A Survival Guide to Studying Abroad (part 2)
Deva, Romania; Source: Pașca Daniel on Pexels
In the last article we touched subjects such as the ideal mindset to have when studying abroad, the ultimate checklist and how to find housing when moving to Romania for your mobility, and expectations vs reality. Today, we will talk about how to adjust to the Romanian culture, how to meet new people, how to study effectively, and some practical tips on learning the language. Ready? Let’s go!
Adjusting to the Romanian Culture
First things first, let's talk about the culture shock. Don’t be scared, it's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when you first arrive in a new country. I did a mobility abroad too, in the south of Portugal, and although there were not many cultural differences, adjusting to a new environment was a little bit challenging. However, I learned how to take it easy, talked a lot on the phone to friends and family, and I made sure to have enough me time: walking alone to explore the city, journaling and going for solo coffee dates.
One of the best ways to adjust to the Romanian culture is to get involved in community events and activities. Talk to locals, make friends among people in your courses, and join local events. Romanian people are some of the most welcoming people you’ll meet – and I’m not saying this just because I am Romanian – so don’t worry! Which brings us to…
Making Friends in Romania
The key to meeting new people in Romania is to be open-minded and outgoing. Join student organizations at your university (I used to be in three at a time when in college, and in one when studying abroad – it helped me develop my skills and make a lot of friends), attend social events, and strike up conversations with locals. You'll be amazed at how quickly you'll make friends and, hopefully, form lifelong connections. Here’s a tip: if you are invited to someone’s home for lunch or dinner, don’t hesitate to accept! But I warn you, you shall finish everything on your plate as this is a way of letting your host know that you enjoyed their food.
If you want to learn more about how to make friends during your mobility in Romania, I invite you to read this blog post with a lot more tips, including using OLS to chat with people on the forums, such as this discussion topic or this one.
How to Study Effectively
So far, we only discussed about the fun part of studying abroad, but let’s not forget the actual studying. Balancing academics with moving to a new country can be challenging, but with a little bit of discipline and time management, you'll be able to handle everything.
Start by creating a study schedule and sticking to it. Set aside dedicated time each day for your assignments, but don't forget to leave room for fun and exploration too! When studying abroad, I used to set aside 1 hour every morning to revise what I had to do for that day, and another 1-2 hours right after classes to either get ready for the next day or arrange in folders my notes from that day. I found this system to be very helpful for the future exams. You will also notice that, in Romania, teachers tend to practice cold calling, so it’s better to go to classes prepared. Class attendance is also highly appreciated, and you often get extra points for it!
If there is something left unclear after class, don't be afraid to go to your professor and ask for help when you need it – they are there to support you every step of the way. I used to make study groups with my classmates, and we would explain to each other anything unclear, so this could also help you to study effectively and make friends.
One last tip – you could go and study in the library. It’s less likely to get distracted and, when taking breaks, you can talk to your classmates or meet new people. My favorite libraries to go to study in Bucharest were The National Library and Central University Library Carol I. Don’t miss on Carturesti Carousel Library – you can’t really study there, but it is very pretty.
Carturesti Carousel, Bucharest; Source: Ondrej Bocek on Unsplash
Practical Tips on Learning the Language
First, don’t get pressured into becoming fluent in Romanian. Learning the basics will be just enough to enhance your experience and help you connect with locals on a deeper level. OLS is here to help! You can use the Practice your Romanian forum and read discussion topics such as Learn Some Basic Romanian Before Moving (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3). Don’t hesitate to comment, so you can practice the language! I am here to reply, and I would love to chat in Romanian with you :-)
Last but not least, one of the best ways to learn Romanian is through immersion. Surround yourself with the language by listening to Romanian music, watching Romanian films, read books (here are the books that I suggested you to read in March) and practicing with native speakers whenever possible. Talking about, stay tuned because you will get a chance to do this on OLS very soon!
Studying abroad in Romania as an Erasmus student is an adventure in itself. From embracing the culture to making lifelong friends, you'll be left with so many memories. Noroc si ne vedem pe forumuri! (Good luck and see you on the forums!)
I’d love to hear your feedback on this blog post in the comments below. Was it useful? Do you have anything else to add? Let me know! :)
Roxana, OLS Community Manager – Romanian
Source: Unsplash