Elizabeth Wiita

I bundled up in my jacket, gloves, and hat, and prepared to walk home on a snowy day in February when my colleague and dear friend, Catalina, asked if I was free that Saturday.

“My godson is getting christened; our family would love to have you there,” she said, gleaming. I eagerly agreed. Little did I realize then that this event would be one of the most memorable experiences I had in Romania while on my Fulbright there.

Catalina and I worked on a project that aimed to synthesize renewable energy. Throughout my time working in Ploiești, România, at the Universitatea Petrol-Gaze, I worked with several Romanian colleagues and international collaborators. Performing scientific research in another country exposed me to new lab techniques and enhanced my understanding of energy solutions for our changing environment. But ultimately, the cross-cultural opportunities, such as this christening ceremony, fostered the lasting connections and memories that I cherish the most from my Fulbright experience. I have my research mentor, Professor Dragos Ciuparu, to thank for introducing me to fellow researchers and students with whom I’ve developed lifelong bonds.

The christening started at four o’clock in the afternoon. Entering the Romanian Orthodox Church, my eyes were overwhelmed by preciously preserved stained glass windows and ageless artwork celebrating Christian saints—symbols of centuries-old traditions. Family and friends filled the church, flowers in hand, juxtaposing the timeless building with fresh faces and an earthy, fragile fragrance. Watching the blessing with the holy water as prayers hummed in the background, I thought about how this timeless tradition brought this community together in celebration of new life. Following the ceremony, there was a party where I learned how to dance in the traditional Romanian style, joining hands and moving counterclockwise in a three-step sequence, and I felt like I had been totally accepted into their community.

For many families in Romania, where the majority of the population identifies as Orthodox Christians, the christening marks one of the most important events in one’s life. Being able to engage with the Romanian community in this capacity showed me the value Romanian’s place on family and friends coming together and sharing lifetime achievements. Moving across the world, I worried about finding a new community: Romanians are some of the most welcoming people I’ve ever met. The people I met eagerly welcomed me into their homes, brought me to their family events, and always made sure I had homemade jam, bread, and salata de vinete (one of my favorite Romanian foods).

My time as a Fulbrighter was about so much more than the research I was honored to work on. It was about building lasting relationships, learning about Romanian culture, and sharing my experiences with friends—the ones I’ve had for years, the ones I made as a Fulbrighter, and the ones I look forward to making as a result of the lessons I’ve learned. I am fortunate that my time in Romania brought so many wonderful people into my life who I am also able to continue to work with remotely. As a Fulbright alumna, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with American’s interested in pursuing a Fulbright in Romania; I am eager to share my positive experience with others. And I hope that my timeless memories can help others form new ones with their own, fresh perspective.