Viață Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

On-site administration of your program

Working with New Horizons Foundation was a privilege. The people are passionate about what they do and who they are working for. My time there showed me that. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from them and watching them teach kids in positive ways that the kids themselves may not even realize they were being taught. For the purpose of encouraging them to trust one another, work together, and be active members in their communities. It is an excellent organization that I believe is making a worthy influence in Romania and around the world.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Time with my host family gave me an insight into a lifestyle very different than mine. Whether it was their large family, religion, language, or customs; I was shown the gift of life in another culture. There is a simplicity to life in Romania, one that I struggle to find back here in the States, although I have the knowledge and experience to seek out that simplicity to my life. I was taught much about interacting with others, being a part of a family, and even little things like chopping wood. These experiences and friendships, no matter how hard to sustain, will always be with me and are still influencing me and teaching me as I am constantly finding out.

The food was excellent!! I loved the opportunity to try new things, and I was always seeking out new and strange (to me) things to eat. For sure be careful where you go, and take it slow to start out with once you get there. But for a better cultural immersion and experience I would highly recommend being open to new foods as it can show you a lot about a place and the people.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Romanian people are quite hospitable. They enjoy meeting new people, and may not always come off as nice on the street. But once you get to know a person or a family in person, then they are will open up much more. Communism destroyed trust and community cohesion, and even still today remnants of its regime can still be seen and felt. So at first glance do not be put off, as they will also know you are foreigners (at least they knew we were Americans). If you take the time to be open, and meet and get to know others than you will be enjoy a lot of good cooking and friendly encounters. Also don't be afraid to kiss and be kissed on the cheeks! *Left side first.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

My host family had some excellent English speakers so I was lucky to not always have to speak Romanian as others in the program did. But whenever you are out, or interacting with Romanians you are encouraged to try and use your language skills, it depends on how hard you push yourself. You can get by without extensive work at Romanian, but of course others were more proficient at the language than others.

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• Host Family
• Apartment

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans
• Host Family

• The outdoors experience
• The Program Coordinators and New Horizons Employees
• My fellow students studying abroad and my host family

• Structure of the classes
• Organization of schedule
• The language classes and whether it counts for your requirement

The Avid Adventurer