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Name: Georgina Koppf
Programme: Romanian Childcare
Dates: 29/01/07 - 24/02/07
Please contact us for more information about volunteering in Romania
How did you feel before you joined the programme?
I wasn't really sure what to expect - my knowledge of Romania was practically non-existent. It was good to have reassurance that I would be alright to drive to Romania and back, and that I could do the programme outside of the normal dates. Other than that I didn't really ask many questions, preferring to find out as it happened.
What was the accommodation like?
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Wonderful! I stayed at the CREATIV building and had my own room. The kitchen and bathroom were great, and I had free internet access. I was able to park my car outside for free, and it was easy to get around the city on foot or public transport.
What did you think of the programme?
I really enjoyed my time in Bucharest and can't wait to go there again. Most of the projects I was involved with were based around schools. Everyone on the CREATIV team was really welcoming and helpful, especially with my attempts to learn some Romanian. They helped me find things of interest around Bucharest for my free time, and also arranged for me to teach some classes at a school, which was amazing as I hope to become a primary school teacher. I took my violin with me and did a lot of playing for the children and staff of the projects, which I hope they enjoyed as much as I did.
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How have you benefited from your experience? How have you changed?
The most obvious benefit to me is the invaluable experience of teaching and working with children who don't speak much English, which will be very helpful with my future teaching career. I have also learned a lot about Romania and the Romanian language, all of which has made me want to go back! Overcoming the language barrier with the children was a big challenge at first, but very rewarding as I progressed.
What advice could you offer to someone considering this project?
I wish I could have spent a longer time there. Other than that, although you don't really need to speak any Romanian to do this project, I think that I got a lot more out of it because I tried to learn some. Overall, it was a very rewarding experience, and the more you put into it, the more you get out.
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