AIESEC CLUJ NAPOCA Reception Booklet
Contents
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Contents Sharing Development Inspiring Action Getting Connected
S I G P E
Foreword............4
D A C I M
Some facts about Romania...............5 Cluj Napoca........10 Basics.................11 The Language.....13 Getting Around...14 Sightseeing.........16
Performing Intelligence Exploring the Mind
Going out and events.................18 Tips and tricks.................20 AIESEC in Romania.........21 AIESEC in Cluj Napoca....22 Testimonials.......24 Maps...................26
4 Foreword Dear reader, I am extremely honored that my words are read by YOU, unknown reader for me, but possible trainee in AIESEC Cluj-Napoca, possible friend for me and others in our organization. For sure I can tell you that it will be an experience that will change your personality or even your world view. In Cluj-Napoca you will meet very different characters, because it is a very diverse, multi cultural and bohemian city. You will definitely find places to go, places to visit (even other cities in Transylvania that can be easily reached from Cluj-Napoca), sports to perform, pubs to enjoy, books to read, festivals and concerts to attend, NGOs and companies to work at, friends to make, and people to date : ) In AIESEC Cluj-Napoca we have a lot of different activities in which you can take part. You can work in teams to organize different events or conferences, you may take a leadership opportunity, or just be active in a department and participate at training or workshops organized in AIESEC Cluj-Napoca. What experience will have you here, depends on you and on us. As president of AIESEC Cluj-Napoca, I can promise you that we will do our best to make your exchange experience here as qualitative as possible. I truly believe that the words of our trainees are just a fragment of the experiences that they had here, in AIESEC Cluj-Napoca.
Romania A country of incredible contrast Romania's culture is the product of its geographical position and of its distinct historical evolution. It is fundamentally defined as the meeting point of three regions: Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Balkans, but cannot be truly included in any of them. The Romanian identity formed on a substratum of mixed Roman and Dacian elements, with numerous other influences like: Slavic,German, Hungarian, Turkish. In December 1989, Romania was reborn as a free nation. This diverse country now welcomes tourists who can enjoy a wonderfully varied heritage of traditional culture, scenic splendors and opportunities for leisure
Cultural Romania Romanians' vivid imagination and intense spirituality have always been expressed through their architecture, music, crafts and traditions.
For your curiosity: If you are curious to find out more geographical, historical, political or touristic details about Romania, here are some useful links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrKpXQNK16A
Truly yours, KACSO Szilard Csaba President of AIESEC Cluj-Napoca
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Authentic Romania The countryside is the heart and soul of Romania, where peasant culture remains a strong force and medieval ways prevail, as they do nowhere else in Europe.
http://www.romaniatourism.com/ http://www.turism.ro/english/ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/romania http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1057466.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romania
Natural Romania Recognized as the world's third most biologically diverse area, the Danube Delta has been recognized by UNESCO for its outstanding universal value.
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Romania
Romania Try this :) While reading descriptions about Romania here’s a small playlist to take you to our lands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x0A3zMVEDE http://www.trilulilu.ro/lupsanrares/69adc8cd6aaf94 http://www.trilulilu.ro/Aurelian13/ba3fd133c8dad4 http://www.trilulilu.ro/hrista19aida/4eb388e3294665 http://www.trilulilu.ro/liviustamin/0d89dd321e3932 http://www.trilulilu.ro/liviustamin/c5662329eb4121
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Even in cities where Audis zoom across highways under video-camera speed traps, Romanian life is defined by its sweet country heart. You can see folk festivals that are genuine expressions of local culture, not merely staged for visitors. When you buy local wood carvings or pottery you buy things made to give pleasure while in use, not just valueless souvenirs. And then there's that Dracula thing. Many visitors, lured by bloodcurdling tales, make full trips out of Transylvania's castles and lovely medieval Saxon towns like Sighişoara.
