Romania
is waiting for you...
All you need to know
about living and
studying in Romania
A few words to begin ...
Dear (young) reader,
If you are reading this Guide, it means, at least, that you think to undertake a mobility for learning purposes in Romania.
We hope the information inside its pages will help you to make the good decision to come to Romania for a a few months and then, it will help you to have a smoother induction period, so as to take the maximum benefit from your staying here.
The Guide is the result of a very good practice example of such a mobility – it was written by Estelle Deilhou, who undertook a 5 months Erasmus placement within the National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of Education and Vocational Training. Therefore, the perspective the Guide is drafted from is a genuine one and it offers also the answer for the – probably – most important question: “Why choosing Romania?”
Monica Calotă
Director of The National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of Education and Vocational Training
Table of contents
Romania ... 7
Studying in Romania ... 23 10 student cities ... 35
Living guide ... 61
What else? ... 75
Romania: Don’t get lost, here’s the map! - 8 // Basic information - 9 //
History - 10 // Geography - 11 // Distance between cities - 15 // UNESCO
sites - 16 // Enjoy your meal! - 18 // Meet and Talk! - 20 //Culture and
traditions - 21
Romania
8
Basic information
Official Name: România Capital city: Bucharest (Bucureşti)
Area: 238 391 sq.km
Population: 22 225 421 habitants (July 2009) Density: 98 hab/sq.km (July 2009)
Currency: Lei Official language: Romanian Government type: Parliamentary Democracy
State anthem: “Deşteaptă-te Române!” –
“Awaken, Romanian!”
National day: December 1st
Romania
9
left some marks in the current Romanian language and the Hungarians are the only ones who settled for a longer time, in Transylvania.
During medieval times, the Romanians lived in three provinces: Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. The provinces got united for good in 1918, to form the present Romanian state. Every year on the 1st of December Romania celebrates the Great Union Day which became the National Holiday.
As decades pasted, and after the Second World War, Romania experienced a communist regime, the totalitarian regime of Nicolae Ceauşescu. He undertook giant building projects, constraining the population to live at a rather low standard of life, without any degree of freedom. In 1989, the dictatorship was pushed down and a democratic political system was re-established. A new constitution was adopted in 1991.
Today Romania is part of important international organisations like NATO (2004) and the European Union (2007).
Romania
10
History
At the intersection of the Balkans, the Orient, the Occident and the Slavic Region, Romania owns a turbulent past but got nevertheless its own identity in spite of the invasions and occupations.
In the 1st century B.C. Dacia was created on today’s Romanian territory. Later, between 101 and 106 A.D., the Romans invaded this land and settled here. Marks are still easy to notice in nowadays architecture, language (which is considered a “latin rooted” one), proverbs and popular tales.
From the 3rd to the 12th century, the territory came across many other invasions from the Slaves, Huns, Hungarians, Turks and Mongols. The Slaves (in the 6th century)
Geography
Location and boundaries
Located in Southeastern Europe, Romania is surrounded by Ukraine and Moldova in the Northeast, Hungary in the Northwest, Serbia in the West and Bulgaria in the South. With a coast of 225 km the country has access to the Black Sea on its East side.
Romania is the 13th biggest country in Europe with 238.391 sq.km. It stretches 514km from North to South and 720 km from East to West.
Romania
11
Relief
The Carpathian Mountains (the highest peak is Mt. Moldoveanu at 2544 m) cross Romania from the North to the Southwest. They were glaciated and in Fagaras and Retezat Mountains glacial lakes and mass of rock can be found. These were created when the ice melted around 10,000 years ago.
In the Northeast of Transylvania, the mountains form Europe’s longest volcanic chain. The Carpathian Mountains account for about a third (31%) of the country’s area.
Another third of Romania (33%) is covered by hills and plateaus full of orchards and vineyards.
The final third is a fertile plain of dark chernozem soil, where cereals, vegetables, herbs and other crops grow. The lowest point is the Black Sea at 0 meter.
Romania
12 Water
With a lenght of 2857 km through nine countries, including 1075 km in Romania, the Danube River completes its course in the Danube Delta. The river has become an important source of hydroelectric power and of irrigation water for farming. Romania’s rivers are mainly tributaries of the Danube.
Romania also counts around 2300 lakes and over 1150 ponds.
Fauna
The animal world is also very rich in Romania with various species, such as lichamois, hares, marten, lynxes, foxes, deer, wolves, badgers, bears and many others. Among the bird life also a lot of species are found in the various corners of the country, especially in the Danube Delta.
Flora
Since Romania is surrounded by mountains, the country is rich with various kind of trees and plants. The different regions of the country offer different types of plants. In the Moldavian and Walachian regions you will find a lot of species of grass. Some of these are tall and deep-rooted; some are shallow- rooted etc.
Romanian’s flora gathers approximatively 3,700 species of plants. Among them only 23 have been acknowledged as natural monuments, 74 are extinct, 39 are endangered, 171 are vulnerable and 1,253 are rare occurrences.
The species that are characteristic of pastures represent approximately 37% from the total of species living in Romania. Moreover, there are 600 species of algae and more than 700 species of marine and coastal plants.
Romania
13
Climate
Romania enjoys a temperate-continental climate, which ranges between hot summers and very cold winters with a lot of snow from mid-December until the end of March. Romania’s average annual temperature is 11°C in the south and on the coast, and 2°C in the mountains.
In June, July and August, the hottest places in Romania are in the South Plain, where average temperatures reach 24-30°C. In summer, there are frequent showers and thunderstorms in the mountains.
The mild and sunny days of autumn last from early September until late October. Spring starts in mid-March in most of Romania’s regions, but only in April in the mountains and in the north part of the country.
Annual rainfall is from 600 mm to 700 mm, especially in the spring. Precipitations are the heaviest in Transylvania and in the Carpathian Mountains, where an average of 134 centimeters of rain and snow fall can be observed each year. Dobrogea is Romania’s warmest and driest region, with less than 38 cm of annual rainfall.
Romania
14
Romania Distance between cities
From Bucharest to ...
