Romania and its image outside the borders

1. Romania… a magic land of traditions, customs and moral values preserved here for centuries…an amazing country with an indescribable beauty of the landscape and a large variety of the relief, combining stately mountains, rolling hills and fertile fields. A place where time seems to have stopped in order to admire itself the wonders of this nature…also including Maramures, a region with magnificent wooden churches, traditional music, colourful costumes and ancient festivals, where rural ancient life appears to have remained intact.Nearly all the travellers are impressed with the general warmness and friendliness people here tend to welcome them; and if a tourist shows any interest in their country and wants to know more about its history or culture, Romanians will gladly offer to help him (in villages, he even might be invited into someone's home).Unfortunately, this truly world treasure is barely known outside the borders, and, paradoxically, many people from other countries seem to have a different and negative view about it. Not only is it seen as an underdeveloped country, but also some foreigners tend to question its political, social, economical values and its possibility to join the European Community.Their doubts- supported by a former difficulty of catching up with the standards of the Europe (partially due to the Ceausescu's Communist dictatorship, which had isolated the country from the West) - do not have anymore a real basis as the Romanian government together with the population are doing their best to lay by their country to the European standards .In this context, problems like the tension between the minority groups and the rest of the population or the high number of homeless children and orphans are getting a particular attention (besides corruption, for example), but not the needed one. Furthermore, a slight change in the attitude towards the minorities and a re-evaluation of the priorities and values will be appropriate, meaning an important step to a modern Romania.If these problems are worked out, the country's image outside the borders will be automatically improved. The Romanians will not be seen anymore as thieves, having no sense of good manners and begging in the streets, but in their real image: nice-looking, strong-minded and proud about their natural heritage and culture.Only then, Romania will be appreciated to its real value. It will offer the world its cultural and natural heritage and it will develop more its sense of identity.

Maria Pop,XI C

2. A REALITY

The numerous beauties of our country are still a mystery for the majority of the Europeans, not to mention those that belong to other continents. The spirit of belonging to a country, especially a country like Romania that has so many things to offer, unites all Romanians and it is their simplicity, vitality and closeness to nature that make them so special and different.A Romanian will always be a Romanian no matter of the continent he or she settled in, the college he/she graduated from or the size of his banking account; it is our unique spirit that always shines through and our strong will and power that make us winners.Unfortunately, the Romanians were stereotyped as bad-mannered (in a “polite” way), aggressive and unreliable or simply as gypsies… .This is a common mistake that most rich countries make, that is to judge without having looked for reliable information first. Indeed, a foreigner who has never visited Romania, will not be able to give (nor to have) an objective opinion on the country or its inhabitants and needless to say, he does not have the right to do it. “The others” couldn’t possibly learn about Romania or about any other country in particular, only by reading a leaflet, a magazine, surfing the Internet, etc. Knowing a Romanian in person is very important, if not vital, and by abolishing this first border powerful bonds manage to be created in no time. One single “authentic” Romanian is able to change hundreds of points of view that foreigners have had for centuries (and still have!!!!!!!!!!!!!)The way foreigners see us, the Romanian people, hasn’t changed very much in the last couple of years. For them we still are, all of us, gypsies, illiterate people, a sub-developed country with inhabitants dying of starvation and beggars. Isn’t it all a bit too much?????? Why are the others better than we are??? A single honest and literate voice can change, even at a restricted scale,” misconceptions older than the concept itself “becoming a proof of what we are or of what we can be. Through each one of us that really wants to make a difference, Romania is more accessible to foreigners! If there is will there is power and indeed the power to overcome all kind of obstacles.I personally think that Romania should stand out for its beliefs and first of all, for its right to be seen through objective eyes and to be judged without any prejudices. These prejudices kill the Romanian spirit in each of us!To sum up, I think that Romania has very much to offer and its availability to do it is already a well-known fact. The others will just have to empty their minds of any prejudice or misjudgement and open their hearts. Through the power of our will we will conquer your hearts.

Raluca Popa,11th C form

3.How are we (as people/country/ nation) and how do the others see us?

Romania, an interesting country with interesting people, should be considered a symbol of diversity.If we want to be realistic and to better understand the society we live in, we ought to discover and analyse everything that surrounds us, from cultural and social issues, to the differences among people, reflected in their way of life and customs. I think that we, the Romanians, as part of our society, were brought up as being concerned to live in a proper way, to behave as good as we can, but also to think about the others. We are generally open-minded persons, realistic ones, we want to improve our living standards, but also to hope for a better life.Unfortunately, nobody can be perfect. Therefore, we should admit that our society still faces several problems and the best solution consists in our focusing on the different ones which are still sensed among us. Here in Romania, people should be more tolerant with others, because neglecting social difficulties won’t solve anything.My point of view is that the relationship between the Romanians and the others reflect the way we are seen by other peoples, not always from a correct angle. The main problem is represented by the lack of communication and tolerant attitudes. Even if many of us are intelligent, honest and interesting people, not many foreigners get to see us as we really are. They are influenced by the mass media, which often gives a twisted image of our country, emphasizing only the negative aspects. We cannot blame foreigners if they compare us with thieves, gipsies which are street beggars in their countries, or other things connected to human vices. They cannot see who we really are because, partially, we didn’t give them the opportunity. In this case, we are the guilty ones. Maybe we aren’t strong enough to express our beliefs, so eventually we let them judge us without even considering our thoughts. On the other hand, foreigners don’t want to explore our real world, they don’t enter it and they prefer to stay near the borders and do nothing.Romania deserves more attention and respect from the others. We must make efforts in order to show them that we are normal citizens, only that we need their help and understanding to minimize the negative aspects of our society, to reach their standards.As a conclusion, I should say that everybody needs to be more tolerant with the others, as each person and society has a bright and a dark side.

