AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM IN ROMANIA
Discover a land of cultures and diversity
Why Romania?
- Because it is one of the most beautiful countries of Southeast Europe
- Few regions offer a more dazzling display of cultural and artistic treasures than Romania
- Romania still claims regions that seem bastions of a medieval past long since lost elsewhere – Romania has majestic castles, medieval towns, great hiking and wildlife
- Diversity – there are 20 official minorities in Romania. Don’t wonder if you’ll hear somebody speaking Hungarian on you right and German in your left in the bus
- Romanians are known for their friendliness and warmth – it won’t be hard for you yo find lifetime friends and accommodate to the Romanian lifestyle
- A diverse cuisine – the Romanian cuisine has a wide range of influences depending on the region of the country – German, Hungarian, Russian, even Turkish – and a lot of original traditional ideas!
- Sports – Romania is a country with tradition for sports. Just think of Ilie Năstase, Nadia Comăneci or Gheorghe Hagi
It wasn’t until after my exchange year that I came to understand that Romania is truly a hidden gem! Having chosen Romania on a whim, I was oblivious as to what I might experience while in country. However, I can honestly say that I am grateful to have chosen Romania, as I embraced a culture that is distinctly European, yet also unique in its own right. The Romanian people are unequivocally pleasant, their warmth being evident from the moment I deplaned in Bucharest. Despite distance, I’ve maintained the relationships that I established while in country; relationships with my host family, former classmates, and other exchange students. Reflecting now on my time spent abroad, I feel content with having embraced Romania as my host country. Beautiful landscapes, lively people, a charming language; I wish everyone the opportunity to experience the Romania that I did four years ago.
I have spent my exchange year in Târgu Mureș. I consider this experience, which I lived, thanks to YFU an absolut gain. I’ve got to know a completely different culture, I’ve learned a foreign language and I had the chance to develop special and profound relationships with my host family and my new friends from Romania. After getting back home to Germany, I wished to come back to Romania. So I decided to spend another year in Sibiu. In 2010 I graduated the “Samuel von Brukenthal” college with very good results. The experience I went through thanks to YFU expanded my professional possibilities and more important than everything, it shaped my character. This is why I feel, that with YFU I made on of the biggest steps in my life towards my personal development.
I’m going to ask you a question, and I’m going to need an answer within 20 seconds.
Can you give me 5 facts about România?
If you can’t, don’t worry. Neither could I before I went. I actually asked myself this question about the countries I considered going to as an exchange student. One of the reasons I went to România was that I knew the least about it. If you were to ask me now, I would be able to tell you that:
1. Romanian is a latin language
2. Romanians tell better jokes than all other european peoples.
3. Romania has stunning nature. There are also tons of castles, which kind of make it seem like a fairytale country.
4. The legend of Dracula originates in Romania.
5. Romanians celebrate the arrival of spring on March the 1st every year.
When you’re deciding on where to go on exchange, you certainly have a lot to choose from. I believe it’s in the spirit of the programe to choose something less familiar. If you’ve already decided to go with YFU, you’ve already made a good decision. I just want to help you to make the best possible. A year in Romania in an awesome high school, close friends and the most caring host family you could ever imagine was without a doubt the best choice for me, and would be for you aswell.
Hoping you make the rightest choice
Tormod
