Why Romania?
What made you choose Romania as your study destination?
Romania is my home, and travelling around the world showed me that accessible, reliable, and high-quality education is closer than we often think. I trusted the advice of my senior peers, and I found exactly what I expected: a supportive educational system that is aligned with today’s world and European standards.
How has your experience in Romania been so far?
Tell us about your studies, daily life, and what stands out most to you. (In what ways has this experience supported your
academic or professional growth?)
It has been a period where I could grow in so many ways and dimensions. Pre-university Melisa would look up to today’s Melisa and see someone who was given so much support and pushed to achieve her best by the exceptional professors I was fortunate to have in Romania.
Life as a medical student is often thought to revolve around a strict, rigid routine. My university proved the exact opposite! A typical day for me can include practical laboratory work, lectures, and simulation workshops on the one hand, and campus gatherings, cozy café catch-ups, volunteering sessions, and university-hosted symposia or congresses on the other.
What do you think about your study programme, instructors (teachers, staff), and university facilities?
How do they compare with what you expected before coming here?
My professors and mentors were the ones who truly helped me reach new professional heights. Initially, my expectations regarding relationships with academic staff were somewhat pessimistic, but my university quickly proved me wrong! The faculty knew exactly how to bridge the gap and make us feel welcome in an unfamiliar environment right from the start, while still encouraging us to speak up and do things our own way. For instance, we were empowered from day one to propose fresh ideas for educational and social initiatives within our university community. In doing so, our professors guided us on how to bring those concepts to life and offered constructive feedback when we needed it most. These mentors will forever be the people who showed me how an institution truly functions, from the ground floor all the way to the top.
What have you learned in Romania — academically, professionally, or personally?
What’s something valuable you can truly say “I learned that in Romania”?
UMFST taught me that a well-rounded graduate is not defined merely by textbook knowledge. We are constantly encouraged to open our minds to fresh perspectives and step outside our comfort zones, where supportive mentors are always ready to guide us. This shifted my focus from simply studying to making my university years a truly horizon-broadening journey. The university achieved this by alternating traditional lectures and practical workshops with enriching activities—giving us the opportunity to meet inspiring professionals, attend conferences, and participate in collaborations with foreign institutions that significantly expanded our professional network. All of this was made possible by my university’s strong international partnerships, which allowed us to see the world with our own eyes, identify real-world challenges, embrace cultural differences, and view global education across a broad spectrum. That is undoubtedly one of the greatest privileges my university has offered me.
What do you enjoy most about living in Romania?
(It could be about the culture, people, food, cities, or your university experience)
Romania showed me how important it is to have a warm and inviting atmosphere to truly enjoy both personal and academic life. And that is entirely thanks to its people. You never feel like an outsider in such a culture, which makes the whole experience twice as enjoyable and rewarding. Romania truly excels when it comes to hospitality, and that is definitely my favourite part of studying in this beautiful country!
Do you have any advice for future international students considering studying in Romania?
What would you say to someone thinking about studying in Romania?
Come open-minded, and you will be guided throughout your journey by dedicated mentors! Come with an open heart, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find a warm community ready to welcome you into this exciting new stage of life. And definitely come with an empty stomach, because there is simply no way Romanians will keep the papanași all to themselves!