Amsterdam 2292 Athens 1224 Berlin 1786 Berne 1966 Brussels 2242 Budapest 824 Copenhague 2710
Helsinki 2681 Istanbul 733
Kiev 1291 Chisinau 650
Lisbon 4246 London 2560 Luxemburg 2138 Madrid 3489 Moscow 1899 Paris 2379 Prague 1406 Rome 2039 Sofia 389 Stockohlm 3278
Vienna 1079 Warsaw 1210 Brasov 161 Cluj Napoca 426 Constanta 225 Craiova 248 Iasi 406 Sibiu 282 Timisoara 538
Bianca Galiano, LicART
15
Romania
@: www.patrimoniuromanesc.ro : The photograph Danila Cosmin will take you over the Romanian UNESCO sites.
@: whc.unesco.org > Romania : Official UNESCO website.
16
UNESCO sites
Since 1991, Romania has inscribed seven of its properties on the World Heritage List. Six are registered as cultural properties and one, the Danube Delta, as a natural property.
Wooden Churches of Maramureş (1999) These eight churches are interesting examples of architectural solutions from different periods and regions. They show various designs and craftsmanship adopted in these high timber constructions with their characteristic tall and slim clock towers at the western end of the building.
Churches of Moldovia (1993)
Unique in Europe, these seven churches located in northen Moldavia are considered as masterpieces of Byzantine art thanks to their 15th- 16th century frescoes painted on their exterior walls.
Dacian Forteresses of the Orastie Mountains (1999)
Built during the 1st century BC the Dacian Forteresses are born from an unusual union of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age.
Danube Delta (1991)
The waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the largest and best preserved of Europe’s deltas. The Danube Delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its numerous lakes and marshes.
Villages with fortified Churches in Transylvania (1993)
These seven Transylvanian villages were founded by Transylvanian Saxons. They characterize a specific land-use system, settlement pattern and organization of the family farmstead that have been preserved since the late Middle Ages. These villages are dominated by their fortified churches, which illustrate building styles from the 13th to the 16th century.
Monastery of Horezu (1993)
Prince Constantine Brancoveanu founded the Monastery of Horezu, in Walachia, in 1690. The Monastery is known for its architectural purity and balance, the richness of its sculptural details, the treatment of its religious compositions, its votive portraits and its painted decorative works.
Historic Centre of Sighişoara (1999) Founded by craftsmen and merchants Saxons of Transylvania, Sighişoara is a fine example of a small and fortified medieval town which had been playing an important strategic and commercial role with central Europe for several centuries.
Romania
17
Cosmin Danila
Enjoy your meal!
Romanian traditional food is influenced by both neighbors and invadors. Turkish, Hungarian and Austrian cuisines played an important role. For example the popular main dishes are meat, cabbage rolls, sausages and stews. Romanian food is also influenced by Latin cuisine. Thus you can frequently find Italian and French dishes.
A good example of these influences is Mamaliga, kind of Italian polenta. This corn porridge was traditionaly the basic dish of the Romanians. Muschi poiana consists of mushroom- and bacon-stuffed beef in a puree of vegetables and tomato sauce.
Thanks to its access to the sea, fish is also part of the traditional Romanian cuisine, with for example Saramura, the salty, grilled carp.
Romania
18
At the beginning of your meal you will traditionally start by drinking Tuică, a plum spirit. Then you will follow with red or white wines, such as Recaş, Jidvei, Cotnari, and Drăgăşani. Noroc! is the Romanian for
“Cheers!”
To have a real overview of the Romanian cuisine and culture, you should start your meal with a soup. Soups can be made with meat (Ciorba de Perişoare) or fish (Ciorba de Peşte) and are usually offered on menus at the restaurant. Among others, Zama is a green bean soup with chicken, parsley, and dill.
Besides you can not leave Romania without testing the Mici or Mititei, grilled, grinded or minced meat in the shape of sausages;
Sarmale, minced meat, half beef - half pork, rolled like a sausage and wrapped in cabbage leaves; or also Tocană, spiced stew along with Mamaligă.
The traditional Romanian desserts are close to Baklava, a traditional dessert from the formor Ottoman Empire, a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. To conclude a delicious traditional Romanian meal, you may eat Clătite, Crepes, with various filling and toppings. Poftă bună, the Romanian way of saying “Enjoy your meal!”
Romania
19
Romania
If you plan to learn Romanian before leaving home, you should visit the Romanian Cultural Institut (ICR) of your country. Besides in your home country you should find a “teach yourself book” to learn Romanian in your mother tongue. But if you wait to be in Romania, the Romanian bookstores (Diverta, Humanitas, etc.) will offer you a wider choice of books, in Romanian, English or French.
@: www.icr.ro/bucharest Meet and Talk!
In July 2009, Romania counted 22 225 421 inhabitants. 54% of them live in towns and cities.
The main ethnic group is Romanians with 89%. The other 11% correspond to approxi- matively 2.500.000 habitants belonging to 18 minorities, such as Hungarians (6,6%), Romas (2,5%), Germans (0,3%), Ukrainians (0,3%), Russians, Serbs, Armenians, Turks, Slovaks, Bulgarians, Tatars, Croats...
The national official language in Romania is Romanian and is talked by about 90% of the population.
In 2007, the country signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority languages, which recognizes 20 languages. These ones can be used in the administrations or can be taught at school.
Around 7% of the population speaks Hungarian, especially in Transylvania. The University of Cluj-Napoca for example made the linguistic diversity the motor of its Higher Education system, by providing curriculums in Hungarian or German.
A majority of the population, especially among the youth, speaks English. Most of the film and TV shows are broadcast in original version with Romanian subtitles.
In addition around 25% of the population can speak French as a foreign language.
By the way, Romania has been a member of the “Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie” since 1991.
20
Romania Culture and traditions
Few traditions among others:
Strigare peste sat is an old tradition, which still exists in some villages. A day before the Lent begins, young men of the village meet on a hill in the evening, talk about the news of the village, and criticize the non-married girls, who did not distinguish themselves among the community last year. They shout the names of these girls so that the villagers hear them. Theoretically, these girls can not get married during the coming year.