http://www.trilulilu.ro/denisa_34/f1bd00c57f0cf0
But travelers limiting themselves to chasing vampires will miss so much. The capital, Bucharest, has its critics, but the blend of grotesque communist monuments and purposefully hidden-away cathedrals and other architectural jewels, makes for fascinating exploring, taking you back in the times when Bucharest was known as 'The Little Paris'.
http://www.trilulilu.ro/bilocatul/862cdbcea48c15 http://www.trilulilu.ro/littlejapanese/ca729f14350199 http://www.trilulilu.ro/septimosaur/56d458795a7a9c http://www.trilulilu.ro/septimosaur/0bff0b0f2a6633
Did you know? ·
· The meaning of the word “Transylvania”
is the land beyond the forest? The Palace of Parliament, located in Bucharest, ranks as the biggest office building The movies Cold Mountain, Modigliani, in Europe and second-largest in the world, Callas Forever, Blood and Chocolate were after the U.S. Pentagon? filmed on location in Romania? The Romanian city of Timisoara was the first Romania features the youngest continental in Europe to have electric street-lighting? land (Danube Delta) in Europe? Voronet Monastery, located in north eastern The Bruckenthal museum in Sibiu opened its Romania, is also known as the 'Sistine Chapel doors to the public three years prior to the of the East'? Louvre Museum in Paris, being one of the first
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Brasov is home to what is said to be the narrowest street in Europe ?
museums in Europe?
Music and dance represent a lively part of the Romanian folklore and there are a great variety of musical genres and dances. Traditional party music is very lively and shows both Balkan and Hungarian influences. Romanians consider their doina (a sad song either about one's home or about love, composed like an epic ballad) unique in the world. The dances are lively and are practiced throughout Romania by a large number of professional and amateur groups, thus keeping the tradition alive; Hora is one of the most famous group dances men's folk dances such as calusari are extremely complex. Romanian spirituality is greatly influenced by its strong connections with the Eastern Christian world. There are only a few Romanian Catholics and a small number of Protestants, the vast majority of Romanians being Romanian Orthodox (over 90%).
Today first class opera and concert halls, permanent art exhibitions, like that of the sculptor Brancusi, fine museums and galleries are all specific for Romania's new sophisticated artistic sensitivity.
How would the world look without Romania?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYBSBqOWYMA&feature=related
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Romania
Romania
Romanian cuisine Romanians like to eat, and they eat a lot with a great diversity :) Recipes bear the same influences as the rest of Romanian culture: from Roman times there still exists the simple pie called, in Romanian, placinta and keeping the initial meaning of the Latin word placenta. The Turks brought meatballs (fried mititei or perisoare in a soup called a ciorba); from the Greeks there is the musaca (moussaka); from the Bulgarians, a wide variety of vegetable dishes like zacusca; from the Austrians there is the snitel (schnitzel) and covrigi (hot pretzels); from the Hungarians, their ornate pastries; and the list could go on. One of the most common meals is the mamaliga. Pork is the main meat used in Romanian cuisine ("The best fish is always the pork"), but also beef is consumed and a good lamb or fish dish is never to be refused. In conjunction with special events or periods, different recipes are prepared.
For more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuisine_of_Romania
Alcohol And since a meal is incomplete without a responsible amount of alcohol... The traditional drink is known as either the famous tuica (a once-refined plum brandy) or palinca (twice-or-more-refined plum brandy). Romania is currently the world's ninth largest wine producer, and exports have increased in recent years. A wide variety of domestic (Grasa, Tamaioasa) and worldwide (Italian Riesling, Merlot, Sauvignon blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Beer in Romania comes from the long tradition of Romanian brewing, being introduced in Transylvania by the German colonists (Transylvanian Saxons) and in Moldavia by cultural connections with Poland.
