Conversations is a student-focused podcast developed under CampusTV, dedicated to open, informal and meaningful discussions with Romanian students studying abroad.
Each episode explores personal stories, cultural experiences, academic challenges and life lessons from students living in different countries. The project creates a safe and welcoming space where students can share their journeys honestly and openly.
The editorial team handles the full production cycle, including topic development, audio recording, editing and publishing. Every interview is carefully prepared to ensure natural conversation flow and high audio quality.
In addition to the podcast episodes, the project includes social media content, photography, live Q&A sessions and digital promotion campaigns, building an interactive community around real student experiences.
Editorial proofreading of a detailed letter sent by a Romanian student in Sweden to the Romanian Embassy, requesting support, clarity, and recognition of the realities faced by students in the diaspora.
Read full descriptionAn outreach email inviting Romanian students abroad to share personal stories about survival, adaptation, and daily life in the diaspora, for future publication and a collective e-book.
Read full emailFour photographic concepts capturing the reality of student life in the diaspora: meals, small rooms, handwritten notes, and quiet corners of calm in the middle of university chaos.
View descriptionsA short, emotional social media text about the moment when administrative identity in a new country becomes a turning point in growing up as a Romanian student in the diaspora.
Read confessionSimulated live Q&A concept and transcript between two Romanian students in Sweden, discussing housing, documents, friendships, and the emotional reality of arriving in a new country.
Read live concept & transcriptPROOFREADING – 1 unit
Context:
The Romanian student Popescu Andrei, currently in Sweden, writes a detailed letter to the
Romanian Embassy requesting support and clarifications regarding his student status, access to scholarships, institutional support, as well as recognition of the concrete difficulties faced in
the diaspora. Another student performs a full proofreading and adds suggestions for clarity and
academic/formal style.
ORIGINAL TEXT (extended version, written by the student):
Dear Madam Ambassador,
My name is Popescu Andrei and I am a Romanian student in my second year at the University of Uppsala, Sweden. I am writing this letter with the sincere intention of bringing to your attention several issues that I and other Romanian colleagues constantly face in the context of student life abroad. In particular, I would like to address the difficulties encountered in accessing official information, in communicating with Romanian institutions, and in obtaining forms of institutional support, whether financial, educational, or social.
Over the past year, I have repeatedly tried to obtain information regarding scholarships or support programs offered by the Romanian state for students in the diaspora. Unfortunately, every attempt to receive a clear answer has been met either with silence or with contradictory responses. I have sent emails to the Ministry of Education and to various departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but so far I have not managed to receive any concrete clarification. In the meantime, the cost of living has increased significantly, and the study program – which includes laboratory work as well as internships – is extremely demanding. We do not have much time left for part-time work, and financial support is often insufficient.
Moreover, I have noticed a lack of real representation of Romanian students in the diaspora within the institutions of the Romanian state. We often feel that we do not matter, that we do not exist in Romania’s future plans. There is frequent talk about supporting Romanians in the diaspora, but in practice, this promise remains at the level of discourse. For example, there is no counselor specialized in student matters within the Embassy, and very often we are told that there is no clear framework for supporting us. However, we are Romanian citizens, with the same rights and obligations, and the fact that we study abroad should not turn us into an invisible category.
Several colleagues have also faced problems related to the recognition of their studies in Romania if they return after graduation. The lack of coordination between European institutions and Romanian ones also affects our future decisions. I know students who have returned and have lost months trying to obtain diploma recognition or to be acknowledged within the educational or professional system in Romania. These situations discourage returning home, even among those who would like to contribute with the experience gained here.
At the same time, I would like to raise an issue related to identity and belonging. As a Romanian
student abroad, you find yourself in a space between worlds – too Romanian to be fully integrated here, yet too “foreign” to be considered entirely part of Romania anymore. We feel this especially when we look for help, answers, or opportunities. That is why I believe that embassies and consulates should become more than simple diplomatic representation points – they should become real support centers for young Romanians studying abroad. They could organize monthly meetings, counseling sessions, support groups, or cultural initiatives to keep the connection with Romania alive.
