Criminology and Policing students from BCU visited Bucharest, Romania, as part of their course. Designed to deepen the understanding of international criminal justice systems, the highlights of the visit included a visit to Jilava Prison’s Phoenix Therapeutic Community and a VIP tour of the Romanian Parliament. Criminology Student Tia shares her experience of the trip.
Students from Criminology and Policing courses at both final year undergraduate and Master’s level were given the incredible opportunity to visit Bucharest, Romania, to provide insight into comparisons with their Criminal Justice System. As a student passionate about this field, this experience was not only educational, but also unforgettable!
We started the trip off with a day exploring the city of Bucharest. From seeing historic landmarks to trying local foods, it was an amazing introduction to the Romanian culture. I highly recommend trying Papanasi – a delicious Romanian dessert – and getting gelato from Gelateria La Romana. We also visited the Van Gogh Café, a great tourist spot for food!
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The following days of the trip were packed with academic and professional activities, organised by our lecturers. We visited the University of Bucharest, where we participated in a knowledge exchange with Romanian students, discussing the probation service and its role in their justice system.
The real highlight of the trip for me was visiting Jilava Prison. This facility includes Fort 13, a former political prison with a deep and dark history, and the Phoenix Therapeutic Community, which supports inmates battling addiction. As someone aspiring to work within the prison system, getting the chance to engage directly with staff and inmates was incredibly eye-opening. It offered a rare and valuable perspective on how rehabilitation and justice operate in a different cultural context, especially in comparison to UK prisons.
The trip ended with a VIP tour of the Romanian Parliament, where we were able to learn about it's significance to Romania. We then celebrated our final day at the famous Therme Spa, which absolutely lives up to the hype! Experiencing all of this with new friends was a great way to reflect on the trip as a whole!
I’d like to say a huge thank you to my lecturers who made this trip possible! Visiting Romania allowed me to grow not just academically, but personally too. I came back with new friendships and wider perspectives around the complexities of international criminal justice systems!
If you're ever offered the chance to take part in this trip in the future, don’t hesitate—go for it! Although I was nervous to go, it quickly became one of the highlights of my university journey and an experience I’ll carry with me for years to come.