A bit later, on the first of March, Romanians celebrate the coming of Spring and this very dear celebration is called Mărţişor when small amulets are given by men to women to be worn over the first spring days.
Then follows the Romanian Easter. 85% of the Romanian population is orthodox, and Easter is a significant celebration. Romanians paint eggs to decorate the table or to offer.
On the first of May, which is the Labour day and a day off, people usually go to the seaside or to a picnic in the park with friends or family.
1st of December is the National Day, which celebrates the union of the provinces in 1918. Commemoration ceremonies are followed by military marches. Then various events happen all day long, such as concerts, outdoor shows, etc.
At the end of the year, around the 20th December, a pig is sacrificed in a traditional way for the coming winter celebrations, it is
Public holidays:
- January 1st and 2nd: New Year - April/May: Orthodox Easter - May 1st : Labour Day
- May/June: Rusalii (Pentecost and White Monday): 50 and 51 days after Easter - August 15th: Adormirea Maicii Domnului (Dormition of the Theotokos)
- December 1st, National Day: Celebration of the union of the provinces in 1918.
- December 25th and 26th: Christmas Ignatul. Everybody helps, from family to neighbors. This tradition remains in the villages and small towns.
During the Christmas period, Christmas carols, called Colinde are sung everywhere by young and old, both in the cities and in the country side. They sing from door to door and receive small gifts, such as nuts, dried fruits, cakes, cookies, hotwine, etc.
21
Studying in Romania: Why study in Romania? - 24 // Romanian Educational system - 25 // Romanian Higher Education system - 25 // Studies in Romania for foreigners - 26 // Erasmus in Romania - 28 // Academic Calendar - 29 //
International Students Organisations - 30 // Summer universities - 31
Studying in
Romania
Why study in Romania?
Studying in Romania used to be a difficult process a few years ago. However the country has joined the European Union standards and the process has become much easier for international students to study a graduate degree program in Romania.
Romanian higher education system is nowadays an area of excellence. Every year, thousands of students from all over the world come to carry out their studies in Romania and to find here a blend of tradition and modernity. In addition international students get the possiblity to study in a wide range of institutions (universities, colleges, academies, conservatories, etc.) and in foreign languages, such as English, German, French and Hungarian.
Traditional and new Romanian campuses are well equiped and the students cities are lively all year long. The academic libraries network in Romania offers a rich documentary base, with about 24 million volumes.
Studying in Romania University of Cluj-Napoca
24
Romanian educational system for children
Education in Romania is compulsory between 6 and 16 years old. Until 14, all pupils follow the same system: pre-primary, primary and lower secondary general.
Romanian higher education system The Minister of Education, Research, Youth and Sports is in charge of the Higher Education in the country. In 2007/2008 Romania counted 56 public Higher Education Institutions, and 50 private ones.
To enter in a Higher Education Institution, Romanian students need their high school diploma, Bacalaureat.
Then, the admission in a state university requires an exam or an application. Every year, a certain number of places, determined by the Minister of Education, are put at the disposal of students, free of charges.
Furthermore these Higher Education Institutions are allowed to admit students who pay a study fee and who are accepted through an application, both national and foreign students from outside the European Union.
Students who are not accepted in state university often go to private universities.
Their number has strongly increased in the middle of the 90’s and now they are as important as state universities.
Studying in Romania
University of Cluj-Napoca University of Cluj-Napoca
25
Studying in Romania
Studies in Romania for foreigners The Romanian higher education system has been following the LMD system since 2004. It is structured on three levels for undergraduate/postgraduate studies, which the universities are free to organize as they wish because they are autonomous.
- 1st cycle (Licenţă) corresponding to bachelor degree
- 2nd cycle (Masterat) corresponding to master’s degree and specialization for medical studies,
- 3rd cycle (Doctorat) corresponding to doctor’s degree.
The Romanian higher education system is administered by the Ministry of Education, Research Youth and Sports (MECTS) functioning in keeping with the current national legislation. The Division of Cultural, Educational and Scientific Relations (DRCES) of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) cooperates with MECTS in organizing educational exchanges and ensuring the foreign citizens the possibility to study in Romania.
The ECTS credit system is now compulsory in Romanian Universities. For each year of studies, the student has to get 60 ECTS, which means in general 30 ECTS pro semester.
- In Licenţă: from 180 to 240 ECTS - In Masterat: from 90 to 120 ECTS - In Doctorat: it usually lasts three years in Romania, after which students have to submit a thesis and to present it.
26
Foreign citizens
Foreign citizens can study in Romania:
- either on their own expenses, at Romanian state universities or private Romanian universities, in foreign languages,
- or in Romanian, with a supplementary preparatory year for learning the language, - through various programmes: Erasmus, bilateral cooperation agreements, scholarships offered by the Romanian.
Romanian-born citizens
The Romanian-born citizens living abroad, who want to complete their education with scholarships in a Romanian University, can apply to the Department for Romanians Abroad (DRP) and MECTS. These scholarships are meant to support studies in Romania, to promote Romanian language, culture and civilization, to get young Romanians living abroad specialized in their profession, etc.
Romanian citizens living abroad can study without DRP scholarship by applying directly to the University of their choice with an admission exam. Studies are to be performed under the same conditions applied to other Romanian citizens: without paying the fees, if they qualify for budgeted places or by paying the same fees as other Romanian citizens.
@ : w w w . m a e . r o / i n d e x . php?unde=doc&id=12021
Studying in Romania
Beatrice Boghian, licART
27
Erasmus in Romania
Since starting the preaccession negotiations, in 2007, Romania has integrated the European programmes for Lifelong Learning (or its predecesors, Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci) in its high education system. Thus every year you can meet many Erasmus students in the Romanian campuses. The Erasmus programme provides the possibility to get study or placement experience in Romania, recognized in your home diploma.
Around 1000 European students come every year to study or work in Romania within this programme. How does it work? You stay registered in your home university, but you follow classes and pass your exams in your host university. At the end of each semester, you should get ECTS credits which validate this experience.
