Hi, I'm Cristhian Gómez and I'm a StudyInRomania Ambassador. If someone saw me right now in Estonia, they probably wouldn't guess the journey I took to get here. Whenever I introduce myself, people give me an incredibly surprised look: "How is it that you are from Venezuela, you study in Romania, and now you are on Erasmus+ in Estonia?". Well, yes, and although it sounds like a very strange mix, this is exactly what makes my student life in Europe so interesting and shows how StudyInRomania can open doors to study in Europe through Erasmus+.
Just when I thought I had already overcome the cold, life gave me a geography lesson. I left Romania seeing the end of winter, with the hope that spring was just around the corner, but upon landing in Estonia I realized that I had at least two more months of cold ahead of me. Sometimes one makes the mistake of thinking that because it is all "Europe" the seasons work the same, and the truth is they don't; the Baltic winter is on another level, and experiencing different climates is also part of what it means to study in Europe.
When I arrived in Romania, my brain tried to associate Romanian words with Spanish to survive, and although it was a challenge, it felt familiar because of the Latin roots. Here in Estonia it is another world; for now, the only things I know how to say are "hello" (tere) and "thank you" (aitäh). The language sounds like nothing I've heard before, but that's part of the process. I have also noticed the change in personality: people here are much quieter than in Romania or Venezuela, but once you know them, they are incredibly kind and willing to help. This contrast between Romania and Estonia is one of the reasons why studying in European universities through Erasmus+ is so enriching for international students.
My daily life now is a constant balance. I came to do my thesis and I have double tutoring between my university in Romania and the one in Estonia. Although the education system is different and it was hard to adapt at first, I feel that I am making the most of both worlds. Romania gave me the foundation and the warmth, and Estonia is giving me a different structure and perspective. Each country has its pros and cons, and being able to compare them while I do my research is a unique opportunity in my life. This kind of mobility program in Europe, combining universities in different countries, is exactly what Erasmus+ and StudyInRomania encourage for students who want to study in Europe.
In the end, being a Venezuelan representing Romania while doing his Erasmus in Estonia makes me understand that borders are just lines on a map, and I learned that in Romania. If you want to live an adventure that forces you to grow and see the world with different eyes, I highly recommend starting this path. The StudyInRomania platform was my starting point, and look at how far it has brought.
So, if you're an international student thinking about studying in Europe, look at what Romania and StudyInRomania have to offer - it might be the first step toward your own adventure across European universities.