Tag: Eastern Europe

• expectation vs. reality

  I think I’m finally starting to recover from a whirlwind April, which took me to four countries in just four weeks. I’m definitely not complaining—it was exciting, and the fast-paced travel made the month fly by. On top of that, we had a double holiday here: Easter, followed immediately by Labor Day on May 1.…

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• the immigration journey: a comedy of errors

  I did not mean to have this long of a break from the blog but I have been busy traveling and getting some immigration formalities out of the way so I can enjoy the rest of my time here. This post is mainly about my immigration experience and what that was like! It’s also crazy…

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• primavara in Timișoara

  Today marks one month since I arrived in Timişoara, and time has flown by. I’ve been occupied with getting settled and establishing new routines. My class schedule has finally become more consistent, giving me a clearer overview of my daily life. I’ve been busy adding social events, travel plans, and volunteer opportunities to my calendar.…

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• Happy mărțișor

  Yesterday, I celebrated my first Romanian tradition: Mărțișor. This is celebrated on March 1st and the term “mărțișor” is derived from “Martie,” which means March in Romanian. This celebration is deeply rooted in mythology and local customs, blending elements of folklore, the changing seasons, and cultural identity. The Tradition: The central aspect of Mărțișor involves…

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• holding pattern

  It’s hard to believe that I’ve been in Romania for 10 days now, and I’m genuinely relishing every moment of it. Each day brings a sense of accomplishment, whether I’m mastering the tram system or attempting to converse in Romanian. Surprisingly, I’ve found plenty of opportunities for socializing, thanks to the Erasmus Student Network, which…

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• Welcome to Timişoara

  After months of anticipation, I finally embarked on my long-awaited journey. When I arrived, it all felt surreal; the buildup to this moment had been intense. It didn’t hit me until my parents dropped me off at Newark Airport and I boarded the plane that it was really happening. As I stood in the airport,…

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• noroc, românia!

  I have been deciding whether or not this is the craziest thing I’ve ever done. As a former small business owner, I experienced my fair share of adventures navigating entrepreneurship. I also moved solo across the country because I wanted a change of pace. Working in the hospitality industry in Portland, Oregon during COVID was…

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