My Language Learning Journey - Daniela Ioana Ignat
Hello, dear community!
Let me introduce the series “My Language Learning Journey”, where we will share the stories of people who have completed a mobility programme in Romania.
Today, we will hear the story of Daniela Ioana Ignat, and learn about her Erasmus experience. She will tell us about her language-learning journey and how she adjusted to Romania.
Hi, Ioana! Can you present and talk a little bit about yourself?
My name is Ioana, I’m 20 years old, and I was born in Romania, but I grew up in Barcelona. I completed a Higher Technician in Oral Hygiene (EQF Level 5).
Nice! Can you tell us where you did your mobility? How and why did you choose the place to go?
I completed my mobility in Constanța, Romania. I chose this location for several personal reasons. Although I was born in Romania, I left when I was only three years old, so I never had the chance to live there with full awareness of my surroundings or culture. This experience allowed me to reconnect with my roots, spend quality time with my family, and immerse myself more deeply in the Romanian culture.
What language did you study and why is it important for you to learn languages?
I studied Romanian. Although I am Romanian, I had never formally studied my native language, so there were areas in which I needed to improve. This opportunity allowed me to work on that and enhance my language skills. Personally, I enjoy learning new languages and discovering similarities between them. I believe that learning languages opens doors and broadens your mind, as it provides the ability to understand much more and communicate with a greater number of people.
And how was your experience getting used to the language?
In my case, adapting to the language was relatively easy, as I was already familiar with it. During the language proficiency test, I was placed at a B2 level. Thanks to this experience, I was able to improve my language skills significantly, as I had to communicate in Romanian every day and couldn’t rely on Spanish. At the beginning, I struggled to express myself clearly, and often people had difficulty understanding me, which meant I had to repeat things several times. However, after two months of daily practice, both my colleagues and I noticed a clear improvement in my communication skills.
That’s amazing, congrats! What advice would you give to someone who is starting to learn a new language?
My advice would be to never give up. In the beginning, learning a new language can be difficult and discouraging, as the results are not visible immediately. However, over time, both you and those around you will begin to see the effort you've put in and the progress you've made. Another important tip is to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. In addition to practising grammar (such as doing typical school exercises), try watching series or videos in the language. Gradually, you’ll start to understand more and pick up new vocabulary without even realizing it.
And did OLS help you to improve your language level?
Yes, as I mentioned, I had never formally studied Romanian before. OLS really helped me improve my language skills. It made it easier to understand the grammar rules, improve my reading, and expand my vocabulary. It also helped me with grammar and listening, and overall gave me more confidence in using Romanian during my mobility.
What do you think about the OLS platform? Do you think it is useful, do you advise Erasmus students to use the community?
The platform is easy to use and useful for improving any language you're learning. It offers a variety of languages and has many helpful resources. The managers post almost daily, sharing interesting information about the country and its culture, which is a great addition. I also had the opportunity to make a call to practice the language further. So yes, I highly recommend Erasmus students to use the platform, participate, and try to interact, even if it can be a bit intimidating at times. It really helps you improve.
I’m so happy you like the platform! It’s a pleasure for me to post and engage with the community. Was this your first experience abroad? How long did you stay in Romania?
No, it was not my first experience abroad, but it was my first time living abroad for such a long period. I stayed in Romania for two months.
How was your mobility experience? What did you like the most? Anything that surprised you? Anything you didn't like?
I am truly grateful for my experience. It was exactly what I needed. I had the chance to reconnect with my culture while also developing my skills as a dental hygienist. It’s hard to pinpoint what I liked the most because the entire trip was so meaningful to me. Although there were a few things I didn’t like, they were minor and didn’t take away from the overall experience.
There were several things that surprised me during my time in Romania, especially how everyday life felt so different compared to Spain. One of the things I most enjoyed was observing the differences between the two countries.
If I had to recommend one place, it would be the 'Faleza', where Constanța's casino is located. The first time I walked there, I was immediately enchanted. I fell in love with it right away and thought, "Wow! Coming to Constanța was worth it just for this spot." It’s simply beautiful. I walked there almost every day, watching the sunset, listening to the sound of the sea, and often hearing people playing instruments. The atmosphere was so charming and romantic. The area also offers many restaurants, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal.
Faleza Constanța; Source: Ioana Ignat
Any advice you would like to give to someone preparing to go on mobility?
I would highly recommend participating in a mobility program, even though it can come with its own challenges. It’s a life-changing experience that’s definitely worth it. There may be times when you feel uncertain or face difficulties, but trust me, once the experience is over, you won’t regret it. One of the main challenges might be finding accommodation or even securing a place for your internship or work placement, so my advice would be to plan ahead and give yourself enough time to sort everything out. Patience is key, and don't hesitate to ask your school or program organizers for help if you have any questions. If you’re not familiar with the language of the country, it’s a good idea to practice a little before you go. Even learning the basics will help you feel more confident and ease your transition into everyday life.
Love your answer! Well, here comes the last question: how did the mobility help you to grow?
My mobility experience helped me a lot in improving my skills as a dental hygienist. It was also the first time I lived “on my own,” so I learned a lot about independence. The experience made me appreciate certain things that we often take for granted. It also helped me get to know myself better and reflect more deeply. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, which was challenging but rewarding. Without a doubt, it was an experience that helped me grow significantly, both professionally and personally. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to live this experience. If you have the chance, don’t hesitate to go for it. You won’t regret it.
That's it, dear community! If you also wish to share with me about your Erasmus experience, please comment here. I look forward to hearing your stories!
Roxana, OLS Community Manager - Romanian