Romanian Young Mentors is a live-streamed show dedicated to high school students in Romania who dream about studying abroad. The project highlights real-life mentors who share their journeys, experiences and practical advice about adapting to an international academic environment.
Each episode focuses on personal stories, challenges and success paths, offering guidance on choosing the right university, securing scholarships and preparing for academic life in a different country.
The editorial team develops original topics, prepares discussion outlines and conducts research to ensure that every episode remains relevant, informative and inspiring. Live production is managed in-house, including technical setup, broadcasting and post-production.
Romanian Young Mentors encourages interaction, learning and personal development by bringing together different academic perspectives and career paths into one accessible and engaging format.
Four editorial topic proposals designed for the Romanian Young Mentors live show, focused on studying abroad, burnout, balancing work and studies, and redefining success for this generation.
Read full briefLive streaming session produced under the Romanian Young Mentors project, including a recorded discussion about studying abroad with GCRS scholarships and student perspectives.
View description & videoTopic Proposal 1 – Catchy title:
‘How do I choose the right university abroad? An honest guide from students who have been through it’
Why is this topic worth discussing?
Choosing a university abroad is one of the most important decisions in a young person’s life. Most of the time, Romanian students make this decision based on superficial factors (the country’s reputation, other people’s opinions, influencers, etc.), without having access to real, direct information from students who have actually gone through this process. This topic aims to demystify the idea of a “perfect” choice and offer a realistic and useful perspective based on personal experiences.
Target audience:
High school students (11th and 12th grade)
Romanian students interested in Erasmus mobility programs or master’s degrees abroad
Parents who support their children’s decision to study abroad
Proposed structure:
Intro: common myths about universities abroad – “all Romanians choose the Netherlands/UK”, “it’s easier than in Romania”, “it’s free if you have good grades”
How to start the process: useful sources (webinars, real rankings, student forums)
What needs to be analyzed:
Language of instruction
Real costs vs. scholarships
Daily life (rent, transport, food)
Quality of courses and level of difficulty
Common mistakes: choosing based on trends, lack of contact with students from that country, ignoring administrative details
Short stories: 2–3 examples of students who made poor choices and later changed universities
Practical advice: final checklist + useful questions to ask before applying
Estimated impact on the audience:
Students will be able to make a more informed and confident decision.
Parents will better understand what studying abroad really involves.
A direct connection is created between future students and those already abroad, encouraging informal mentoring.
DUO justification:
This proposal is a creative and educational activity designed by Romanian students to support future generations. The subject has direct applicability in young people’s academic and social lives. By being based on personal experiences and real examples, it contributes to the development of a participatory and informal learning model – essential in modern education. The topic can easily be turned into a webinar, informative carousel, or live Q&A session, helping strengthen the GCRS community.
Topic Proposal 2 – Catchy title:
‘You don’t have to be the best in order to succeed: redefining success in the age of burnout’
Why is this topic worth discussing?
The pressure to excel in everything we do – grades, volunteering, part-time jobs – has become the norm for young people in our generation. Many high school pupils and students live with the feeling that they are “not good enough” if they do not stand out constantly. This mindset leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and an unrealistic perception of success. The proposed topic offers a healthy and balanced alternative: how you can succeed professionally and personally without being in the “top 1%” in everything.
Target audience:
High school students who feel academic pressure
Ambitious students facing burnout
Young professionals at the beginning of their careers
Proposed structure:
Introduction: What “being the best” means in today’s culture and why it is a trap
The burnout problem among young people: studies, testimonials, examples
Alternative models of success:
The student who excels in empathy, not grades
The student who learns slowly, but consistently
The student who discovers new passions at 25
How we set our own benchmarks: key questions + self-analysis exercise
Special guests (optional): quotes/experiences from young Romanians who succeeded through alternative paths
Conclusion: Success does not mean surpassing others, but finding your own place and rhythm
Estimated impact on the audience:
Young people will reduce performance-related anxiety.
They will learn to appreciate personal progress, not just comparative results.
An empathetic discussion space is created, focused on mental health and balance.
DUO justification:
This proposal directly addresses one of the most pressing problems of the younger generation: burnout caused by unrealistic standards of success. Created by students for students, the topic contributes to emotional and social education, which are essential in a modern society. It can easily be turned into a live session, online panel, or interactive workshop and fits perfectly into an informal educational approach supported by DUO.
Topic Proposal 3 – Catchy title:
‘Study + job: how do we manage our time without burning out?’
Why is this topic worth discussing?
More and more students choose (or are forced) to work alongside their studies in order to support themselves or gain experience. This combination can be a valuable opportunity, but often becomes a source of stress, exhaustion, or giving up one of the two. This topic proposes a realistic discussion, with applicable advice, on how you can balance your life without sacrificing mental health or academic results.
Target audience:
Students who work part-time or full-time
High school students preparing for university life
Young professionals in training who attend courses or specializations
Proposed structure:
Introduction: Why young people choose to combine study and work
Common challenges:
Lack of time
Chronic fatigue
Pressure from grades vs. job requirements
Practical solutions:
Time blocking and prioritization
Open communication with employers and professors
Using organization apps (Google Calendar, Notion, etc.)
Real stories: short examples from diaspora students who found balance
Myths vs. reality: why multitasking does not work
Final recommendations: when it is better to say “no” to a job or a project
Estimated impact on the audience:
Provides practical tools for organization and stress management
Normalizes difficulties through real-life examples
Creates an empathetic space where young people can learn from each other
DUO justification:
This activity responds to a real need among students to learn how to balance work and studies. It is highly relevant for the diaspora, where many students work to support themselves. The proposal is created by students and can easily be turned into a practical webinar or interactive live session, justifying the educational and creative nature of the activity.
Topic Proposal 4 – Catchy title:
‘What does “success” really mean for our generation?’
Why is this topic worth discussing?
The concept of success has changed radically in recent years. While previous generations associated success with stability, status, and long-term careers, many young people today define success through balance, freedom, mental health, and social impact. This discussion offers an authentic perspective adapted to current realities, validating the diversity of young people’s aspirations.
Target audience:
High school students who feel the pressure of “choosing correctly”
Students at a professional or academic crossroads
Young professionals questioning their life direction
Proposed structure:
Opening: What our parents told us about success – and what we feel now
Three perspectives on success:
Professional (dream job vs. stable job)
Personal (happiness, balance, healthy relationships)
Social (contribution, impact, activism)
Case study: a Romanian student who gave up a “prestigious” career to work in an NGO
Myths vs. reality: you do not have to have everything by 30
Reflection tools: questions to ask yourself about your own definition of success
Proposed mini-activity: participants write their own definitions of success in three words
Estimated impact on the audience:
Encourages self-knowledge and validation of diverse life paths
Reduces anxiety related to social pressure
Provides a safe space for honest discussions about aspirations and limits
DUO justification:
This creative, educational, and reflective activity was developed by students for students and high school pupils. It addresses a highly relevant topic in personal and professional development. It can easily be transformed into an interactive live session or online workshop, contributing to the development of critical thinking and emotional intelligence among young people.
LIVE STREAMING – GCRS
Title: “What does success really mean for our generation?”
Live recording – general description
This live session focuses on studying abroad and the personal experiences of high school pupils and students who have interacted with GCRS scholarships and international education opportunities. The discussion brings together different perspectives on academic choices, expectations, and the reality of student life in other countries.
The recording is part of the Romanian Young Mentors project and can be used as a visual resource for students who are considering studies abroad and want to hear authentic testimonies from their peers.