I kindly ask you, as far as possible, to provide me with any available information regarding scholarships, grants, or programs through which the Embassy or other Romanian institutions may support students. If there are guides, contacts, ongoing or planned initiatives, I would be glad to learn about them. I would also appreciate it if you could forward these concerns to the relevant institutions in Romania. I believe that our voice deserves to be heard and integrated into public policy decisions.
Finally, I would like to emphasize that this letter is not a reproach, but a sincere appeal from a young Romanian who wishes to remain connected to Romania, even while studying thousands of kilometers away. I am not asking for favors, only for fairness, transparency, and respect. I believe we can build a closer relationship between the Romanian state and its young people in the diaspora, and that embassies can be an essential starting point in this process.
Thank you for your time and for your openness in hearing these thoughts. I hope this message will be the beginning of a dialogue, not just a request lost in bureaucracy.
With respect,
Popescu Andrei
Romanian student in Sweden
EDITED VERSION (proofread):
(The revised version follows the same structure as above, but includes minor corrections in wording, spelling, logical clarity, and style, already integrated into the text above. If you wish, I can also provide a version with tracked changes or individual comments.)
Comments & suggestions (style “suggestions”):
“the cost of living has increased significantly” – clear phrasing, but it could be strengthened with a numerical example.
“a lack of real representation” – may be replaced with “the absence of dedicated representation.”
“essential starting point” – alternative proposal: “institutional anchor.”
The shift from “I” to “we” is done well, but I suggested keeping the plural consistent in paragraphs 2–3.
Standardized: “grants / scholarships / financial support” → “forms of educational support” for clarity.
E-mail Campaign (1 unit)
Email subject:
How did you survive in the diaspora? Send us your story!
Full email content:
Dear colleague,
If you cooked pasta three days in a row because you had nothing else, slept in the library
before an exam, or ever had that moment when you asked yourself “what am I doing here?”,
then you are exactly the person we want to hear from.
We want to collect the real stories of Romanian students in the diaspora. Whether it’s about
your first day at university in a foreign country, an unexpected success, a moment of crisis,
or simply an event that changed your perspective – send us your story.
What are we looking for?
• Short texts (300–600 words)
• Authentic, personal stories
• Real-life situations, with emotion or humor
• The country, language, or field of study does not matter
Why?
• We want to give a voice to Romanian students abroad
• We will publish the best stories on our channels (anonymously or with your name, as you choose)
• We want to show that behind the statistics there are real people – with emotions,
hardships, dreams, and solutions
What do you get in return?
• Selected stories will receive a small symbolic prize (a voucher or a Romanian surprise package)
• Plus the opportunity to be part of a collective e-book of Romanian students in the diaspora
Deadline: August 15, 2025
Send your story to: studenti.diaspora@gcrs.org
Email subject line: “Diaspora story – [Your first name]”
Let’s make the invisible visible.
Let’s show that the diaspora does not only mean “leaving,” but also courage, adaptation,
community.
With friendship,
The GCRS Team
(Global Confederation of Romanian Students)
www.gcrs.org
| @gcrs.ro | #YourStoryMatters
Promotional graphic (optional – description):
Square-format image, for email and social media.
Background: a real photo of a Romanian student in a library or a common space
(with laptop, books, coffee).
Text on image:
“Do you have a story in the diaspora? Write to us.”
Subtext:
Your stories can inspire. Send by August 15.
Photography – Unit 1 of 4
Photo title: “A Romanian student’s table in the diaspora”
Image description:
A simple table in a student studio apartment – a plate of pasta, a jar of zacuscă
brought from home, a glass of tap water, and a laptop open on an economics course.
In the corner, a small candle – a sign that sometimes dinner is also a moment of reflection.
