Participating in the Erasmus+ program was not just a trip for me—it was a true cultural discovery. In one intense and inspiring week, I met wonderful people from Greece, Poland, Turkistan, Barcelona, and Italy. I learned about their traditions, heard their languages, and felt how sport, friendship, and curiosity unite us all. Romania left a particularly strong impression on me—a country with a rich history, warm people, and a city I fell in love with at first sight: Iași.
Monday: The First Encounter The first day began with a welcome presentation. All the groups introduced their countries, and it was amazing to see cultural diversity come alive through faces, gestures, flags, and songs. Later, we had a fascinating meeting with Vlad Săcăleanu—a pistol shooting champion who transitioned from sports to a career in cinema. His story was truly inspiring: sports can be not just about competition, but a gateway to new opportunities.
After lunch in the university cafeteria, we had our first taste of Romanian cuisine. The menu included sarmale (cabbage rolls in vine leaves), ciorbă de burtă (sour tripe soup), and a delicious dessert called papanasi—fried cheese doughnuts topped with jam. In the evening, we enjoyed a city tour of Iași, exploring landmarks like the Palace of Culture, Union Square, and the Metropolitan Cathedral—each place telling us its own piece of the city's history.
Tuesday: A Day in the Open Air The second day was spent outside the city and filled with joy and activity. Team volleyball brought us even closer. We laughed, danced, and played football surrounded by beautiful nature. The day ended with a buffet featuring traditional Romanian dishes such as mititei, mămăligă, local cheeses, and a variety of homemade appetizers. It felt like we had become one big family.
Wednesday: Culture and Awareness In the morning, we toured Alexandru Ioan Cuza University. One of the highlights was a series of wall paintings by a Romanian artist—vibrant and symbolic works that expressed the soul of the nation. Afterward, we took part in a discussion about “The benefits of practicing physical activities for increasing the quality of life.” The evening was filled with physical activities: volleyball, handball, basketball, and finally a relaxing yoga and fitness session. I truly felt a harmony between body and mind.
Thursday: Science and Inspiration Thursday started with a visit to the “Cycling and Sports Medicine” facility. We saw how athletes' physical parameters are measured—muscle mass, endurance, height, and weight. We tried cycling sessions ourselves and learned proper training techniques. Later, we met a charismatic Romanian sumo wrestler whose energy was contagious. The day ended with a memorable meeting with Anton Alin, a Romanian athletics champion, in Iași’s botanical garden—the largest park in Romania. Surrounded by greenery, the conversation about sports felt especially alive.
Friday: A Warm Farewell The final day was marked by the closing ceremony. We received our certificates, took a group photo, hugged our new friends, and exchanged contacts. Lunch was festive, and the mood was bittersweet as we realized the week had come to an end. But we left with hearts full of memories and the deep understanding that sport and culture truly have the power to unite people from around the world.