Want more? http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=142699105770909
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Cluj Napoca
Basics Currency Romania's currency is LEU (RON). http://coinmill.com/RON _calculator.html#RON=1
Romanian pronunciation:[ˈkluʒ naˈpoka] German: Klausenburg; Hungarian: Kolozsvár; Latin: Castrum Clus, Claudiopolis; Yiddish: Kloiznburg. In the heart of Transylvania, Cluj awaits its visitors, with the silent full of history walls and hospitable people. Treasures of architecture and centuries of shaping people’s minds have made up a unique realm. You’ll see here the famous Transylvanian calm and reflexive mind, seriousness and pride. The Dacian and the Roman names of the city were joined in “Cluj-Napoca” in 1974. But the history of more than two millennia dates this settlement back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages. Napoca flourished as a municipium under the Roman rule and was raised to the status of a colony and the capital city of Dacia Porolisensis in the 2nd century. The population withstood the invasion of several nomadic tribes after the Roman withdrawal, until the city was conquered by the Hungarians. The king of Hugary, Carol Robert, proclaimed the settlement a town in 1316 and later, 1405, Cluj was declared a free royal city, with permission to build fortifications. Today, the Tailors’ Bastion and other remaining portions of the medieval wall may been seen on a few streets, either isolated or included in buildings, the oldest tower hosting nowadays the Spelaeology Museum. Stephen Bathory founded a Jesuit academy in 1581, with three faculties, and the city became the main cultural and religious center of Transylvania, later on in 1872 being inaugurated the Babes Bolyai University, w here today more than 50.000 students enroll each year. In 1790, Cluj became the headquarters of Hungarian governors and the capital of Ardeal province. Romania received Transylvania by the Treaty of Trianon after World War I, but Hungary regained possession of the province in 1940. After World War II Transylvania entered into the possession of Romania, and the subsequent communist years - dark period for the entire country - ended in 1989. The re-evaluation of all the aspects of the life of the Romanians brought about a series of economic, political and social changes.
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Exchange offices Functioning in banks and in special street offices – and even in a bar (Diesel) – most of them of them will exchange money in lei at no commission. Just make sure you read the ads stating the conditions of the transaction carefully and never be fooled by some people who may make you exchange offers on the street. A passport must be presented at the exchange offices.
Banks http://www.cluj4all.com/addresses/money,9/banks,18/
Business Hours Services and business meetings are expected to begin as early as 10AM and end before 5PM. However, most official documents and applications should be scheduled early in the morning.
Shops Most shops are open from 9AM until 810PM. But there are also a number of nonstop shops in the center and kiosks in the districts. Services are not usually available on Saturdays and Sundays.
Emergency phone numbers Dial 112 for any emergency, free of charge from any phone and any operating network.
Internet access There are several wi-fi hot spots in central Cluj (Eroilor Boulevard and the Museum Square) and outskirts, but nowadays most cafes and bars provide free wi-fi, so you may zip your coffee, with good music and pleasant atmosphere, while surfing on the internet.
Post offices Display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta. Main Post Office Address: Str. Regele Ferdinand 33 Open: Mon. - Fri. 7:00am - 8:30pm; Sat. 8:00am - 1:00pm; Closed Sun.
12 Basics
The Language
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Time zone
Basic elements of Romanian
Cluj is on Central European time (CET): GMT + 2 hours.
Are you a good mime? If not, here are some tips on our language
Climate
All the Romanian words are pronounced the way they are written. There are though a few exceptions in this respect. See below some of the letters of Romanian that are different from the English alphabet.
Cluj-Napoca has a continental climate, characterized by warm dry summers and cold winters. The climate is influenced by the city's proximity to the Apuseni Mountains, as well as by urbanization. Some West-Atlantic influences are present during winter and autumn.
Electricity Romania's electricity network operates at 230 V. Plugs are the regular two pin continental types.
Phone card If your company doesn't give you a company mobile phone, we will take
you to buy a cheap SIM card for your phone. This will cost up 5 €. It is advisable that you buy ORANGE phone card because almost everybody is on this network, and it offers you the best options that provide you hundred of minutes. Other networks available in Romania are Vodafone and Cosmote.
