The Setting

Sighisoara, Transylvania:

Sighisoara  was established by German settlers invited here by the Hungarian king in the 13th century.  The town center is dominated by "the best-preserved medieval walled citadel in central Europe," a charming conglomeration of turrets and towers, narrow streets and ancient houses.  Sighisoara is also home to 35,000 people, Romanians, Hungarians, Germans and Roma (gypsies) - the rich cultural mix reflecting the region's history.  The town is small enough (and safe enough) that students generally walk everywhere. They get lots of exercise, especially going up and down the steps into the citadel.  Most easily adjust and take pleasure in the picturesque setting.

Gorgeous environment:

The Rough Guide and the Lonely Planet both highlight Sighisoara as a tourist destination not to be missed. Surrounding Sighisoara is the beautiful Transylvanian plateau, with rolling wooded hills and ancient villages nestled in the river valleys, many of them with impressive fortress churches, witness to hundreds of years of robust faith. Hiking among the villages, or in the Carpathian mountains further afield, provides unforgettable experiences. For longer trips, the train lines through Sighisoara connect to other major cities of Romania, to Budapest, Vienna and beyond.

Live with a family:

Students in the Romanian Studies Program live, singly or in pairs, with a Romanian family.  This allows them to develop strong friendships with Romanians and to learn the language and culture from the inside, eating home-cooked Romanian food, sharing in daily routines and special celebrations, adjusting to a different rhythm and way of life, while exploring similarities and differences in customs, values and beliefs.

Home away from home:

Students in the Romanian Studies Program take classes in the House on the Rock, a beautifully restored 17th century building on the main square in the heart of the historic citadel.  This building serves as the official headquarters of Veritas and as its education center. A computer lab provides IT services for students, and a comfortable place to read or work on homework.  The International Café, one of Veritas' small business ventures, helps combat homesickness with its selection of American goodies. Lunch is eaten together with the Veritas staff at the Family Center in the lower town.

Part of an awesome team:

Students in the Romanian Studies Program have the unusual privilege of becoming part of the international, intercultural, interdenominational, interdisciplinary team that is Veritas.  They get to work closely with the Veritas staff and the long-term volunteers, Christians with widely differing histories, with a variety of church backgrounds, with complementary personalities and professional skills.  What a tremendous learning environment!  Valuable relationships develop and individual contributions gain meaning as part of a larger, enduring whole.