The following link lists all the universities participating to the Eramsus programme.
Thus you can find very useful information about Romanian Universities and the cities they are located in. Besides you can get in touch with students experiencing Erasmus in Romania.
Studying in Romania
pic erasmus platform
28
Studying in Romania As an Erasmus in Romania you can follow Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC). It works for less widely used and taught languages at higher education institutions, including the Romanian language.
It lasts from two to six weeks and you will receive a minimum of 15 teaching hours per week. Besides the Erasmus grant, you may receive a supplementary mobility grant from your sending Higher education institution for participating in EILC. You should find information about the organizing institutions and course descriptions in the website of the National Agency of Romania:
@: www.llp-ro.ro > Erasmus > Incoming
> Erasmus Intensive Language Courses (EILC)
Academic Calendar
1st semester lasts from the beginning of October to the end of January, including two weeks for Christmas holidays.
2nd semester lasts from the middle of February to the middle of June, including sometimes 1 – 2 weeks holidays in April.
Summer holidays last from the middle June to the end of September.
29
Studying in Romania
ESN Romania, Erasmus Student Network ESN was founded in 1989 and is present nowadays in 343 Higher Education Institutions from 33 countries. The network is constantly developing and expanding, and offers its services to 150 000 international students. ESN has five sections in Romania:
two in Bucharest, two in Cluj-Napoca and one in Iaşi. ESN sections:
- contribute to the improvement and accessibility of student mobility.
- work to improve the social and practical integration of international students.
- value vonlunteering and work through the system of SHS (Students Helping Students).
@: www.esn.ro - You can also find them on Facebook, the five sections have their owm Facebook page.
International Students organizations AEFR, Association des Etudiants Francophones de Roumanie
acts for French students in Romania in the area of culture and education.
@: www.aefr.ro
AEGEE in Romania (Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe) is a student organisation that promotes co- operation, communication and integration amongst young people in Europe. This association is present in the main student cities of Romania.
@: www.aegee.ro AIESEC Romania
is a student network present in 107 countries and around 60 years old. It has been present in Romania for about 20 years and it is located in 13 Romanian cities. The association is involved in education and career orientation.
With 1270 members and around 100 projects, at national level the association has impact over 50 000 students and 267 companies.
@: www.aiesec.ro
30
ESN Uni Buc
Studying in Romania Summer Universities
If you want to have a beneficial short trip to Romania, one solution is Summer Universities. Many Romanian Universities offer summer schools, for a few weeks, including classes about a specific subject and cultural activities.
Constanţa - Black Sea Summer University (BSSU)
Designed for senior students and young professionals with high potential to become the leaders of tomorrow, BSSU develops the essential building blocks for future success. During the two weeks in Constanta the participants will gain new insights into the impact of globalization on business organizations and how managers could and should react.
@: www.bssu.ro
Sibiu - Business Summer School
The Business Summer School (BSS) is an academic program for learning in an international context, and a forum for developing intercultural understanding.
During two weeks of stay in Sibiu, both Romanian and foreign students participate in debates, workshops and seminars. The academic and the practical approaches are combined in order to fully cover the learning span of the subject. Moreover, the BSS is using the case study teaching method developed by Harvard Business School.
@: www.businessschool.ro
Econosofia 31
Studying in Romania
Bucharest - Bucharest Summer University Bucharest Summer University has had its first edition in 2005, when the Bucharest University of Economics (ASE), with the support of the Students’ Senate, has assumed its responsibility for building and deploying such a program at institutional level. For the last 6 years there have been around 50 students each year who have traveled to Bucharest and spent there 2 weeks by participating in lectures concerning a certain topic, discovering Romania and socialising with students from around the world. The topics are of present interest and help them for their education.
@: www.bsu.ase.ro
Bucharest - ELSA (European Law Students’
Association)
“Law is better than war” and “Banking and Finance” are two summer schools, annually organized by the European Law Students’
Association (ELSA).
@: www.summerschool.ro
32
Bucharest - Summer School in Economics Designed for students passionately interested in macroeconomics and public policy, the Bucharest Summer School is organized by the macroeconomics club Econosofia (part of the student organization Volunteers for Ideas and Projects). This summer school consists of seminars on macroeconomics and public policy taught by Mr. Lajos Bokros, PhD, professor at the Central European University and former Director at the World Bank and conferences held by prominent representatives of the private and public sector.
Each edition is organised around a central theme (for instance: adopting the euro or transition economics in post-communist societies) and students have to produce a working paper, drawing from what they know, what they are taught in this summer school and their research during the programme.
The working paper is published in the Econosofia Journal, an academic journal edited by the club.
In order to be admitted, candidates have to submit an application form, with questions from economics, international relations, geopolitics and then be interviewed face to face or via Skype. @: emg.econosofia.org ; [email protected] ; contact@econosofia.
org
Studying in Romania
Econosofia 33
10 student cities: Baia Mare - 36 // Braşov - 38 // Bucharest - 40 // Cluj-Na-
poca - 45 // Constanta - 48 // Craiova - 50 // Iaşi - 52 // Sibiu - 54 // Târgu
Mureş - 56 // Timişoara - 58
10 student
cities
Baia Mare
University of Baia Mare
The North University of Baia Mare, founded in 1991, is a multidisciplinary university in continuous development, preparing specialists in the following fields: engineering, sciences, philology, theology, economy and fine arts. The Baia Mare university, at over three decades of existence, continues an old tradition in education in the area at the level of contemporary requirements.
Baia Mare is a very dynamic and busy town, due to its University that gathers a lot of students annually. They contribute fully to the nightlife and entertainment of Baia Mare.
10 Student cities
36
Tradition and modernity live together in Baia Mare, 140000 habitants. The cultural component is very important and the education in Baia Mare is widely appreciated.
Efforts are being made to transform the city into an attractive point for tourists and business people, as it has the advantage of its geographical position, having many resorts and having also the advantage of extraordinary people who live there.
