Moldovan students begin new studies in Romania
Students from the Republic of Moldova have just returned from a one-week summer vacation and have already begun the academic year. In contrast, those studying in Romania will return to their classrooms on Monday. Hundreds of young people from the Republic of Moldova arrived in Iași, where they will spend the next few months away from home. Most of them brought bags and suitcases filled with items prepared for the new academic year. For these students, the start of school brings a mix of emotions: excitement for a new year, the joy of reuniting with classmates, and the sadness of parting with their families.
At the bus station in Iași, there was a lot of commotion today, especially at the platforms where buses and minibuses from the Republic of Moldova were arriving. Among the passengers were many students who, with their luggage packed from home and excitement for a new beginning, were returning to Romania for a new academic year.
"What did your mother cook for you?" - "Baked duck, tomatoes, cheese. We Moldovans enjoy something special. After the homemade food, we’ll have to get used to school meals."
"I have a lot of luggage; I mostly packed clothes. But I didn't bring any groceries because I didn’t have time to buy any," another student replied.
"Apparently, I put my whole family in trouble because I had my father come from Moldova to help us with the bags. I ended up with two large suitcases and eight more bags of personal belongings. Typical for girls..."
Most students studying in Iași stay in the dormitories of educational institutions. Loredana Ciobanu, who is from Ungheni, is in her final year at the National College of Arts "Octav Băncilă".
"I am already familiar with the process of entering the dormitory; I know what my needs are", she says. When asked what she brought from home, she replied, "I brought pies. My mother made them for me because home-cooked pies are the best".
"In this dormitory, we have nine children from the Republic of Moldova. The most important rule in this dormitory is to be back in the room by 9:00 PM. If this is respected and they are understanding and communicate with us, it is perfect. The rooms in the dormitory were renovated, and each room has its own bathroom; in particular, the beds and mattresses were replaced, says Professor Tudor Lenţa.
The 2026-2027 school year in Romania begins on Monday. This year, more than 300 Moldovan students have been accepted into lyceums and colleges in Romania, with 130 of them enrolled at institutions in Iași. Students studying in Romania will return to classes on October 1.
Author: Daniela Nemerenco
