Study Abroad in Romania
Explore a new culture, learn a new language & broaden your horizons by enrolling in a program to study in Romania with YFU. Discover our programs today.
Study in Romania
Historic villages and castles, fertile plains, and the majestic Carpathian mountains are just some of the things that YFU students in Romania get to see and explore!
+ More About Romania
Buna! With its historic villages and castles, fertile plains, majestic mountains, and the Black Sea coast, your Romanian experience will undoubtedly be an adventure of a lifetime!
You may have the opportunity to visit Transylvania during your time in Romania. You might even have the chance to travel to the actual ruins of Dracula's castle, which have been around since the 14th century! If you enjoy wildlife, you may want to visit the Danube delta, the second largest river in Europe, home to bears, wolves, wild boars, and lynx.
While in Romania, your host family will introduce you to Romanian cuisine, which consists of many foods you will recognize, as well as some country specialties, such as Mititei (grilled meatballs), Patricieni (grilled sausage), and Sarmale cu Mamaliga (meat rolled in cabbage leaves and served with mashed maize). You and your new friends will have the opportunity to play soccer and oina – a Romanian game similar to baseball. More relaxing activities include going to the theatre, opera, movies, and folk shows.
Your adventure in Romania will leave you with unforgettable memories and a strong appreciation for other cultures!
+ Scholarships Available
YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Romania:
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
Karla Topolka Scholarship Fund
Passport to Equity
+ Application Deadline
Applications for tuition based programs must be submitted by March 31 for fall departures. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a case by case basis depending upon availability.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Please note that students should be prepared to pay a €130 (approximate) residence permit fee to the Romanian National Authority for Foreigners. Further information about visas will be provided upon enrollment.
Additional Costs
Program tuition does not include personal spending money or school-related costs such as books and school trips.
Important Information
Students who have previously participated in an exchange year or semester in another country are ineligible for the Romania year and semester programs.
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Year Program
As a YFU student in Romania, you will live with a Romanian host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:
School
YFU exchange students will attend a Romanian public high school, called Liceu or Colegiu (college-preparatory school) and take classes in one of two main fields of study: sciences or humanities. A ten-point grading system is used, with the highest level being 10 and 5 denoting a passing grade. Your school will place you according to your age and previous academic performance, usually in the 10th or 11th grade. Gap year students will most likely be placed in the 12th grade, although it will be up to your school to decide. Enrollment in bilingual English, German, or French classes is possible.
Orientations
All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Upon arrival in Romania, students will attend a 3-day orientation seminar along with YFU exchange students from all over the world. Students staying for the full academic year will have the chance to participate in a mid-year international orientation seminar run by YFU Romania, which includes a city tour and cultural visits. During this seminar you will have the opportunity to meet international students currently spending their exchange year in Bulgaria, Moldova, and Greece. You'll end your incredible experience in Romania with a two-day re-entry orientation. All orientations costs are included in program tuition.
Language
Romanian. Romanian is a romance language related to Spanish, Rhaeto-Roman, and French. It is very similar to Italian. Previous language study is not required, but encouraged. Students may be placed in English/Romanian bilingual schools.
A Romanian basic language course is available for an additional fee of approximately 400 Euro. This price includes two weeks of language lessons upon arrival as well as assignments and tutoring by YFU staff. After two weeks, students are provided with a booklet and CD so they can continue their language classes in their Romanian host city.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Fall Year | Early September | Late June | $11,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Romanian high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Romania Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2024 Fall Departures: Students born September 30, 2006 - July 30, 2009.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Host Family Placement
May be located throughout the country, often in medium-sized cities with a carefully selected, native Romanian-speaking host family.
+ Semester Program
As a YFU student in Romania, you will live with a Romanian host family and attend a local high school. Part of your experience will be:
School
YFU exchange students will attend a Romanian public high school, called Liceu or Colegiu (college-preparatory school) and take classes in one of two main fields of study: sciences or humanities. A ten-point grading system is used, with the highest level being 10 and 5 denoting a passing grade. Your school will place you according to your age and previous academic performance, usually in the 10th or 11th grade. Gap year students will most likely be placed in the 12th grade, although it will be up to your school to decide. Enrollment in bilingual English, German, or French classes is possible.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July. This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Upon arrival in Romania, students will attend a 3-day orientation seminar along with YFU exchange students from all over the world. All orientations costs are included in program tuition.
Language
Romanian. Romanian is a romance language related to Spanish, Rhaeto-Roman, and French. It is very similar to Italian. Previous language study is not required, but encouraged. Students may be placed in English/Romanian bilingual schools.
A Romanian basic language course is available for an additional fee of approximately 400 Euro. This price includes two weeks of language lessons upon arrival as well as assignments and tutoring by YFU staff. After two weeks, students are provided with a booklet and CD so they can continue their language classes in their Romanian host city.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Fall Semester | Early September | Early January | $10,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Enrollment in a local Romanian high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Romania Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2024 Fall Departures: Students born September 30, 2006 - July 30, 2009.
- Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Host Family Placement
May be located throughout the country, often in medium-sized cities with a carefully selected, native Romanian-speaking host family.