Adina Dunca11th form

4. How are we and how do the others see us?

Romania is the largest country on the Balkan Peninsula of Eastern Europe.Decades of Communists rule left Romania one of te poorest countries in Europe. The capital is Bucharest.That’s how Romania really is, but how do the others see it?Well, few peope know that Romania is a large country and many consider that Budapest is the capital.It’s so sad to see how badly informed people are.It’s a shame that other countries know so few things about one of the loveliest places.Tourists are attracted by the Black Sea.One of the highlights are the dolphins,many species of fish and birds,like the pelican. Romania has also beautifull mountains,like the Carpathian Mountains.In winter peope can sky and play in the .Romania is truly an attraction for tourists,with hot summers and cold winters.Another highlight about our country are the plants and the animals.Foreigners appreciate the beautifull forests,with oak trees,bleech,fir and spruce.Romanian’s wildlife includes very rare species of animals such as the goatlike chamois.The forests are the home for many birds like the vultures and eagles and also for red deers,foxes,wolfs and many others species of animals.These are all the goods Romania has to offer.Unffortunetly the Communist rule transformed our country in a very poor one.A very sad period was the leadership of Nicolae Ceausescu.All criticism about him were fiercely punished and many country resources were wasted.The peope had to endure a very sad period ,but the communism had a good part too,despite what the others belive.Romanians had a quarantee that when they become 18 they will get a job and that they could easy get a flat.We must see the good part in every bad experience.Few foreigners know what the Romanians had to endure,but in December 1989 they protested against the Communism.Ceausescu was arrested and executed.Since that period the country began to progress,slowly,but constantly.It’s a shame that despite all the beauties this country has to offer,the foreign countries see us just as an poor former communism country.The gypses are seen with bad eyes and the Romanians belive that they are the major problem why our country is so badly seen by others.Romania has the duty to make what’s the best to show its qualitiess to become a better place and to become more tolerant with others.Let’s hope that our membership in NATO and hopefully in the UE will make us a better seen country.

Anda Sas10th E

5. HOW ARE WE AND HOW DO OTHERS SEE US?

Romania – the land of orphan children and homeless people”. “Romania – the gipsy land”. “Romania – a land of misery and corruption”.

“Romania – a land deprived of civilization...”Whether we like it or not, these are the most frequent associations which occur in the strangers’ minds when they are asked about Romania. For more than 15 years, we have done very few to improve our own country’s image. And we are the only ones to be blamed for not having fought enough.But we have to admit that strangers are far from being wrong. We DO have a lot of problems to deal with, concerning gipsies, orphan children, poor people and misery on the streets (and not only). And the worst thing is that we let all these affect the others too, and by this I’m referring to the gipsies that go abroad and steal or to the poor people who annoy strangers when they visit Romania – or even in their own country – by begging. In my opinion, beggars are one of our greatest problems.Even so, if you interview strangers on what they know about Romania, you will be surprised that they do know even good things, mainly locations or Romanian famous people, especially sportsmen. A survey made on Germans, French and British reveals surprising information. Many of them see Romania as a ”painting” with beautiful women, or they admire the Romanian’s character ( friendly, hard-workers, glad to help, cheerful). They also mention Romania’s extraordinary landscapes and the famous Dracula.Unfortunately, we still make a lot of mistakes and a major one is that we do not protect our environment and, as a result, Romania is one of the countries in which the rate of pollution is very high.But we all want to fight to improve our living standards and international image. And even a single person CAN make a difference. A single Romanian’s attitude towards strangers is very important in forming an opinion about who you are, reported to ”where you come from”. Through your own existence you create an image of your own country. We will be perceived by the way we behave, by our values as human-beings. We all are important in changing our image, we all have to take the matter in our own hands, we all have to fight to make things better.In my opinion, the creation of a new and favourable image of Romania throughout the world will require time, professionalism, coordination and cohesion in communication. Until then, Romania will continue to be perceived by strangers as a corrupt and bureaucrat country, a country of gipsies and conmen, deprived of civilization and future perspectives.
In conclusion, we need to spend more money and efforts on education, health, fighting poverty and corruption and the positive results will not be late.

Alisia Muresn11th C