The buildings from the old part of the town are completed by the modern ones, with specific local elements. The commercial part of the town is highlighted and sums up the headquarters of banks and firms and the biggest stores in town.
Baia Mare reveals itself today as being in full growth from the social-economical point of view, proving to the world that tradition and modernism can manifest themselves in a perfect symbiosis.
No matter the season, you will always find something to do in Baia Mare. During summer, you can explore the surroundings by going hiking the hills around the town and the nearby mountains, whereas in winter you can enjoy the ski slopes which are some of the best in the country.
10 Student cities
Public tranportation One way ticket costs 1.50 Lei and a monthly pass 50 Lei (11.8€.)
@: www.urbisbaiamare.ro Health
Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă Str. George Cosbuc nr.31 Baia Mare, 4800 Tel. 0040 262 275340 Contact
North University of Baia Mare 62 A Victor Babeş Street 430083, Baia Mare Tel. 0040 262 218922 Fax. 0040 262 276153 E-mail: [email protected]
@: www.ubm.ro
37
Braşov
Transylvania University of Braşov
Braşov has been an important city in terms of nation, culture and education as early as the 14th century, when the first Romanian school was established there.
Transylvania University of Braşov aims to train highly qualified specialists in the fields of fundamental sciences, technology, economics, law, sociology, arts and medical sciences as well as to provide knowledge and services for society. Thus, Transylvania University ensures and develops the resources and instruments necessary for educational and scientific research processes at a level which meets the requirements of The European Space for Higher Education and Research as defined by The Bologna, Copenhagen and Lisbon Declarations and promoted by The National Strategy for Higher Education in Romania.
10 Student cities
38
Today the 16 faculties and 9 departments of the Transylvania University of Braşov welcome about 23000 students.
Besides two campuses, Memorandului and Colina Universitatii, can host until 4400 students, devided up in thirteen dormitories.
They are new renovated and equiped with two renovated canteens, three sports gyms, three sport fields and an integrated computer system with intranet and internet.
The medieval town of Braşov is located in the center of Romania, at 168 km from Bucharest. The city, built on the green hills of Transylvania, is considered as the jewel of the Carpathians. Since 1234, it has been well known as an urban-like, medieval habitat, placed at the crossroads of the old commercial roadways, connecting the Danube to Carpathians. Since the 15th Century, Brasov has been one of the most important economic, cultural and political centres, not only for the Romanian Principates of Transylvania, Valachia and Moldavia - but for all of Southeastern Europe.
Public transportation
Public transportation in Brasov is very extensive and runs late into the night. You should buy tickets from specialized RATBv (Regia Autonoma Transport Brasov ) kiosks or from newsagent’s kiosks, and remember to validate them when you get on the bus. One single journey ticket will cost you
10 Student cities
Contact
Transylvanian University B-ul Eroilor nr. 29, Braşov Tel. 0040 268 412088 Fax. 0040 268 410525 E-mail: [email protected]
@: www.unitbv.ro 1.5 Lei, and a monthly pass maximum
80 Lei (19€.)
@: www.ratbv.ro Health
Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă Str. Calea Bucureşti, nr. 25-27 Braşov
Tel. 0040 268 320022
39
10 Student cities
40
Contact
University of Bucharest International Relations office bd. Mihail Kogalniceanu, nr. 36-46 050107, Bucharest
Romania
Phone: 0040 213 077321 / 0040 213 077322 Fax: 0040 213 151942
E-mail: [email protected]
@: www.unibuc.ro/en/home
Bucharest
University of Bucharest
Founded in 1864, the University of Bucharest is nowadays the most significant university of Romania. It has 18 faculties which offer around a hundred programmes at Master level.
The University also includes around 50 centers and institutes of research.
The University of Bucharest offers a variety of courses at all levels of higher education: 22 short-duration programmes, over 60 long-duration programmes, 12 long-duration distance learning programmes, over 100 master’s degree and advanced study programmes, over 50 doctoral programmes, advanced postgraduate programmes, and programmes of professional re-conversion and training. All of these are accredited or authorised by the Romanian Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sports.
The University of Bucharest cooperates with more than 150 higher education institutions from other countries. Thus it receives every year more than a thousand international students and many international professors through international programmes such as Erasmus, Tempus, Copernicus, Ceepus, Tempra, Phare or Tacis.
The University of Bucharest reserves some places in its dormitories for its international and Erasmus students, and it will cost you around 70 € each month.
Polytechnica University of Bucharest The Polytechnica University of Bucharest (UPB) is, with more than 190 years of existence, one of the fundamental and prestigious institutions of Romanian higher education system, and is also the main source for the technical specialists of the country.
Seriousness, the deepness of the approach and the quality of the academic programs have led, year by year, to the acknowledgment of its professors and students performances abroad, as well as to the recognition of the engineer diploma issued by the UPB.
The heritage left by UPB predecessors determine the present academic community to get involved in many scientific research programs and projects that confer it not only appreciation and professional reputation, but also the quality of its teaching steps and the premise of its participation in realizing an information society within the European higher education space through knowledge creation.
The UPB provides place in its dormitories to its international students, all with an Internet connection and several sport complexes, in order for them to practice their favorite sport activities, from gymnastics to football.
Contact
Universitatea POLITEHNICA din Bucuresti Directia Studenti Internationali
Spl. Independentei, nr. 313 Sector 6, Cod 060042 Bucuresti, Romania
@: www.upb.ro
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10 Student cities University of Architecture and Urbanism
“Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism in Bucharest is the oldest and most important academic institution in this field in Romania. It is divided in three faculties: architecture, urbanism and interior architecture.
The University has relations with more than 40 schools of architecture from all other the world and has around 50 Erasmus partner universities. Moreover it is involved in many international associations in the field of higher education.
Contact
“ION MINCU” UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
18-20 Academiei st., 010014, Bucharest ROMANIA
E-mail: [email protected]
@: www.uauim.ro/en
Living in Bucharest
If you look for a flat on your own in Bucharest, we recommend the following areas: 1 Mai, Aviatorilor, Tineretului, Crângaşi, zona Unirii, Universitate, Piaţa Victoriei, Timpuri Noi, Vitan, Titan, Obor, Dristor, Gara de Nord (this area is not that safe after midnight, but here you might find good prices and it is close to the city center).