Numerals 1 – unu Ǎ, ǎ – as in amazing Â, â, î – [ ew ] Ş, ş – [ sh ] – as in shame Ţ, ţ – [ ts ] – as in tsar Ce, ci – [ ch ] – as in change and children
2 – doi 3 – trei 4 – patru 5 – cinci 6 – şase 7 – şapte
Greetings Hello! – Salut! Good morning! – Bunǎ dimineaţa! Good afternoon! – Bunǎ ziua! Good evening !– Bunǎ seara! Good night! – Noapte bunǎ! Goodbye! – La revedere!
Ge, ghi – [ dȝe ] [ dȝi ] - as in general and ginger
8 – opt
Che , chi – as in care and key
9 – nouǎ
Presentation
Ghe, ghi – as in game and guitar
10 – zece
My name is… - Mǎ numesc…
Key phrases
100 – o sutǎ
I am from… - Sunt din…
Living costs
Yes – Da
Here’s an easy tool to help you predict your budget for Romania:
Thank you! – Mulţumesc!
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
Please – Vǎ rog!
No – Nu
Sorry! – Scuze!/Pardon!
Happy birthday! – La mulţi ani!
1000 – o mie 1 million – un million
Miscellaneous It is hot – este cald/fierbinte It is cold – este rece What time is it? – cât este ceasul? How much does it cost? – Cât costǎ?
Also we provide you a small list of prices of basic products in Cluj:
Here – aici There – acolo
Milk (regular), 1l......3,5 - 6 RON Bread......2,5-5 RON Water (0.5 l)....2 to 2,5 RON Eggs (1piece)....0.50 RON Fresh Cheese (1kg).......14-28 RON Tomatoes(1kg)........3-6RON Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg).....12-16RON Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant .... 10 to 15 RON Beer (produced in Romania)....3-6 RON(market), 4-9 RON(bars) Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range in market).....15 RON Pack of Cigarettes (the cheapest).....10.90 RON
Where – unde When – când
Useful places
I don’t speak romanian - Nu vorbesc româneşte
Train station – garǎ
I love you – te iubesc
Airport – aeroport Bus stop – staţie de autobus
Emergencies
Street - stradǎ
Help! – Ajutor!
How can I go to the… - Cum pot ajunge la…
Watch out! – Atenţie! I am sick – Mi-e rǎu Where's the toilet? – Unde este toaleta?
Where can I take a taxi? – De unde pot lua un taxi?
If you want to learn more Romanian, ask your trainee buddy and we can provide you Romanian language classes.
14 Getting around
Getting around 15 Taxi If you don't like Cluj public transport (which is very crowded sometimes) you can get around by taxi. There are may taxis and quite enough taxi companies in Cluj Napoca. Taxi stations are situated near major public transport stations and near all points of interest. All taxi companies have the same fees, 1.79 RON per km + 1.79 RON start fee. After 10 pm the fee is 1.99 RON per km. Order a taxi: Taxi Diesel: 0264/946 or from mobile *9946 Taxi NOVA: 0744959959 All prices are showed on the car door. So, please look at the prices when you get on the taxi, because there may be some taxis (we call them "sharks") which practice much higher fees. The "sharks" usually stand at the Railway Station or at the Airport.
Bus, trolley, tram - We recommend that you buy a busticket, otherwise you may get a rather Bicycle bug fine. http://travel-to- -a ticket valid 2 trips costs 3,5 lei (about cluj.blogspot.com/search/label/Bike%20rental 0,8 euro) from special kiosks in the station and you must validate it by or you can also rent for free for 2h - ask your yourselves trainee buddy for details :) - for a buss pass contact you trainee buddy or the exchange quality Rent a car responsible http://www.rent-a-car-cluj.ro/ - bus schedule: or http://www.ratuc.ro/programe1.php Avis Rent –a- car: b-dul 21 Decembrie nb 54- Metro 56 There is no metro running underneath Car& go: Calea dorobantilor nb 48 the city, although the city had a major who tried to start a metro project.
