About Romania

       

About Romania

Discover the Carpathian Garden: A land of myth, stunning nature, and incredible hospitality.

Welcome to Romania

Located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, Romania is a country of striking contrasts. From the modern, vibrant energy of its cities to the timeless traditions of its countryside, studying here means embarking on an unforgettable adventure full of history, natural beauty, and rich culture.

Geography & Nature

  • The Carpathian Mountains: Dominating the center of the country, they offer breathtaking hiking, skiing, and landscapes.
  • The Black Sea: A lively coastline perfect for summer escapes and student parties (hello, Vama Veche!).
  • The Danube Delta: A UNESCO World Heritage site and Europe's best-preserved delta, teeming with unique wildlife.
  • Romania has four distinct seasons. Prepare for hot, sunny summers and beautiful, snowy winters!

Culture & People

  • A Latin Island: Romanian is a Romance language. If you speak Italian, Spanish, or French, you will pick it up very quickly!
  • Hospitality: Romanians are famous for their welcoming nature. Guests are treated like family.
  • Dracula is just a myth: While Bram Stoker’s legend is famous, the real history of Vlad the Impaler is even more fascinating.
  • The country has a vibrant festival culture, hosting massive events like UNTOLD, Electric Castle, and Neversea.

Top Destinations

  • Transylvania: Explore medieval towns like Brașov, Sibiu, and Sighișoara, alongside stunning castles (Bran and Peleș).
  • Bucharest: The capital city, often called "Little Paris," known for its massive Palace of the Parliament and vibrant nightlife.
  • Bucovina & Maramureș: Famous for their vividly painted monasteries and beautifully preserved wooden churches.
  • Cluj-Napoca & Iași: Major, youthful university cities full of artistic hubs and cafes.

Traditional Food

  • Sarmale: Minced meat mixed with rice, rolled in pickled cabbage - classic Romanian dish.
  • Mămăligă: A type of polenta, often served with cheese and sour cream.
  • Mici (Mititei): Skinless grilled sausages, usually eaten with mustard and bread. 
  • Papanași: A mouth-watering fried dough dessert smothered in sour cream and fruit jam.
  • Pălincă / Țuică: Traditional, highly potent plum brandy. Often offered as a welcome drink.

Practical Info

  • Currency: Romania is in the EU, but we use the Romanian Leu (RON), not the Euro. 1 EUR is approx. 4.9 RON.
  • Internet: Romania boasts some of the fastest and cheapest internet speeds in the entire world!
  • Affordability: Compared to Western Europe, living, eating out, and traveling in Romania is incredibly budget-friendly for students.
  • Transport: Trains (CFR) and cheap domestic flights connect the major cities, making weekend exploration easy.

Fun Facts

  • Bucharest’s Palace of the Parliament is the heaviest building in the world and the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon.
  • Romania is home to Europe's largest population of brown bears (around 6,000 live in the Carpathians).
  • Timișoara (your new home!) was the first city in mainland Europe to have electric street lighting.
  • The modern jet engine was invented by a Romanian, Henri Coandă.