Morning Brew is a daily email newsletter produced under the blog The Daily, designed to bring the most important news and relevant information directly to readers’ inboxes at the start of each day.
The newsletter covers a wide range of topics, including economy, technology, politics, culture and more. Each edition is a curated overview of key stories, presented in a concise, accessible format that respects readers’ time while keeping them fully informed.
The StudentLifestyle editorial team is responsible for news selection, copywriting and fact-checking. Articles are written in a clear, engaging style and are accompanied by illustrations and visual elements that make the reading experience more dynamic and enjoyable.
The project aims to become a trusted part of the readers’ morning routine, with a measurable objective of attracting around 100 new subscribers per month. By listening to feedback and refining each edition, Morning Brew strives to build a loyal, growing audience that sees the newsletter as an essential daily briefing.
A student-focused newsletter edition about life as a Romanian student in the diaspora – mixing useful news, tools and a bit of humour for everyday survival abroad.
Read newsletterA practical, student-friendly guide to surviving the first months in a new country, with concrete steps and relatable examples from life in the European diaspora.
Read full articleEdition: July 2025
RELEVANT NEWS: DUO simplifies the application process for EU students
Good news for Romanian students! Starting in autumn 2025, DUO will remove the requirement for official translations of employment contracts for those applying for study grants.
What does this mean for you?
Less bureaucracy, less money spent on translations, and more time for Netflix.
Find out more on the DUO website.
EDUCATIONAL TIP: 3 websites with free, internationally recognized courses
Tip: Add these courses to your CV, they matter a lot when applying for jobs.
APP OF THE WEEK: Splitwise
Do you have roommates or share expenses?
Splitwise saves your friendships. No calculations on paper, no tense discussions.
Share expenses – Splitwise does the rest – everyone stays calm.
Available on Android/iOS | Free
MEME TIME: “When you think you’ve understood the Dutch system, but you receive a letter in Dutch…”
“Ik begrijp er niks van!”
(translation: “I don’t understand anything” – you, after 3 years in the Netherlands)
Friendly tip: use deepl.com or ask for help in student groups. Or… ask that colleague who “knows languages”.
Read until the end?
Share this with your classmates who are in the same boat as you – and don’t forget: life in the diaspora is
easier with the right information.
Moving to a new country can feel like a rollercoaster: excitement, panic, surprises and… a lot of Google Translate. If you’ve arrived in the Netherlands, Germany, or any other corner of Europe as a student, you’re probably wondering: “Okay, now what do I do so I don’t feel completely lost?”
Breathe. You’re not alone. And no, you don’t have to drink 5 coffees to adapt (though one helps).
Here are 5 steps that really work:
Get to know your city… on foot
The first days in a new place = zero orientation. Make it a habit to explore your neighborhood, with or
without a map. Find the nearest convenience store, the train station, a café that doesn’t empty your wallet.
Bonus: you discover cool places Google doesn’t know about.
Join local student groups
Facebook, Discord, WhatsApp – all are full of communities of international or Romanian students. Ask anything:
rent, jobs, even “which milk is good in this country?”. You’ll get answers, sometimes memes, but most
importantly, real support.
Learn 5 phrases in the local language
No, you don’t have to become fluent in a month. But a “thank you” or “have a nice day” in Dutch/Swedish/German
opens doors and smiles. Plus, people respect you more when they see you’re making a small effort.
Create a “home” routine
It’s easy to fall into chaos – weird schedules, eating at 11 PM, too much TikTok scrolling. Create a simple
routine: a coffee at the same time, a family call on Sundays, an evening walk. Routine = stability = less
homesickness.
Look for international student events
Universities and Romanian associations organize welcome sessions, webinars, game nights or volunteering
activities. Go at least once! I met my best friend in the Netherlands at a “Pub Quiz” where I didn’t know any
answers, but laughed for two hours.
Conclusion: It’s not about perfection, it’s about slow adaptation
You’ll feel strange at first, you’ll compare everything to Romania, and you might miss small things. That’s normal. The important thing is to take small steps and stay open.
Share this article with your classmates who have left to study or those who are about to leave! It might help them stop thinking that “life in the diaspora” is only about paperwork and expensive rent.