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10 Student cities Visiting Bucharest
The capital of Romania is a many facets city.
Mysterious with its churches hidden deep in the streets, palatial with its edifices that survived Ceauşescu’s regime, but also sad and shabby with its grey buildings from the communist period. In spite of the modifications due to the dictatorship, Bucharest is still full of great places and allows the city to keep its title of
‘’Little Paris.’’
The legend tells that the city of Bucharest was founded on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd named Bucur. His name literarily means “joy.” While playing his flute, he spread joy all around the city and the traders were impressed by his hearty wine from nearby vineyards.
Nowadays, around 10% of the Romanian population lives in Bucharest. Thousands of student frequent its Higher Education Institutions and make the university district animated all night long. During week-ends families and couples stroll in the many green parks of the city, where, in most of them, you can now rent a bike for free.
Bucharest is in constant renovation, especially the old centre, around Lipscani, making this area the trendiest district of the city, with its many cafes, clubs and restaurants. The city also has a large number of museums, art galleries, exquisite Orthodox churches and unique architectural sites.
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Health
Emergency Hospital Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă
Calea Floreasca 8 Tel. 0040 213 170171 Emergency Clinical Hospital St.Ioan
13,Sos.Vitan-Barzesti Tel. 0040 213 345190 Emergency Hospital ELIAS 17,Bvd.Mărăsti,sect.1 Tel. 0040 213 161600 Emergency University Hospital
169,Spl.Independentei,sect.5 Tel. 0040 213
180522/23/24/25/26/27 The University of Bucharest medical unit works with surgeries that ensures free general medical and dental security only by showing the student card.
Timetable: 8AM – 7PM Location: 36-46,Mihail Kogalniceanu Bvd.,sect.5(near by the Faculty of Law) Students from the University of Bucharest can benefit of free dental care from the medical unit located on 36-46,Mihail Kogalniceanu Bvd.,sect.5
For more information, have a look at the section “health.”
TaxiSeveral taxi companies operate in the city. Taxis can be summoned by telephone or hailed on the street. Fares per km are posted on the driver’s and passenger doors.
Speed Taxi: Tel. 021 9477, 1,39 lei/km
@: www.speedtaxi.ro
Next Taxi: Tel. 021 9422, 1,39 lei/km
@: www.ataxi.ro/taxiuri/next-taxi As Taxi: Tel. 021 9435, 1,39 lei/km
@: www.ataxi.ro/taxiuri/taxi
Pelicanul Taxi: Tel. 021.9665 / 021.9565, 1,39 lei/km
@: www.ataxi.ro/taxiuri/taxi-pelicanul
Public transportation
The public transport system of Bucharest is run by the RATB.
Buses, Trolleybuses, Trams connect the city for 1.3 Lei (one way). For students, by showing their transport card they can get a monthly pass for one line with 15 Lei and for all lines with 25 Lei.@: www.ratb.ro
Bucharest has a subway network, which is fast, safe and cheap.
A two way ticket costs 2.5 Lei. A monthly pass costs 12.5 Lei for students, or 25 Lei for the normal price.
@: www.metrorex.ro
Papers you need for Student Pass: ID, “Carnet student” from the university you are an Erasmus student at, “Legitimatie de transport” (obtained also from the university)
Arriving in Bucharest
Bucharest has two international airports, Otopeni Henri Coanda, and Baneasa Aurel Vlaicu. To know how to reach the city center from the airport go to the chapter “Transportation” in the section
“Living guide.”
If you arrive by train in Bucharest, you will arrive at Gara de Nord, an international train station. Beware of pickpockets.
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10 Student cities Cluj-Napoca
Universitatea Babeş-Bolyai (UBB) of Cluj-Napoca.
The University Babeş-Bolyai of Cluj-Napoca is a state university founded in 1581. With 10 campuses within Transylvania, the University provides studies in various fields such as: Mathematics, Informatics, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Geology, Geography, Environmental Science, Law, Letters, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Education Sciences, Economics, Business, European Studies, Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, Physical Education, Theology (Orthodox, Greek-Catholic, Protestant, Roman-Catholic), Theatre and Television.
The University Babeş-Bolyai offers studies at Bachelor, Master, Doctoral and Postdoctoral level and provides various programs in foreign languages at bachelor or master level: 248 programs in Romanian; 94 in Hungarian; 19 in German; 36 in English; 9 in French; 1 in Italian and 1 in Ukrainian.
A staff of over 1 700 faculty employees, 285 researchers and 1 125 administrative employees run the University, in order to welcome over 53 000 students at all study levels, spread into 104 departments.
The UBB will provide you many facilities to embellish your student life, such as: libraries, electronic libraries, six museums, laboratories, over fifty research units, cultural centres, sports park, dormitories, eateries, botanical garden, astronomical observatory and two language centres (Lingua and Alpha)
You might also find it convenient to eat at the Student’s Canteen (Cantina studenţească).
University cafeterias:
- “Pyramid” Restaurant – 1, Em. de Martonne Street, close to the Faculty of European Studies;
- Cafeteria - 11, Avram Iancu Street, inside the Law School building;
- Cafeteria inside the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration building;
- Cafeteria inside the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering building;
- Cafeteria & Restaurant in Haşdeu student campus;
- Guest House Restaurant in the “Iuliu Haţieganu” Park.