If you want to explore the surroundings of Cluj or just get out in the country...the most popular way to travel, for wonderful scenery, for meeting people and their stories is...the train.
But trains in Romania, tend to teach you how to be patience, being famous for their “on time” arrivals :) Types: Rapid: These are the fast, modern trains. They are equivalent to trains you will find in Western Europe. They don’t stop much and they move fast. These are not the norm. Inter City: Are the fastest, the most comfortable and...the most expensive, but with few rides. Accelerate: You should always shoot for taking at least an Accelerate train. These are moderately fast and do not make frequent stops. This is fine if you are going to medium or large cities, but not if you are trying to get to villages. Buy a first-class ticket. Personal: These are-most might say- the worst, the slowest train you can ride, but the cheapest. You may need to take one to get to a village, though I would recommend hitchhiking over taking these trains. They stop at every stop. They go at about four miles an hour. They are often without running water or seemingly any kind of personnel responsible for cleaning out the old beer bottles, half-gnawed pears, used tissue, and other assorted filth. The easiest way to check the schedule: http://www.mersultrenurilor.ro/
Sightseeing
16 Sightseeing Botanical Garden
National theater
Occupying 14 ha of abrupt and hilly land in the south of the city, it is the largest green area of ClujNapoca, displaying a large variety of flora.
UNESCO patrimony, the monument of architecture which host the theater and opera, was built in 1906 in baroque with rococo style, by Austrian architects Helmer and Fellner.
St. Michael Cathedral
The Orthodox Cathedral
Was built between 1350 and 1487, probably immediately after the settlement had officially become a town, in 1316.
Built in 1923-1933 with a Romanian Brâncovenesc style, a synthesis of Renaissance and Byzantine architecture; it lies on the Avram Iancu Square.
Central Park Slabbed alleys and narrow paths, benches and playgrounds, the familiar artesian well and an irregular scenic pond, all make up the favorite recreation place of the inhabitants.
Tailors’ tower Built in the 15th century, it guarded the southern access way in the medieval fortress. Today it holds the center for urban art.
Ethnographic Museum
Endowed with a collection of more than 65,000 ethnographic items, the museum offers an excellent introduction to Transylvania folk art and traditions. .
National Art Museum
The Baroque German palace, former residence of count Banffy, now hosts Cluj Napoca Art Museum, offering a fivecentury synthesis of Romanian art.
The rest is for you to discover:
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Going out and events 19
Going out and events
With almost 100.000 students, Cluj is a city that never sleeps. And the best thing about Cluj-Napoca nightlife, in addition to the fact that there’s always a cheerful crowd of students ready to party, is that most cafes, clubs and bars are situated close to each other, on one of the picturesque narrow streets that form the historic center of the city.
