Study Abroad

Students will immerse themselves in post-communist Romania by living with a host family and settling into life in Galati (an industrial city on the Danube River in the east of Romania). Students will participate in the Word Made Flesh community, serving Jesus among the poorest of the poor. Alongside experienced Christian workers, students will participate in service among vulnerable and marginalized children and families through Community Centers and involvement in impoverished neighborhoods. Part of the educational experience will involve visiting communist remnants like Ceausescu’s House of the People, cultural sites like northern Romania’s medieval Orthodox monasteries, and the beauty landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains and Danube River. Students will also journey to two or more of the following countries to compare post-communist contexts: Serbia, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova, or Bulgaria.

This is a sample of class activities and timeline:

Semester Cost: $14,500

Cost includes:

• Tuition
• Host fees, food, program travel and accommodations
• Excursions part of the program

Does not include:

• Airfare
• Books
• Personal expenses

• Interns serve in a supportive role alongside local staff and are under their direct supervision.
• Internship placement will be made based on area of need in the field, with consideration given to applicants’ skills and backgrounds.
  • Students have served in roles such Administrative Intern, Ministry Intern, and Business Intern.
• Because students will be working with children and vulnerable adults, a background check is required.

Students will receive an accredited transcript from the International Leadership University (ILU-Burundi) is a private Christian and non-denominational training institution fully recognized by the government of Burundi. 

• Students will live with a Romanian host family, experiencing Romanian culture and learning the Romanian language (which will come quickly to those who already have some familiarity with other Latin languages like Spanish and French). All host families are vetted for safety and security under the direct supervision of Word Made Flesh staff.

Is it safe?

The health and safety of study abroad students is a top priority.

Students can prepare for their time abroad by informing themselves about basic health and safety issues before leaving the U.S. Upon arrival, local Word Made Flesh staff will brief you on the safety and security issues specific to that country. Word Made Flesh staff follows U.S. State Department advice and local staff knowledge and recommendations.

Students are encouraged to exercise caution, to follow the advice of Word Made Flesh’s local knowledge, to stay abreast of local conditions, to seek additional information regarding their study abroad country, to monitor their own health, and to stay in touch with Word Made Flesh staff and students should an issue arise.

Each student will be provided with a phone and/or phone card so that staff can be contacted with any questions at all times.

Do I need to be a Christian in order to participate in this study abroad program?

No. The program is open to students of any faith background as long as they are respectful of, engaged with, and willing to abide by the values and religious practices of Word Made Flesh during their time of study abroad. WMF is based in the Christian tradition, and thus, curriculum is taught from a Christian worldview.

Yes. You may download a passport application or pick one up from any U.S. post office. Some post offices also receive completed applications, but not all locations do so. When you take the completed passport application in to be filed, you must bring the application fee as well as every other piece of information requested on the application. You will not be given a passport if you don’t have all the required documents in hand. The passport process may take a couple months, so be sure to allow enough time to receive your passport, especially if you are visiting a country that requires that you get a visa. You need your passport before you can apply for a visa. 

Your program coordinator will list the immunizations that have been recommended for your respective travel location. You can also check the Center for Disease Control‘s recommendations for your destination. You should contact your health care professional for his/her recommendations about vaccines to get before traveling. Keep in mind that some of the immunizations require multiple vaccines over several weeks, so you’ll want to start this process early.

Yes. U.S. citizens receive a visa at the airport upon arrival in Romania, and your program coordinator will ensure you have all the necessary visas to enter other countries in the region to which you will travel. Note that you will need a valid U.S. passport to apply for visas, so you will want to start the process early if you don’t have your passport yet as it can take up to 2 months to receive it. You can visit Visa Central to get an idea about your host country’s visa requirements, but keep in mind that visa requirements and applications processes are subject to change at a moment’s notice (at governments’ discretion) and the information shown may not be accurate. Your program coordinator will have the most updated information.

Is it safe?

The health and safety of study abroad students is a top priority.

The best way for students to prepare for their time abroad is to inform themselves about basic health and safety issues before leaving the U.S. Upon arrival, local Word Made Flesh staff will brief you on the safety and security issues specific to that country.

Students are encouraged to exercise due caution, to follow the advice of Word Made Flesh’s local knowledge, to stay abreast of local conditions, to seek additional information regarding their study abroad country, to monitor their own health, and to stay in touch with Word Made Flesh staff and students should an issue arise.

Rwanda consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. While Burundi has experienced some political and safety concerns in the past, Program Directors will follow U.S. State Department advice and local staff knowledge and recommendations.

Do I need to be a Christian in order to participate in this study abroad program?

No. The program is open to students of any faith background as long as they are respectful of, engaged with, and willing to abide by the values and religious practices of Word Made Flesh during their time of study abroad. WMF is based in the Christian tradition, and thus, curriculum is taught from a Christian worldview.

