Projects Abroad in Moldova - arrival and induction procedure for new volunteers

Volunteering in Moldova: Arrival Procedure in Chisinau

Volunteers fly into Chisinau airport, which is on the edge of the city. You will be met by a member of our Moldova team who will take you from the airport into the city which is about twenty minutes drive away. In most cases you will be taken to your host family, who usually live in the suburbs of the city. You will typically be living in a tower block which, from the outside, may look uninviting, but inside you will find is much nicer.

Depending on when you arrive you will either be given the opportunity to get to know your family or be introduced to your placement. You will probably find your host family keen to welcome you to Moldova with a big meal and an opportunity to sample some of the famous local wine.

Volunteering in Moldova: Orientation and Induction

You will be taken on your induction tour of the city soon after your arrival. This will give you an opportunity to get your bearings. Chisinau is not too big a city so before long you will be able to work out where you are and how to get around. There is an extensive network of buses, trolleybuses and maxi taxis which cover the city. The services are frequent and cover all the routes that you will need. There are lots of taxis which are not too expensive if you want to take one and before you know it you will be able to navigate the city with confidence.

Most volunteers live in the suburbs, but even from the edge of town it will only take half an hour on a trolley bus to get into the town centre. The centre is based around the main street Stefan Cel Mare - a famous historical Moldovan figure. A good starting point is his statue on the edge of Pushkin Park. From here you walk down past the cathedral and parliament building before coming to the main shopping area. You can buy most things and there are plenty of internet cafes if you want to email home.

In Chisinau there are also lots of opportunities to visit the theatre, opera or art galleries, at very affordable prices. There are plenty of cafes, hotels and bars too. If you want a bit of peace and quiet there are a number of parks dotted around the city. A good option in the summer is to hire a rowing boat from the park near to the American embassy.

You will soon get to know and love Chisinau and all it has to offer.