If you want to be updated with events and parties in Cluj Napoca, you can join our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_211697102174037&ap=1 or other websites like: http://eventful.com/events?geo=city_id:2500365 ; http://www.cluj4all.com/addresses/business,21/conferences-and-events,86/a.s.c.cluj-raving-society,1324/ ; http://www.partytude.ro/ Also here is a list of some of the biggest festivals in Cluj Napoca and Romania: Transylvania International Film Festival, Cluj-Napoca http://www.tiff.ro/ International Comedy Film Festival, Cluj-Napoca http://www.comedycluj.ro/ Transilvania International Guitar Festival, Cluj-Napoca http://www.transilvaniaguitar.ro/ Ÿ Baroque Music Festival, Cluj Napoca Ÿ Light Festival, Cluj Napoca http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_ThER6HnZo Ÿ International Romani Art Festival, Cluj Napoca http://www.iraf.ro/ Ÿ Septemberfest, Cluj Napoca Ÿ Gay film nights festival, Cluj Napoca Ÿ Transilvania Jazz Festival, Cluj Napoca Ÿ Classical Music Festival, Cluj Napoca Ÿ MAN.In.FEST - International Festival of Experimental Theatre, Cluj Napoca Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Going to the cinema is still popular with the inhabitants, due to the two refurbished cinemas and the two multiplex cinemas in Iulius and Polus Mall. There is always some event going on, if not at Student’s Culture Centre (CCS), than probably at Tranzit House or in some café like Insomnia or Carturesti Tea House, Gambrinus or L’atelier or Booha bar, if you’re lucky, you could pop in just in the middle of some major event, like Transylvania International Film Festival, Transylvania Jazz Festival, Man.in.Fest Experimental Theatre Festival and many other festivals and fairs. The going out routine in Cluj consists of two steps: first, having a couple of drinks in a pub, second, descending underground into some noisy club. Piezisa Street, in Hasdeu campus is nothing but open terraces, cheap drinks and youthful atmosphere. Other bars are centered around Unirii Square, Muzeului Square, Eroilor Boulevard and the old city wall (Potaisa, Baba Novac Streets). Local and international bands can be enjoyed on a weekly basis in places like: Irish Music Pub, Janis Pub, Diesel Club or Autograf. If you want to enjoy some good vibes in trendy clubs you have Midi, Bamboo or Obsession, if you want clubs with music for all tastes: Janis, Retro, My way and the rest is for you to discover, especially because the best bars and clubs are hidden :) .
EUROPAfest, Bucharest http://www.jmevents.ro/Evenimente-2010-s16-ro.htm Stufstock, Vama Veche Peninsula / Félsziget Festival, Targu Mures George Enescu Festival - Classical Music, Bucharest, http://www.festivalenescu.ro/ Gărâna Jazz Festival - Gărâna, Caraş-Severin Anonimul - International Independent Film Festival, Sfântu Gheorghe, Tulcea, http://www.festival-anonimul.ro/festival_homes_en Ÿ NexT Film Festival - International Short Film Festival, Bucharest, Ÿ Sighişoara Medieval Festival - Cultural (Medieval revival), http://www.sighisoaramedieval.ro/index_en.html Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
20 Tips & tricks Romania can get a bad rap, but don't cancel your trip if you're worried about losing a
wallet or getting a dog bite –it's not that extreme. Prominent scams in the country are jacked-up prices for tourists in Bucharest restaurants, taxis that charge extortionate fares (call for a taxi with companies as recommended by us), and a lifted wallet if you're not careful in public squares or jampacked buses – like much of the world. Outside the capital, and away from touristy zones like Braşov or Cluj you might end up being surprised you were ever concerned. Don't expect police to offer any change. In the past guys in bogus uniforms have asked to see passports in Bucharest, and run off with them. Don't hand over your passport in public.
USING YOUR LANGUAGE IN ROMANIA Getting by in Cluj only in English is easy. People, especially youngsters, will master French, Italian and Spanish as well, due to the similarities between Romanian and other Romanic languages. From taxi drivers to hotel receptionists, quite a fair number of people will understand you. If you fail to make yourself understood, sign language is always close at hand…
AIESEC in Romania 21 AIESEC in Romania was born in March 1990, when a team from Austria came to our country with the intention of founding AIESEC Romania. From that moment until today, 13 cities host AIESEC. Among those, there are Braşov, Bucureşti, Constanţa, Cluj-Napoca, Craiova, Galaţi, Iaşi, Oradea, Piteşti, Ploieşti, Sibiu, Timişoara and Târgu-Mureş. In 2010, AIESEC Romania is expanding its national network in Arad and Suceava. Our membership base consists of more than 1,000 young people in over 40 universities in 15 cities from Romania. Local offices are managed by students or recent graduates. AIESEC is run by youth, for youth. Together, the network manages relationships with well over 550 partners, facilitates more than 600 internships and 700 leadership roles. National conferences you can attend: SprinCo February; ICPS May; RockMe August; RYLF November.
