adventure in action

Once again, a month flew by seemingly in a blink. My May calendar was completely full with classes, service projects, a visit from a friend, and wrapping up the month with a trip to Vienna. It was wonderful and I enjoyed every minute.

May’s primary focus was service as I had various projects throughout each week. I was able to volunteer with the nonprofit, Areopagus, for a day to visit the villages with their project, Hope for Families. This project serves 12 families in Timişoara and the surrounding villages who are dealing with severe financial, social, and medical problems. Each month, the families are re-supplied with groceries, diapers, and various household items. It was a humbling and educational experience as I met some of the families and the children who are on this program. The children were truly excited as we pulled up in the van and dropped off their various goodies. Some were eager to show us their animals, many of which, had given birth to new litters of puppies and kittens. Even though there was a stark language barrier, engaging with the children and babies filled me with so much joy.

The families face a great deal of stigma, as securing steady work is incredibly difficult in their communities. Traditionally, the responsibility of providing for the household falls primarily on the father, which adds immense pressure, especially when job opportunities are scarce or unstable. Being there with them and engaging personally allowed me to witness not only the challenges they endure but also their resilience and strength. Despite the hardships and social judgment they face, these families show a deep commitment to supporting one another and maintaining hope for a better future. Sharing moments with them, seeing their day-to-day lives, and offering what help I could, made their struggles more real. The love shared among them and the deep affection the children receive from their parents made me realize that, despite their financial hardships, they are never lacking in love and care. Being invited to spend the day with Areopagus filled me with hope, reminding me that even in a challenging and often harsh world, there are compassionate people and organizations genuinely committed to making a positive difference.

Another fun project that I participated in was volunteering at the Transylvania 100k. That was a true adventure! The race was held in Bran, RO, about six hours east of Timişoara. At first, I wasn’t sure how to get there—the train route was indirect and painfully slow. Then, to my surprise, the race director contacted me and arranged transportation. It felt a bit odd showing up at a stranger’s home to embark on a six-hour ride, but it turned out to be a fun surprise when I discovered they were actually the race photographers! In true Romanian hospitality, I was offered a coffee before we left for our journey. I never turn down the coffee.

This particular race was unique because they offered accommodations and a food stipend of 100 lei, something that I have never come across before. I felt like it was very generous to facilitate transportation, housing, and food for the volunteers. Once we arrived and checked-in to the Pensiunea, the photographers and I went our separate ways for the weekend. They had to trek to their photography point on the mountain with all their gear and supplies in time for the next morning’s race. They sure had it a lot harder than I did!

On Friday afternoon, I mainly helped out at packet pick-up, where I met my roommate, Geta. The race director thought it would be easier for me to be paired with someone for the weekend, which I truly appreciated as it made everything run more smoothly. I spent a few hours assisting Geta with tasks that were fairly straightforward, even despite the language barrier. Luckily, with such a large international group of participants, many spoke either English or Romanian, which made communication much easier.

Saturday started with an early wake-up so we could reach the race start on time. Multiple distances were scheduled: the 100k and 80k kicked off at 5am, followed by the 50k and 30k at 7am, and the 20k later that morning. Adding to the atmosphere, Vlad Țepeș made an appearance—posing for photos and striking a ceremonial gong to signal the start of each race.

Between race starts, we focused on keeping warm and setting up the main aid station tent. By early afternoon, as runners began arriving, everything kicked into high gear. We served hot food, snacks, and drinks to tired participants. The aid station was managed by a few older women who ran a tight ship and facilitated with impressive efficiency. I did my best to keep up, helping with whatever was needed—slicing fruit, pouring drinks, and cleaning tables. While the language barrier made things challenging at times, I was usually able to understand their instructions through gestures and context.

After about 18 total volunteer hours for Saturday, I called it a night around 8pm. Geta, was still out there, not getting back until about midnight and having started our day at 4am! Turns out, Geta was there to prep for her own race, as she was organizing a race in Maramureş at the end of June. I really loved being in her company and it was hard saying goodbye to her on Sunday. I truly felt like I had a mom for a weekend! The photographer and I left for Timişoara after the award ceremony on Sunday. We ended up making an impromptu pit stop in Cârța, which was a former monastery that was originally built in 1202. I was genuinely surprised with this spontaneous visit and have been deeply grateful for all the unexpected kindness, hospitality, and moments of shared culture I’ve experienced. These encounters have inspired me to reflect on my own actions and how I hope to carry this spirit with me when I return home.

The Transylvania 100k weekend really stretched me beyond my comfort zone. Most of the volunteers spoke very little English, and my basic Romanian could only carry me so far. Yet by the end, I had gained a deeper understanding of nonverbal communication and the power of teamwork. What started off as difficult slowly became more intuitive, and ultimately, deeply rewarding. Volunteering at races instead of running them, especially in a foreign country, presents its own unique set of challenges and feels harder than the actual race. I often find myself navigating unfamiliar languages and cultural norms, meeting new people on the fly, and jumping into roles like serving food and drinks to exhausted runners. At times, it can feel like my contribution is small—but when I step back and look at the bigger picture, I realize it’s something meaningful. Showing up, adapting, and supporting others in such an environment is something I’ve come to feel genuinely proud of.

Volunteering with the families through Areopagus and supporting the runners at the Transylvania 100k showed me the many forms that service can take. Whether providing essential aid to families in need or offering a helping hand at a challenging race, both experiences deepened my understanding of community, resilience, and the power of giving back. These moments reminded me that service—no matter the setting—is about connection, compassion, and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

If you would like to make a donation to help support the families at Areopagus please check out their website: https://www.areopagus.ro/en/donate/