Living here already a year and a half, I already have what to tell about my experience in the country of Dracula. Why I am calling it this way, because before coming here the only thing I knew about Transylvania was its vampire legends. A lot of people were asking me, why did I choose Romania? Now I can answer to this question. First of all, I wanted to study abroad, to get acquaintance with another culture, people, but why exactly Romania and not another country? I think because this country seemed to have a lot of mysteries which I wanted to discover.
As far as I know, we are the first students from Kazakhstan in Cluj. If other foreign students would know about this wonderful city, they would come here to study as well, but all of them have wrong stereotypes about Romania. When I first came to Romania, I had no idea what was waiting me. At the current moment I am already in the second year: at the beginning it was kind of hard to get used to everything, but the time has passed and I am glad to be here. My college professors are very friendly and always open to help. I really appreciate it.
I live in a student campus with another four girls in the room, two of them Romanians, one Moldavian, and the fourth is my colleague from Kazakhstan. At first it was pretty hard to share the room with so many people, but eventually I got used to it, and I’ve found in campus some good friends. I like the student town in Haşdeu, it is very comfortably constructed, and you can even find here a fitness club. When I am going out from my dormitory, I feel like in a fairytale: the high powerful trees surrounding you everywhere! In the winter season the white snow magically sparkles and in autumn you can see a lot of beautiful yellow-green-red colored leaves. Here in Cluj, you have a lot of opportunities to be involved in the student life, all you need to have is will and desire.
During this period I have already been to Braşov, visited The Bran Castle, went to the ski resort, and to Salina in Turda. When we went to the ski slopes, I saw beautiful nature which was breathtaking. I also went on the 1st of December to Alba Iulia, where I saw the parade – nicely dressed military forces, a lot of different military cars. People seemed to be very patriotic, holding flags, going downtown to watch the parade in such a cold weather.
I tried once in Braşov the traditional mici with muştar, and I really enjoyed it. From then on, every time in traditional holidays I go and eat this delicious dish. In the nearest future I am planning to visit Sighişoara, I’ve heard it is the most beautiful city in Romania.
I like here the weather, because in my country the winter season is very cold, especially in the capital, where I live – it is the second coldest capital in the world. One of my friends once invited me to his hometown, where I discovered that Romanian people are hospitable – his family was very happy to have us as guests, and treated us with a delicious lunch. Afterwards we went climbing the mountains, and there as well I was amazed with the beautiful nature of Romania.
There were a lot of cases where I have seen how friendly people are in Transylvania. I’ve found here some really good friends, not only from Romania but also from other countries: people with deep thinking, who are always open to help, and with whom I spend a wonderful time.
I am sure that when I’ll go back home after graduating my university, I will miss Cluj very much. I will miss my friends, teachers, student town, streets, and some day I will come back here again. But now I have 1.5 years more to live here, and a lot of interesting events are waiting for me!
Articol publicat în ACCENTbasarabean Nr.7
Shynar Amrina