Explanatory text (1 paragraph):
Life as a Romanian student in the diaspora is not always about travel or Erasmus
scholarships. Sometimes it means turning an ordinary meal into a small ritual of
survival. Pasta is cheap, zacuscă comes from home, and the laptop stays open even
during lunch break. This photograph captures the daily reality of many of us: a
combination of homesickness, responsibility, and hope. It’s a simple act, but full of
meaning. Here you don’t just see what we eat, but who we are.
Photography – Unit 2 of 4
Photo title: “My 9 sqm room – building a nest far from home”
Image description:
A corner of a student room: the bed is also a couch, the wardrobe is also a room divider,
the desk is also the dining area. On the wall, a photo of the family, above the bed –
a blanket with traditional Romanian patterns. Everything fits into 9 square meters.
Explanatory text (1 paragraph):
When you leave home, your room becomes your universe. This is where you sleep,
study, eat, dream, cry, and hope. In just 9 square meters, all your stories fit: from
the panic of the first exam in another country’s language, to the joy of putting a
little Romanian flag on the wall. Space becomes identity. Every object has a story –
and the fact that you chose them, that you placed them in a certain way, means you
have started building a new life, with roots in your old world.
Photography – Unit 3 of 4
Photo title: “My favorite notes”
Image description:
An image with an open notebook full of colorful notes, diagrams, highlights, and post-its
in several languages. In the corner you can see a cup of tea and a laptop half open, and
in the background – a warm light, standing guard.
Explanatory text (1 paragraph):
In the diaspora, you don’t just learn what’s in the syllabus, but how to survive
academically in a different environment. My notes are not just lecture summaries –
they are also mental translations, personal glossaries, inner dialogues between
Romanian and the language of instruction. Every color reflects a level of focus or a
moment of exhaustion. It’s organized chaos. But it’s mine. Here you can see my quiet
daily struggle with the subject matter, with the language, with homesickness.
Photography – Unit 4 of 4
Photo title: “A corner of calm in the university chaos”
Image description:
A photograph of an open window facing a green tree, a lit candle, headphones on a pillow,
a half-read book, and an open notebook. Natural light, a calm atmosphere, a small place
full of peace. On the wall, a handwritten note: “Breathe. You have time.”
Explanatory text (1 paragraph):
Between classes, work, pressure, missing family, and thoughts that won’t let you sleep,
I learned that you need a refuge – no matter how small. This corner is my salvation.
There’s nothing fancy about it, but here I put on my headphones and listen to a song
that takes me home. Sometimes I write, other times I just look at the tree outside. In
the diaspora, you build your own quiet with whatever you have. This is my student peace.
SM Content – 1 unit
Content type: 100-word confession
Theme: “I cried the day I got my personal number in the diaspora”
Text for social media (Instagram / Facebook / Twitter):
I cried the day I got my Swedish personal number. Not because I was sad, but because
I knew that from then on I had to be a “grown-up.” With a single 10-digit code, I lost my
childhood and gained responsibilities. I opened a bank account, filled out forms I did
not understand, and told myself, “this is real now.” In the diaspora, growing up does not
come gradually, but suddenly – on a rainy day, in a white office, in another language.
But maybe this is exactly what it means to be a Romanian student abroad: to become an
adult without realizing it.
Live Streaming – 1 unit
Proposed title: “Life in the diaspora – what I wish I had known when I arrived?”
Format: Simulated live Q&A event
DUO justification: Informational and community-focused activity, supporting Romanian students
in the diaspora through real/potential exchange of experiences.
Proposed schedule for the live Q&A:
• 18:55 – We start the broadcast, welcome message
• 19:00 – Introduction: why I chose this topic
• 19:10 – Questions from the audience (live chat / simulated)
• 19:40 – Answers and personal experiences
• 19:55 – Summary & useful resources
• 20:00 – Closing + invitation to future sessions
Possible Q&A questions:
What was the hardest moment in the first month?
