Welcome to Romania Monica Stancu Columbia University

First Impressions  What do you know about Romania?  Where is Romania located?

Do you know this guy?

The character of Dracula is actually based on Vlad III or Vlad the Impaler. When the Ottomann Empire expanded into Romania in the 15 th century, he became infamous because of the brutal punishments he inflicted on his enemies.

But, there is much more to Romania than just “vampires”… For example, do you know where it is located?

But, there is much more to Romania than just “vampires”… For example, do you know where it is located?

ROMANIA –Facts  Location: Romania is the largest country in South-Eastern Europe  Surface:Romania covers an area of 238,000 km² (almost as big as the UK or Michigan)  Official Language: Romanian

People  Ethnic groups: Slightly less than 90% are Romanians, 6.5 % Hungarians, 2.5% Roma.  Religions: Eastern Orthodox 86.8%, Protestant 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim)

Popular Sports:  Soccer  Gymnastics

Nadia Comaneci

Steaua Stadium

Tourist Attractions

Bucharest

University of Bucharest

Bran Castle

Pelisor Castle

Bicaz

The Sphinx

Black Sea

My Home Life as a Teen  Stigma associated with having divorced parents  Class discrimination  Peer pressure

Discrimination  How are people discriminated against in your country?  Have you ever felt discriminated against?  Is it different being a minority women than being a minority man?

Discrimination : the Roma  Gender and Race Discrimination  Roma traditions: Early and arranged marriages  Why do you think getting married young would be bad?

Early Marriages=> Lack of access to proper education => unemployment=> lack of proper housing

Ethnic Tensions  Romanians vs. the Hungarian minority over Transylvania (central part of Romania)  After World War II, Transylvania was freed from the Austro-Hungarian empire and returned to Romania  However, the Hungarians living there feel that the territory belongs to Hungary

HIV/AIDS Discrimination  Many children born between were infected with contaminated blood transfusions from hospitals  "Forty percent of the HIV youngsters are not in school. The discrimination against those whose status is known is so great that many face daily harassment by teachers and fellow students. In some cases they have been expelled from school.”  Testimonial: “All the children made fun of me at my school. They said things like, “Don’t touch him, you’ll get it.” The adults saw it but didn’t do anything. One time, I fell under a tree and I couldn’t get up, and I asked my classmates to help me, but no one would and I was there for half an hour before I could get up. I was in seventh grade then... ”

Romanian Migrants Discriminated  Romania entered the European Union => Romanians are free to travel and work in Western Europe

Don’t be a Victim!  Those who are discriminated against can choose to either accept the negative label or rise above it and prove them wrong  It’s up to you!  “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Look at Me Now…  I travelled outside Romania for the first time  I got to enjoy the two most expensive colleges in the US (Sarah Lawrence and Columbia University) for FREE

Tools for Self- Growth  Reading  Learning new languages  Going to Museums  Dance/Theater Classes  Dream/Plan Big

Thank you! Multumesc!