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Romania: Bear Sanctuary Volunteering

Company : Oyster Worldwide
Activities : Gap year / Career break / Work Placements / Combo Travel Placements / Animal Volunteer Projects / Community Projects
Countries : Romania
Location : Brasov, Romania

Info

Work and volunteer at a Bear Sanctuary in Romania. This sanctuary in Brasov rehabilitates bears after years of misery, and it's fantastic to see them living happier, healthier lives.

Bears have had a tough time of it in Romania. It's early days for animal rights legislation and until recently it was normal to see them forced into cages for tourism, made to dance in the streets or used as circus performers.

What will I do in Romania?

The Carpathians really are one of Europe’s last wild places - home to brown bears and wolves - and this brand-new sanctuary houses around 50 bears at a time. You need to be a jack-of-all-trades, enjoy being outdoors in all weathers, relish physical work and - of course - to be passionate about bears. The way the centre works means that spare hands are always needed, so the placement is pretty flexible - volunteers are welcome to stay from 2 weeks to 3 months.

Brasov, the capital of Transylvania in the Carpathians, is a beautiful little walled city surrounded by modern suburbs. You will stay in the centre of the town in a flat, shared with other volunteers, and may share a room.

Volunteers staying for two or more months receive some basic Romanian language lessons. Our rep Razvan informally organises trip to the local sights to Dracula’s castle and other places, if you want to go for minimal cost.
‘[The placement] was 'more than I could ever have hoped - to have so much fun, to meet such amazing people and live in such a wonderful place. And obviously I adored the bears!' (Emily Barclay, 2008) Read our blog for more information.

Getting there
Your placements have been arranged by Razvan, who will often be the one meeting you at Bucharest airport and driving you the 2-3 hours up to Brasov to settle you into your flat. You will live with other volunteers and you may be sharing a room. You will have a couple of days to visit the various projects and find your way around Brasov.

Duration

2 weeks to 3 months

Start Dates

All year round

Costs / Benefits

October to March = £995 (Excluding flights)
April to September = £1145 (Excluding flights)
Additional weeks = £250 for each week up to 1 month
Extra weeks after 1 month = £100 p/w

Full support is offered throughout including a UK preparation course. Accomodation is included and there are various optional trips available including skiing.