.
Weekdays
Start times and daily workload depends on the project that you are volunteering on, with some beginning in the morning and some in the afternoon. A typical schedule is as follows:
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers prepare their own breakfast at the accommodation. |
| 9:00 AM | Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 1:00 - 2:00 PM | Lunch. Volunteers either eat lunch at a local restaurant or, in some cases, at their placement. |
| 3:00 - 5:00 PM | Afternoon placements usually end. Volunteers are free to return to the volunteer accommodation, plan for the following day’s activities or use their free time as they wish. |
| 7:00 PM | Volunteers prepare their dinner at the volunteer accommodation and have the remainder of the evening free. |
Weekends
Volunteers have the weekends free and there is no shortage of things to do in Harghita or further afield in Romania. Volunteers can fill their free time with local markets, adventure activities or simply exploring parts of Harghita. Romania is a popular tourist destination, offering beautiful nature and scenery, with great trekking, climbing, biking, rafting and kayaking opportunities. Volunteers who wish to take a long weekend to travel can enjoy beautiful limestone mountains and explore Old World Europe.
Volunteers staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their program, can visit areas further afield in Romania and neighboring countries such as Hungary and Bulgaria. Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in Miercurea Ciuc, with the advice and guidance of our local staff.
Volunteers are housed primarily in one of two adjacent volunteer apartments or in a cozy volunteer house, adding a sense of camaraderie and community to your stay. The smaller apartment comfortably hosts up to 8 volunteers of the same gender in one room, while the larger apartment, boasting three bedrooms, can accommodate up to 19 volunteers.
During the vibrant summer months, anticipate sharing your living space with 7 to 17 fellow volunteers in the female apartment and 4 to 8 in the male apartment. Throughout the rest of the year, the numbers usually range from 3-6 occupants per apartment.
The volunteer house is made up of four rooms, with each individual sharing a room with a same-gender roommate.
Conveniently situated within a 10 to 15-minute stroll from the local team’s office, your accommodation is set in a lively neighborhood filled with charming cafes and delicious restaurants. This prime location allows you to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy all the community has to offer. Bedding is thoughtfully provided, and towels are readily available upon request. For your convenience, a washing machine is at your disposal to keep your clothing and bedding fresh throughout your stay.
Stay connected with WiFi access available at both the volunteer apartments and house, as well as at numerous cafes and restaurants nearby. For seamless connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card with data for your unlocked mobile phone. Should you have any specific accommodation preferences, feel free to communicate them to your IVHQ Program Manager, and our dedicated local team will strive to accommodate your needs.
Join us in Romania and create unforgettable memories in a welcoming and supportive volunteer community!
As a volunteer, you’ll enjoy one delicious cooked meal each day, provided either at a local restaurant or at your placement. For breakfast, dinner, and weekend meals, you’ll have the fun and flexibility of preparing your own food using the supplies in the volunteer accommodation. Our accommodation manager regularly stocks up on fresh groceries, and you can even place specific food requests to suit your tastes.
When dining out, you can look forward to a hearty lunch, typically featuring two courses. Start with a traditional soup, followed by a second course that might include potato or rice dishes, chicken, pork, goulash, stews, or pasta. Freshly baked bread, often made with potatoes, accompanies all meals.
Vegetarians will find delicious options like cheese or mushroom dishes readily available at local restaurants
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £250) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $877 Equivalent to $63/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,144 Equivalent to $54/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,411 Equivalent to $50/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,674 Equivalent to $48/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,937 Equivalent to $46/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,463 Equivalent to $44/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,989 Equivalent to $43/day |
| 12 weeks | $3,501 Equivalent to $42/day |
| 16 weeks | $4,525 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 20 weeks | $5,531 Equivalent to $40/day |
| 24 weeks | $6,531 Equivalent to $39/day |
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Miercurea Ciuc program.
Arriving outside the airport pick-up times? Book this add on now!
Arriving early or departing a few days after your program finished? Book your extra nights of accommodation.
Eager to enhance your Hungarian or Romanian language skills while volunteering in Romania? Now is the perfect, cost-effective opportunity to boost your proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing these languages with confidence!
We recommend that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable Hungarian and Romanian lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers by local language teachers. These language courses are organised during your program orientation and are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Hungarian or Romanian. We believe that taking these lessons can help you immensely with your day to day volunteer work and communicating with local people.
These language lessons can be booked directly through IVHQ once you have registered for the Romania program.
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
| Capital | Bucharest |
| Population | 20 Million |
| Languages | Romanian |
| Currency | Romanian Leu (RON) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate
Romania has a temperate-continental climate with distinct seasons, cold winters and hot summers. Daytime temperatures in winter range from 0°C to 5°C and in the summers months 25°C to 30°C. The IVHQ Romania program is based in Transylvania where the average temperatures are a little more extreme than the average.
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