Category: Experience
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A Weekend Getaway: Exploring Romania Beyond Cluj
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One of the best parts of studying in Cluj-Napoca is its perfect location for weekend escapes. Romania is full of incredible places to visit, and during my Erasmus experience, I’ve had the chance to explore a few of them. Here are my top adventures so far: Brașov: The City with a Fairy Tale Vibe Nestled…
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Sustainable Eating in Cluj: How to Reduce Food Waste as a Student
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Living as a student in Cluj-Napoca can be an adventure sometimes. Especially when managing groceries and food waste. You don’t want to overbuy, but the cravings hit while you’re shopping and when you get home you realize that you don’t feel like eating those apples right now, so they end up rotting again on the…
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How Erasmus Changed My Perspective on Identity and Independence
When I first arrived in Cluj-Napoca, Romania for my Erasmus semester, I expected a fun adventure but didn’t anticipate how much it would challenge my sense of self. Coming from the Netherlands, where independence and efficiency are highly valued, I thought I knew who I was. But living abroad forced me to rethink these aspects…
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Rethinking Dutch Culture: My Erasmus Experience in Cluj-Napoca
As a Dutch Erasmus student now studying in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, I’ve had a chance to reflect on my Dutch identity in ways I didn’t expect. Coming from Antwerp, Belgium, the differences felt familiar—Belgium and the Netherlands share a lot culturally. But moving to Romania was a different story, one that forced me to rethink aspects…
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A Very Romanian Christmas: Celebrating the Holidays Abroad
Spending Christmas far from home is always a little bittersweet. Back in the Netherlands, my family has our own festive traditions—setting up the tree together, eating gourmetten (miniature grilling at the table), and opening gifts by the fireplace. This year, though, I found myself celebrating the holidays in Romania with the family of a friend. What could…
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How I Survived My First Grocery Shopping Trip in Cluj-Napoca
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Moving to a new country means learning a lot of little things you’d never think twice about at home—like grocery shopping. My first trip to a Romanian supermarket was a crash course in adaptation, from puzzling over labels to discovering local specialties that I’d never seen before. The Language Barrier Maze Walking into the supermarket…
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My First Month in Cluj-Napoca: A Dutch Journalist’s Perspective
Moving abroad is always an adventure, but as a journalism student from Antwerp, I wasn’t fully prepared for how different life in Cluj-Napoca would be. From settling into the dorms to experiencing nightlife with names like “Flying Circus,” my first month here has been a whirlwind of unexpected challenges, quirky surprises, and memorable moments. Checking…