Contact
University Babeş-Bolyai of Cluj-Napoca
Center for International Cooperation 68, Avram Iancu Street, 400083 Cluj-Napoca / ROMANIA
Phone: 0040 264 429762 Fax: 0040 264 429755 E-mail: [email protected]
@: www.ubbcluj.ro
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The unofficial capital of Transylvania, the 2000-year-old Cluj- Napoca is one of the most vibrant cities in Romania. With a population of 317,953 inhabitants, to whom are added around 100,000 college students, the city bursts with energy all year round. Along with fine dining, cultural activities, a wonderful historical legacy and a great atmosphere, the city will certainly not disappoint those who add it to their travel itinerary. Living here is certainly a great experience for those who want to see urban Transylvanian life at its best. The architecture in the city center is reminiscent of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, while elements of modernism have now been added to give the city a modern, exciting looks. The multiethnic and multicultural aspects can be traced almost anywhere. To prepare your stay in Cluj-Napoca make contacts there:
@: Facebook -> I Love Cluj
From the airport of Cluj- Napoca
You may arrive to Cluj by plane since many low-cost flights from all over the world land there. The bus no. 8 will drive you from the airport to the “Regionala C.F.R” stop, where a transfer should be made to one of the following buses: 1, 6, 7. For more information about the time schedule and the route, please consult:
@: www.airportcluj.ro >
Transport > By bus Public transportation Cluj-Napoca has a reliable public transportation network, consisting of a long tramline, several trolley-lines and bus- lines, operating from 5:00 a.m.
to 11:00 p.m. The price of a ticket (bilet) is 3.5 Lei (some 0.8€) - valid for two trips.
Tickets are available at special stands, never at the driver. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance since it is not possible to buy tickets at late hours or in the weekend. Always validate your ticket immediately after getting on the bus/tram.
Controls are frequent and the fine is about 5€ (if you pay it at once), or 10€ (if you pay it afterwards).
@: www.ratuc.ro
TaxiTaxis you take in town are all equipped with a meter. One kilometer by taxi costs 1.9 Lei (around 0.5€). All major taxi companies have the same fare.
10 Student cities Melanie Moldovan, I Love Cluj
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10 Student cities Health in Cluj-Napoca
Emergency Hospital Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă
3/5, Clinicilor Street Students Clinic Policlinica Studenteasca 8, Republicii Street, Phone: 0040 264 592198.
For further information about hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, please visit:
@: www.cascluj.ro
For your free time there are lots of museums, parks, sport facilities.
Not to mention the countless cafés, restaurants, clubs and discos where one can have a great time at any moment of day or night.
In Cluj the average price for an accomodation is between 60€
and 250€ a month, whether you live in a dormitory or rent a flat.
To do some shopping, “Piaţa Mihai Viteazul” market, in Mihai Viteazul Square, is the largest vegetable and fresh products market and you can also get fresh meat, cheese, eggs and honey there. Besides there are supermarkets in Cluj-Napoca, like: Billa, Selgros, Kaufland, Cora, Carrefour, Iulius Mall, Polus Mall.
PICTURE COMING SOON
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Constanta
Ovidius University of Constanţa
Founded in 1961, the University of Constanţa welcomes nowadays 17500 students, divided in 16 faculties such as Literature, Theology, History and Political Sciences, Law and Administrative Sciences, Medicine, Economics, etc. It has signed cooperation agreements with many universities from European Union and Norway and Turkey. Also students from Moldova, Albania, Macedonia, India, Turkmenistan and South Africa are enrolled as international students.
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Contacts
University Ovidius of Constanta Bdul Mamaia nr.124
900527 Constanta Tel. 0040 241 606465 Fax. 0040 241 511000 Email: [email protected]
@: www.univ-ovidius.ro
University of Constanta Medical School str. Ion Voda
Tel. 0040 312 210190
Email: [email protected]
@: www.ovidunivconstanta-edu.org
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City of 340 000 habitants, Constanta is the main port of the country, but also a famous seaside resort on the Black Sea coast. The city has an important Hellenistic, Roman and early Christian antiquities museum. Besides it is a major industrial pole, specialised in metallurgy, food processing and shipbuilding.
Students here get to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather and the beaches of the black sea, without forgetting the good rating of the university in Romania for its academic excellence.
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Public transportation
One journey ticket will cost you 1.50 Lei, and a student monthly pass will cost maximum 50 Lei, but can be less if you chose one or two lines. Besides if you come in Constanta for tourism you may buy a ticket from Constanta to Mamaia (3 Lei), or a “Constanta City Tour” ticket for 3, 6 or 12 hours.
@: www.ratc.ro
Health
Spital Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă Bdul Tomis nr. 145 Constanta Tel. 0040 241 662222
Claude Lallement
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Craiova
University of Craiova
The University of Craiova was founded during the second half of the 20th century, being, chronologically, the fifth university in the country.
This prestigious institution of higher education in Romania is part of the European academic community and as such shares its cultural, moral, educational and scientific values.
The academic community of the University of Constanta met a growing evolution during its six decades of existence, offering the young generation training conditions for 131 fields, among which 62 were university studies, 49 master studies, and 20 doctoral studies, covering a wide range.
The student number registered a permanent increase, from 24,872 in the academic year 2001/2002 to 32,294 in the academic year 2005/2006. The staff of the university includes more than 1000 teachers, all very competent, responsible and generous trainers for the scientific and cultural elite.
In order to improve education, a special interest was laid upon the reformation of the higher education in accordance with the European Union processes (such as Bologna, Copenhagen and Lisbon) and the development of the cooperation and collaboration with other academic institutions in the country and abroad, within the European and extra-European area.
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Contact
University of Craiova 13 A. I. Cuza St., 200585, Craiova
@: www.ucv.ro Tel. 0040 251 414398 Fax. 0040 251 411688
University of Craiova
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Craiova is, with about 300 000 inhabitants, the most important urban and administrative center of the district of Dolj, in the region of Oltenia. The city is one of the biggest and oldest university centers of the country, and one of the most important cultural centers. Many edifices have been testifying it. Among them, the National Theatre, which is now well known all over the world, was set up in 1852. Also, the libraries of Craiova are important elements of the cultural life of the town.
The first public library of Craiova was set up in 1840. Even if there had been many art antiquaries in Craiova, the first museum was set up in 1908. Today, many art, history, archeology, ethnography, natural sciences exhibitions, etc. liven up the museum.
Public transportation
One journey ticket costs 1.50 Lei (036€) and a student monthly pass 40 Lei (9.5€). The transports run from 5.30 to 21.30, plus one tramway until 23.30 during the week.