WMFR seeks abundant life for women in one of Kigali’s most vulnerable communities. Through engagement in the community and holistic programs, WMFR works to restore hope and equip women with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Learn more about our programs here.

Rwanda is most known for its troubled history, most notably the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi where nearly 1 million people were killed. Today, Rwanda is an incredibly thriving country with a growing economy and a commitment to peace. Kigali is the safest and cleanest city in Africa, and the country as a whole has so much beauty to explore! Rwanda has taken the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously, with public mask-wearing requirements and strict vaccine mandates to keep the general population safe.

Summer 2023 program dates: May 22 – July 25

Students will be able receive credit for the following course:

• Community Development & Approaches to Poverty, 3 credits, David Chronic, PhD. Candidate Intercultural and Diversity Studies

• Cross-Cultural Field Practicum

Semester Cost: $6,800

Cost includes tuition, room and board, and excursions/field trips. 

Does not include: Flight, immunizations, Rwandan visas, or COVID tests required for travel.

Students will stay with a host family during their 8 weeks in Rwanda. All host families are thoroughly vetted for safety and security by our staff. Homestays are an incredible experience and are integral to building community and forming relationships as we seek to live with and work alongside people. 

We are committed to maintaining student safety and health. Rwanda as a whole has been very proactive in preventing the spread of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, and continues to do so. Your supervisor will inform you on the current COVID restrictions and travel protocols prior to your trip.

Community Development & Approaches to Poverty

The context of poverty in which the student will be immersed will pose questions about how to respond. The student will examine poverty issues facing the world and study biblical perspectives on faith, wealth and poverty, theologies of the poor, and examples of the church’s response in history and today in order to formulate their own faithful response.

Cross-Cultural Field Practicum 

Utilize your passions and interests through a cross-cultural field practicum that is designed specifically for you and your time with WMF. Practicums are organized based on the student’s interests and focus of study, which can include: Christian ministry & mission, social work, NGO management, social entrepreneurship & job creation, community health, community development, peace studies, English as a second language, urban farming, and East African studies. Students will contribute to the development of WMFR activities by submitting an evaluation and project proposal based on their field practicum.

“Getting to join the WMF Rwanda was one of the highlights of my life. Rwanda taught me about the beauty of the unexpected and how a willingness to be uncomfortable can tear down walls and pave new understandings.”

“The biggest thing I learned [at WMFR] was that God always intervenes for his people, and made in his likeness, we should also do the same. To find the need and act in a way that is humble and always showing and pointing to God.” 

” Rwanda is breathtakingly beautiful and the people there are as well.”

Is it safe?

The health and safety of study abroad students is a top priority.

The best way for students to prepare for their time abroad is to inform themselves about basic health and safety issues before leaving the U.S. Upon arrival, local Word Made Flesh staff will brief you on the safety and security issues specific to that country.

Students are encouraged to exercise due caution, to follow the advice of Word Made Flesh’s local knowledge, to stay abreast of local conditions, to seek additional information regarding their study abroad country, to monitor their own health, and to stay in touch with Word Made Flesh staff and students should an issue arise.

Rwanda consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. While Burundi has experienced some political and safety concerns in the past, Program Directors will follow U.S. State Department advice and local staff knowledge and recommendations.

Do I need to be a Christian in order to participate in this study abroad program?

No. The program is open to students of any faith background as long as they are respectful of, engaged with, and willing to abide by the values and religious practices of Word Made Flesh during their time of study abroad. WMF is based in the Christian tradition, and thus, curriculum is taught from a Christian worldview.

Yes. You may download a passport application or pick one up from any U.S. post office. Some post offices also receive completed applications, but not all locations do so. When you take the completed passport application in to be filed, you must bring the application fee as well as every other piece of information requested on the application. You will not be given a passport if you don’t have all the required documents in hand. The passport process may take a couple months, so be sure to allow enough time to receive your passport, especially if you are visiting a country that requires that you get a visa. You need your passport before you can apply for a visa. 

Your program coordinator will list the immunizations that have been recommended to us respective to your travel location. You can also check the Center for Disease Control‘s recommendations for your destination. You should contact your health care professional for his/her recommendations about vaccines to get before traveling. Keep in mind that some of the immunizations require multiple vaccines over several weeks, so you’ll want to start this process early.

Yes. Your program coordinator will give you relevant instructions to apply for a visa with the host country. Note that you will need a valid U.S. passport to apply for visas, so you will want to start the process early if you don’t have your passport yet as it can take up to 2 months to receive it. You can visit Visa Central to get an idea about your host country’s visa requirements, but keep in mind that visa requirements and applications processes are subject to change at a moment’s notice (at governments’ discretion) and the information shown may not be accurate. Your program coordinator will have the most updated information.