GoAbroad
Contact Provider for Cost Details, $600-900Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
5.0 / 5Overall Rating
1Review
2007Year established

Program Overview

Volunteers support centres that offer care, therapy and social opportunities to children and adults living with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities. You may help with daily care such as assisting with meals and hygiene, or taking part in therapy-led sessions including music, art, games and recreational activities tailored to individual needs. You will help organise classes and social events designed to promote social skills, confidence, and personal development.

Your role will make a meaningful difference for people who often live with social stigma and limited support. As a volunteer you help create a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.

This program suits volunteers aged 18 or older. If you have relevant training or at least a year of experience in special needs care or therapy you may contribute more directly to rehabilitation and therapy-based support. If you join without prior experience, you must commit to at least four weeks on the project so you have enough time to understand needs, build trust and learn how to help effectively.

Free time offers chances to explore the region’s forests, historic towns and natural scenery.

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Program Highlights

Programs start every first and third Monday of the month. Duration from 2 to 24 weeks and volunteers work up to five hours per day
Includes airport pick up, orientation, dormitory-style volunteer apartment accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
Care for children and adults at Miercurea Ciuc with a range of mental and physical disabilities — tasks may include organising games and educational sessions, supporting therapy and rehabilitation
Work aims to improve care, life-skills development and wellbeing for people with disabilities in a community where resources are limited
Opportunity to build practical experience in disability care, support social inclusion and wellbeing, develop communication and compassion skills, and immerse yourself in Romanian community life

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
In-Country Orientation
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
Certificate of Completion

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Miercurea Ciuc, Romania

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Apartment/Flat
  • Dormitory
  • Group living
  • Home-stays

Application Procedures

  • Written Application
  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18-30

Duration

  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career
  • During College
  • Post High School

Starts At

Contact Provider for Cost Details, $600-900

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

5.0
1 review

Rating breakdown

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Top categories

Volunteer Placement
5.0
Program Administration
5.0
Living Situation
5.0
Community Engagement
5.0
Health & Safety
5.0
Day to Day Life
5.0

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Showing 1 of 1 review

Marc Bosch MartínezSpain · February 2021

Very underrated Romania

Romania came as a surprise to me. As a European myself, I never was very interested in going to East Europe, so I didn't have very high expectations. I mainly decided to go because it was one of the safest places to go with the pandemic going on. But, once I was there, all my presumptions were shattered. I got to meet very nice and open Romanian and Hungarian people, learn about its rich history, visit its beautiful castles and cities, and hike through mesmerizing mountains. Moreover, the volunteering experience was very rewarding. I did everything I could to make myself useful to a local NGO as a NGO Support Volunteer with IVHQ. My aim was to start my journey to understand how NGOs work, while helping out one with a memorable cause: to provide educational and fun summer camps to disadvantaged children. Among other things, I got to help them out with the online marketing for a crowdfunding campaign, write a blog post about one of my adventures in Romania, conduct interviews, snap pictures of the summer camps and help build a space to hold these camps for children on rainy days. Altogether, it was a great experience that I wouldn't change for anything and one which made me see a part of the world with new eyes.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ].

What does the Andean Immersion program in Cusco with IVHQ involve?


The Andean Immersion project places you in a rural Quechua-speaking community near Cusco where you live with a local family and assist with daily tasks like farming, textiles and teaching English.

* Live with a host family in an Andean village
* Help with agriculture, animal-husbandry, weaving and English lessons
* Experience a traditional lifestyle within a Quechua-speaking c

When can you start and how long can you volunteer in the program?

The program starts every Monday and you can choose to stay from 1 to 24 weeks.

* Weekly Monday start dates
* Duration options: 1–24 weeks
* Volunteer hours up to approximately 5 hours a day

What are the eligibility requirements for the Andean Immersion program


Participants must be aged 16 or older (families welcome), have English proficiency, and if over 18 provide a criminal background check.

* Minimum age: 16 years or older
* English proficiency required; Spanish recommended
* Background check required for volunteers over 18

What accommodation and support does IVHQ provide for the program?

You stay in a homestay with your host family and receive orientation, airport pickup and full in-country support from the IVHQ local team.

* Homestay accommodation with a local family
* Airport pickup and program orientation included
* 24/7 in-country support from local team provided

What skills and experiences will you gain from the program?


You’ll develop cross-cultural communication, agricultural and textile skills while fully immersing in Andean life and contributing to local livelihoods.

* Gain practical skills in farming, textiles and community living
* Learn about Quechua culture and practice Spanish
* Make a meaningful contribution to local economic and social development

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025
2025 Finalist - Innovative Volunteer Abroad Program
Notable Mention - GoAbroad Top Rated Volunteer Abroad Providers 2024
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Volunteer Abroad
Top Rated Volunteer Abroad Organization 2022
Zero Carbon
Notable Mention 2021 - Volunteer Abroad
Innovative New Program – Volunteer Abroad 2021 Finalist
Innovative Student Video 2020 Finalist
Top Rated Volunteer Abroad Organizations of 2020
Innovative New Program Volunteer Abroad 2020 Finalist
2019 Notable Mentions
Top Eco-Traveling Enthusiast of 2017 - Sustainable Voluntourism
Certified B Corporation
GoAbroad Top Volunteer Abroad Organization 2018

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