@: www.rat-craiova.ro Health
Stipatul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă Str. Tabaci nr. 1
200 642 Craiova
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Accommodation
The University offer places to its international students in its dormitories. The prices for an accommodation in Craiova go from 40 to 250 euros depending on if you choose the dormitory or your own flat or a private hostel.
TaxiThe taxi in Craiova is the cheapest of the country, with 1.35 Lei / km.
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www.musicalfountain.eu
Iaşi
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi is the oldest higher education institution in Romania. With over 38.000 students and 800 academic staff, the university enjoys high prestige at national and international level
and cooperates with over 250 universities world-wide. Alexandru Ioan Cuza University is a member of some of the most important university networks and associations (the Coimbra Group, EUA - European University Association, Utrecht Network, International Association of Universities, University Agency of Francophony and the Network of Francophone Universities).
Through its 15 faculties (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics and Business Administration, Geography-Geology, History, Law, Letters, Mathematics, Orthodox Theology, Catholic Theology, Psychology and Education Sciences, Philosophy, Physical Education and Sports, and Physics, plus the Centre for European Studies), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University provides one of the fullest ranges of classical education available in Romania. All faculties offer Master’s and PhD degrees.
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With 340 000 inhabitants and near the state of Moldova, Iaşi was one of the residences of the princes of Moldova during the XVI century.
Iaşi is an afordable city, where prices can be lower than in other Romanian cities. 400 Euro is enough for a monthly decent living.
Accommodation for foreign students in an university hostel is guaranteed on request. The university campus is situated within 10 minutes walking distance from the main University Building.
Places are available in double or triple rooms, fully furnished, including a TV set, a refrigerator, air-conditioning and a private bathroom. On each floor there is a kitchen fully equipped for cooking, but students can also chose to serve their meals in a canteen-restaurant situated in campus, near the main University building.
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University has its own Sports Centre (volley-ball, gymnastics, basketball, handball, fitness) and outdoor sport grounds (handball, basketball, football). There are also many possibilities in the city to do sports activities (aerobics, swimming, sauna, massage, fitness private clubs, skiing on Copou Hill in winter time, etc.).
Public transportation One way ticket costs 1.8 lei (0.42€). With a student reduction a monthly pass for the whole network is about 15€
(65 Lei), but can be cheaper if you take the abonment only on one or two lines.
@: www.ratp-iasi.ro TaxiClasic Taxi: Tel. 949 Delta Taxi: Tel. 222 222 Euro Taxi: Tel. 217 217 Health
Emergency Hospital Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă
Str. General Berthelot nr.2 IaşiTel. 0232-21.65.84 Policlinica pentru Elevi şi Studenti
Clinic for pupils and students.
Bd. Toma Cozma nr.4 Tel. 0232-26.77.82
@: www.laiasi.ro > Sanatate Contact
University “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” of Iaşi
Departement of International Relations
Bd. Carol I, nr. 11 700506 Iaşi Tel. 0040 232 201111 Fax. 0040 232 201201
@: www.uaic.ro
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Sibiu
Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (LBUS) In a highly interconnected and interactive world, LBUS could keep in the mainstream of academic events only by promoting international cooperation. After 1992, LBUS adopted a policy of unprecedented academic contacts and links. It was the leadership’s strong conviction that LBUS could be successful only through interaction and cooperation.
Consequently, LBUS has established academic links and partnership agreements with eighty- five universities in thirty-five countries. A special place is held by the partnerships drawn with American, German, French and UK universities, which materialized in student exchange programmes, fact-finding data trips for academics as well as a precious cooperation which has kept the University tuned in to what happens in the world.
Worth mentioning are also the new ties with Chinese, Russian, Italian, Greek and Polish Universities.
Approximately 24,500 students study each year at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, enrolled in various forms of higher education, with the valuable contribution of 800 of the teaching staff.
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Public transportation Sibiu is a compact city and the best way to get around is to walk. Bus and Trolley tickets can be purchased at tickets booths. A ticket is valid for two travels. One travel is considered from the time you take the bus to the time you leave the bus. Once on bord you have to slip one part of the ticket into a punching device and press a button to validate the travel. A single journey ticket costs 1.5 Lei, while a monthly pass for students is 25 Lei (5.9€)
@: www.tursib.ro TaxiComis: 242424 Inter: 242323 Health
Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă
B-dul Corneliu Coposu nr.2-4 550245 Sibiu
Tel. 0040 269 215050 Contact
Lucian Blaga Univeristy of Sibiu
Bd-ul. Victoriei, nr. 10, Sibiu 550024 Sibiu
Tel. 0040 269 216062 Fax. 0040 269 217887 E-mail: [email protected]
@: www.ulbsibiu.ro
Sibiu was European Cultural Capital in 2007, which entailed many renovation works in the city. The Piata Mare is considered as the most beautiful renovation in all of Romania. The Medieval city of Sibiu counts five defense towers, which are a significant attraction for tourists. Nowadays, the inhabitants of Sibiu are proud of their medieval ancestry. The medieval period represented a prosperous time, both from an economic and administrative perspective.
@: www.sibiu.ro 10 Student cities
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Târgu-Mureş
Petru Maior University of Târgu-Mureş Founded in 1960 by the Ministry of Education and Culture under the name of “The Pedagogical Institute of Târgu- Mureş” and functioning without interruption under different names and higher education structures, the “Petru Maior” University numbers over 40 years of existence.
The presence of this institution in Târgu- Mureş, together with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the University of Theatrical Art, has provided a particular nucleus of spiritual, scientific and cultural life to the old Transylvanian town. That marks the cultural level of an entire urban community where cultural, ethnical and confessional interrelationships are extremely complex and with high spiritual potential.
The campus of Târgu Mureş University is made up of six dormitories and sport facilities. The sport activities are developed within the sport base of the University (a floodlighted court for handball, volleyball, basketball, tennis) as well as in the gym hall of the University and in “Muresul” Sport Complex.
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