Answer: Loneliness. It was hard to admit that I missed everything that was familiar –
including the bad roads in Romania.
How did you find your first decent and affordable place to live?
Answer: After three scams on Facebook. The fourth attempt worked out, with the help of
an acquaintance. Important: always ask for a contract!
What documents should I have in the first two weeks?
Answer: Passport, rental contract, university acceptance letter, proof of financial
resources (or letter of support).
How did you make friends in a place where you didn’t know anyone?
Answer: I started with a university WhatsApp group, then I joined local clubs. You just
have to take the first step.
What do you wish someone had told you before you left?
Answer: That I would change. That sometimes I would want to give up. But that exactly
then the real lesson begins.
Promotional visual (description for designer or Canva):
Main title:
LIVE: What I wish I had known when I arrived in the diaspora?
Secondary text:
Q&A between Romanian students in the diaspora
Thursday, 7:00 PM
Instagram / Facebook Live
Image: Silhouette of a student with a backpack, in front of a typically northern building,
between two flags: Romania and Sweden / Netherlands
Dominant color: Light blue + warm yellow (positive and friendly theme)
Live Q&A Transcript – “Life in the diaspora – what I wish I had known when I arrived”
Simulated live between two students (Andreea and Daria), both in Sweden.
[19:00] – INTRODUCTION
Andreea:
Hello everyone and welcome to our live! I’m Andreea and I’ve been in Sweden for a year and a half, doing my Master’s.
With me is Daria, an undergraduate student in Malmö. Today we’re talking about what we wish we had known when we first arrived here.
Daria:
Hey! I’m really happy to be here together today – because we haven’t had a live like this until now and I think it’s really needed!
It’s hard to be a student abroad, especially at the beginning.
[19:05] – QUESTION 1: What was the hardest moment in the first month?
Andreea:
Pfff… I think the first week. You arrive with one suitcase, you don’t know how the bus works, everything is new.
You don’t even have laundry detergent.
Daria:
I cried one evening because I didn’t know how to turn on the electric stove and I was hungry.
I ate crackers and told myself that maybe the next day would be easier. It was. But hard, yes.
[19:10] – QUESTION 2: How did you find housing?
Andreea:
I was scammed by a “lady” on Facebook who asked for rent in advance. I lost 100 euros.
Then someone gave me access to a serious group. Now all I recommend is: look on official websites or ask in the community.
Daria:
In my case, I was lucky. I had an acquaintance who was leaving. But if I had been alone, I think I would have slept
two nights on a platform, I’m not joking. It’s crazy at the beginning.
[19:20] – QUESTION 3: What documents did you need in the first weeks?
Andreea:
The Swedish personal number (personnummer), passport, rental contract, and a certificate from the university.
Without them, you can’t even open a bank account.
Daria:
And don’t forget: book an appointment at Skatteverket in advance! I found out there were no slots left for a month,
so… plan ahead!
[19:30] – QUESTION 4: How did you make friends?
Andreea:
Hard. At first I didn’t talk to anyone. Everyone already had their groups. Then I started going to events for
international students. That’s where I made my first friends.
Daria:
I forced myself to talk during class breaks. And even if I spoke a bit awkwardly, someone answered me.
Now we’re roommates!
[19:40] – QUESTION 5: What do you wish someone had told you before you left?
Andreea:
That you will often feel disconnected from reality. That it’s okay to be tired. That you’re not weak if you want
to go home for a while.
Daria:
That I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. That life is more than “succeeding.” That even badly cooked soup is a victory.
[19:50] – CLOSING
Andreea:
Thank you for being with us! If you have questions or experiences, write to us in the comments or by DM.
Daria:
And if you want to take part in the next live – as a guest or with questions – we’re waiting for you! This is our space,
for all Romanian students abroad. You are not alone.
Andreea:
Good night from Malmö and take care of yourselves!
