GETTING THERE
When should I arrive in and depart from the host country?
Otopeni International Airport in Bucharest, Romania (airport code OTP), before 3:30 PM on the first day of your service program.
Plan your departure from Bucharest for after 2:45 PM on the final day of your service program. These flight windows are especially important because we will be taking a train to and from the community in which we will be serving. It is approximately five hours by train between Bucharest & Barlad.
This coordinated schedule will assist in assembling the team for transportation to the host community.
Global Volunteers' service program officially commences on the first Saturday of the schedule with the evening meal.
Will someone meet me at the airport?
Yes, provided you send your flight itinerary to Global Volunteers at least two weeks in advance of the service program arrival date. A Global Volunteers staff person or representative holding a Global Volunteers sign will meet you in the public area outside Customs. You'll travel with your teammates to your lodging.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
Please notify Global Volunteers as soon as you confirm your new arrival plans so your team leader can arrange your transportation to the host community. If you make last-minute changes to your itinerary, or if you don't inform us of your flight plans, you must arrange your own transportation to the hotel or host community.
How late can I arrive in the host community?
Our orientation sessions are a critical component of the preparation for your assignments. If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from reaching the program on the opening day of the program, we require that you arrive no later than 9:00 AM on the following day so you can join your team for these sessions.
What should I do if I arrive before the scheduled arrival date?
If you choose to spend time in-country before the service program begins, please plan to meet your team at the designated airport within the specified arrival window on the first day of the program in order to be transported to the host community. We ask that you don't travel to the host community without the team leader without making prior arrangements.
FOOD AND LODGING
What type of lodging is provided?
You and your teammates will stay in a comfortable tourist-class hotel. Rooms are double occupancy, with private bathrooms with hot and cold running water, telephones and television. Single rooms are available for an extra fee.
What are the laundry arrangements?
The hotel will wash laundry for a modest fee.
What is the electrical power?
The current in Romania is 220V. You should bring a converter (to 220V) and an adapter (the large round double-pronged version used throughout Europe) for your electrical appliances unless they are dual voltage.
What is the local cuisine?
Breakfast typically includes coffee, eggs, ham, bread, dry cereal, yogurt, and on occasion, some fruit. Lunch and dinner consists mostly of soups, pork, beef, chicken, or fish and potatoes. All your meals will be share with the team in area restaurants or at the hotel.
Can special diets be accommodated?
Avoiding meat is not a problem. You can easily find bread, vegetables and eggs on most menus. Consider bringing familiar foods to supplement your diet if you have especially restrictive needs.
Will potable drinking water be provided?
Bottled water is provided for all team members.
HEALTH TIPS
What are the principal health risks?
We strongly recommend you consult your own physician, public health clinic and/or travel clinic for detailed travel health information.
What health precautions should I take?
For general recommendations, consult the following sources:
Centers for Disease Control
Health Canada Online
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Travel Health Online
Is the water safe to drink?
We recommend that you obtain a water bottle, and keep it filled with bottled water that will be provided to you by the team leader.
Is it safe to eat food purchased from street vendors?
We strongly recommend that you do not purchase food from street vendors.
What type of insurance do you recommend?
We strongly recommend medical insurance that covers you while you are outside your home country, and trip cancellation insurance. Your travel agent can refer you to travel insurance providers. Global Volunteers will provide you with emergency medical evacuation insurance.
MONEY MATTERS
What is the local currency?
The local currency is the leu.
What is the current exchange rate?
For currency conversion information, refer to the following website: FXConverter
Where do I exchange money?
You can exchange money at the airport when you first arrive.Bucharest is Romania's largest city and the center of town attracts many tourists; therefore, it is easy to find banks and small booths where money can be exchanged. In Barlad: Several exchange offices will exchange foreign currency.
Can I use cash, credit cards or checks?
Credit Cards are generally accepted in large stores and hotels in Bucharest. However, credit cards and charge cards are not widely accepted in Barlad. Debit cards from major banks or with major company logos can be used to get cash 24 hours a day in most towns and cities. There are several ATM machines in Barlad that can be accessed anytime of the day. Traveler's Checks are not widely accepted in Romania.U.S. dollars and European Euros are widely accepted. However, please only bring crisp, clean bills, as most banks and exchange counters will not accept U.S. bills that are dirty, bent, or worn or that were printed prior to 1997. Canadian currency is not as common.
How much money should I bring with me?
How much money you bring depends on your free-time plans, personal spending and shopping habits. Weekend trips can cost between US$100 - US$300, depending on transportation and accommodations used. Your souvenir budget is discretionary.
COMMUNICATIONS
How can my family contact me while I am in Romania?
You will receive an emergency contact sheet prior to your departure for Italy that includes phone numbers for the hotel, our hosts, and Global Volunteers' business and after hours phones. Be sure to leave a copy with anyone who will need to reach you.
Can I make international phone calls?
There are phones and faxes locally available for you to use for international communication.
Is internet service available?
Internet access is usually available at the hotel. You will also have access to Internet cafés in Barlad. If you choose to bring a laptop, you may have limited access to a phone line for the internet.