General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
My experience was fantastic. I could not have had a better program director or host family. The experience has changed me and is one I will treasure forever.Country
I had the great blessing of being placed with a family that included me in their weekly Sunday excursions. The first full Sunday, Gheorghe, the father of my host family, took me to the Mary and Margaret Monastery, then to Bender and Tiraspol, Transnistria (the pro-Russian breakaway region of Moldova), where we joined his daughter and son-in-law at a large public pool. It was like a trip to the former Soviet Union, and was absolutely fascinating. On the second Sunday the whole family visited the ancient, partially underground Orthodox Church in the center of Căușeni, went out to lunch, then visited a winery near the River Nistria. On our third Sunday, we all went to a very fancy wine festival southwest of Chișinău. After my stay, I spent several days in Chișinău, but George picked me up at my BnB there on Sunday morning for a day at the monastic and natural wonder of Orheiul Vechi, including attending the rolk/folk Festival Lupilor. My host family were exceptionally hospitable, but such hospitality is perhaps not unusual in Moldova. I found people very welcoming, curious, and willing to help. That said, Moldovans' public face might be described as "slavic tough and stern." But that is just until you have even a small reason to develop some sort of relation with them. Another note: Not that many people speak English. It is well worth any volunteer's efforts to learn some Romanian and/or Russian. I think my experience would have been much harder and less enjoyable had I not started learning Romanian eight months before my arrival.
Project & Staff
Svetlana, the founder, director, chief promoter and engine of the Edugolux school and its related Center for Developing International Relationships, is an amazingly energetic and creative person. She is passionate about increasing her students' opportunities and providing them with an educational and experiential "step-up," not least for those from backgrounds who might place them "at risk."
Tips
Say "yes" to every proferred opportunity. Look for ways to be helpful beyond expectations. Study the language(s)!