The Institute for Regional Development, o.p.s., as a sending organization within the European Voluntary Service, arranged an opportunity for a volunteer from the Czech Republic to participate in a volunteer project called Gate to Inclusive Multicultural Europe at the American International School of Transylvania.
The project took place from 1 July 2014 to 31 August 2014.
The article, video and photos from the volunteer service of Ms. Hana Cenkova can be read/viewed below:
VIDEO: European Voluntary Service in Romania 2014
The American International School of Transylvania, Baia Mare, Romania (http://aistschool.ro/) is a non-profit organization founded by a handful of creative people passionate about education. The school’s main goal is to invest in people and promote high quality international English language education at all levels.
AIST’s activities are focused on high quality extra-curricular educational services through which it promotes high standards in education and facilitates cultural exchanges.
AIST aims to promote international thinking and the integration of Romanian culture into an international context, as well as to promote foreign cultures and civilizations in Romanian society. It also focuses on the development of social and cultural relations between persons, organizations and institutions in Romania and abroad.
It supports educational and cultural initiatives among young people and teachers – festivals, symposia, cultural and scientific activities at national, regional and international level.
Baia Mare is the capital of the Maramures County in Romania. It is a medium-sized city located in the north-western part of the country (about 1 hour drive from Hungary in the west and about 1 hour drive from Ukraine in the north). The city has approximately 140,000 inhabitants and is home to various ethnic and religious minorities.
It is located in a mountainous area and is surrounded by a unique landscape with many small villages in the surroundings (in which traditions are still preserved). Among the places of tourist interest are: wooden gates and churches, a museum in memory of the victims of communism and much more.
Baia Mare is a former mining centre where the historical, artistic, cultural and touristic heritage mixes with a thriving business environment.
The Gate to Inclusive Multicultural Europe project connected 11 EU countries: the Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Germany, Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Italy, France and Romania. The main themes of this project were sports and outdoor activities and work with children and youth.
The job of a volunteer was:
- Helping to organise various events for children and young people.
- Organizing informal educational activities, games and trips for children and youth – focusing on sports and outdoor activities.
- Designing own community projects for children and youth with limited opportunities.
- These projects (at least six) will focus on promoting core European values and volunteering. Here is your opportunity to put your ideas into practice – for the benefit of the local community. The projects will relate to Volunteering Day, Non-Formal Education Day and Youth Day.
Working hours – 6 to 8 hours a day (weekends off).
Volunteer opportunities
- The opportunity to meet many different people who come to AIST every day;
- the opportunity to meet new friends (whether they be volunteers from other countries or local residents);
- the opportunity to experience a new culture and learn a new language. The volunteer is entitled to a Romanian language course;
- the opportunity to improve their English;
get new learning opportunities – broadening their horizons about art, culture, history, nature and philosophy; - gain great intercultural experiences and much, much more.
Practical matters:
- The volunteer’s travel expenses were 90% covered for the round trip.
- Accommodation, meals and local transport were fully covered.
- The volunteer was paid an allowance of 60 EUR/month.
- She also received a free Romanian language course.
- Including fully paid travel medical insurance.