MC
AIESEC Romania 50 Mircea Voda Street, BL. M20, 3th Floor, Flat 30, sector 3, Bucharest, Romania. Tel: +40 31 405 44 51 Fax: +40 31 405 44 52 romania@aiesec.net
There are few things that you should not forget to include into your luggage when coming: Ÿ Your favorite Cd’s and books; Ÿ Some pictures of your family, friends, home
etc.; Ÿ Some typical sweets and dishes; Ÿ Your national flag and other presentation materials which you can use to make a cultural presentation of your country; Ÿ Some Cd’s of your typical music or folklore; Ÿ Some recipes of your traditional dishes; Ÿ Just in case a sleeping bag or/and sheets Ÿ Swimming suits, umbrella, shampoo, toothbrush etc Ÿ if you take any kind of medicine, take your prescription with you; Ÿ If you wear glasses or contact lenses, also bring your prescription with you Ÿ and of course your excitement for starting a new life changing experience :)
Contact
Executive Board members President - Michael Omescu - michael.omescu@aiesec.net Vice President External Relations - Daniela Coman - daniela.coman@aiesec.net Vice President Communication - Valentin Sava- sava.valentin@aiesec.net Vice President Finance - Iulia Tonu - iulia.tonu@aiesec.net Vice President Local Committees Development - Catalin Adam -catalin.adam@aiesec.net Vice President Talent Management - Razvan Vlad - razvan.vlad@aiesec.net Vice President Incoming Exchange Non-Corporate - Oana Gavril - oana.gavril@aiesec.net Vice President Incoming Exchange Corporate - Ramona Bilic - ramona.bilic@aiesec.net Vice President Outgoing Exchange - Cristina Banuta - banuta.cristina@aiesec.net Vice President Alumni Relations - Oana Bulmaga - oana.bulmaga@aiesec.net
22 AIESEC in Cluj Napoca
AIESEC in Cluj Napoca 23 The Executive Board President - Szilárd KACSÓ - kacso.csaba@aiesec.net +40 742 594095
Founded in 1994 by a group of 5 students, AIESEC Cluj-Napoca became one of the biggest LCs in Romania, in the present having approximately 80 active members. In 2011 at the National Congress we have managed to accomplish one of our dreams and win “The Excellence Award”, which made us really proud and motivated us to have more and more qualitative projects and experiences for our members. Each year AIESEC Cluj-Napoca creates projects focused on themes such as entrepreneurship, education, IT or CSR in partnership both with public and private institutions. During the last years, we have tried to collaborate more with other NGOs from Cluj-Napoca and we actually managed to do this and positionate ourselves in projects like “Sunny Days” or “Be a volunteer”. We should also mention our strong organizational culture and the fact that AIESEC Cluj-Napoca created its own values, SIGPE DACIM (mentioned below); values that our members are living in the organization and we hope that all the internationals that come in Cluj-Napoca will be able to feel and live during their internship in our Local Comitee. The Values of AIESEC Cluj-Napoca are SIGPE DACIM, which is an acronym from Sharing Development Inspiring Action Getting Connected Performing Intelligence Exploring the Mind
Operational director Larisa Nica - nica.larisa@aiesec.net +40 740 794254 Vice President Incoming Exchange Non-Corporate Adriana Bozbiciu - adriana.bozbiciu@aiesec.net +40 746 846841 Vice President Outgoing Exchange Andreea Adamescu - andreea.adamescu@aiesec.net +40 741 981354 Vice President Talent Management Roxana Berche - roxana.berche@aiesec.net +40 743 566237 Vice President Communication Alina Cocoș - alina.cocos@aiesec.net +40 747 157762 Vice President Finance Anca Şerbu - anca.serbu@aiesec.net +40 740 067071
24 Testimonials
Testimonials
25
‘My homecountry is Estonia but after spending two months in one of the most fascinating student cities Cluj-Napoca, I could easily become Romanian and move here. Maybe two months is a bit short time to say such a thing but that´s how Cluj-Napoca, all the places in Romania I´ve visited and the Romanian people I´ve become friends with have affected me...For some reason I was expecting more of a cultural shock but I think Cluj-Napoca with it´s student and international vibe has played a crucial role here...To conchise – I don´t regret taking the decision and the step of coming to Romania. Not a single bit. The experience I´ve gained from this is helping me to define myself, move forward and share the experience.’ Martin Tulit, Estonia ‘Hi future trainee in Cluj - Napoca...The advice i can give you is to enjoy every single moment, even those that seem crappy at that moment, you will laugh about them the next day believe me... Travel a lot during your internship.... Go to all the places near by and why not to the countries near by?? Traveling with the train is a MUST while you are in Romania....Don't be afraid to do things you would normally not do, this is your opportunity to do those things....If you have roommates spend some wild nights just with them, it will bring you really close and make your time there easier and more fun. Plus you will add it to all the other moments that you will have with them :) You will end up being a little family...Live this period of your life to your fullest!!!!’ Tereza Makri Greece ‘Here are some important things I feel you should know as a new trainee in Romania: It is always good to learn one to ten in Romanian...Don’t be late. Things here work on time and Romanian people are too nice to tell you that you were late..Be involved with the LC as far as possible...Use your trainee buddies...Alcohol is cheap, I know. Especially to my Indian friends, keep the level of drinking at moderate...Enjoy every minute that you’re here in this country; it will be over even before you know it’ Gaurav Sathe,India ‘When I am living in Romania, I start to realize that people in Hong Kong are quite coldblooded and keeping distance from each other since people in Romania are more intimate and caring than us. People do treasure how much fun we have together instead of how efficient we are. Justin, Hong Kong ‘Visiting Cluj-Napoca was one of my greatest experiences ever. Unique places, unique people. This was the trip that was a big start for me and I will always remember all the peoples connected to that trip. This was a big opportunity to meet not only great friends from Romania, but also from different, even the farthest places all over the World. I just have to mention that Romanian girls are soooo beautiful, beer and food soooo delicious and pubs open 24/7 :)’ Jakub Łabowicz, Poland Is it possible to fit a two-month experience in a sheet paper? Simple answer. Not really!!... our language classes, the last part of our project, were also interesting and fun! Language is a culture's strongest element, so the weeks that passed we had an insight to three different cultures – Estonian, Greek and Romanian...Romania is a part of me now, I feel that I acquired important knowledge about it, in a way that it doesn't feel a 'foreign' country any more. It's a country lived at and had the chance to get to know it!’ Foukaki Amalia, Greece
‘Romania and New Zealand may be very far apart geographically, but being on exchange here has made me realise that it is not the world is not so small – and despite differences in culture, it is the actions of people that are important. I arrived in Romania not knowing anyone, but immediately felt at home thanks to my friends at AIESEC Cluj Napoca’. Irene McDowall, New Zealand ‘I don't think I could have asked for a better AIESEC experience than my internship with gROw in Cluj Napoca. Needless to say, Romania is a beautiful country. I lost my heart here with its colorful cottages, dancing crimson tulips on window sills or the adorable cobble-stoned piatas. But really the best part is the people...I would suggest to any EPs to spend some time backpacking through the medieval cities in Transylvania like I did. The LC is very helpful in organizing it...On a parting note: I wish I could go back in time and relive my entire Romanian experience!’ Jehana Vazifdar – India ‘ ‘Actually to be honest i liked everything i didn't have a lot of problem, you will not believe me but now i feel myself more experienced...… Well I guess for the first time it was little bit hard for me cause I didn't know that children and didn't know the language, but after when we started talk like body language and eye contact I started know them better we made friendship with children...I already miss them and Cluj... Mulţumiri pentru tot!!!’ Zarifa Hasanova, Azerbaijan Why Romania? And why with AIESEC? These were the most asked questions when I told people about my plans to go abroad again. The second question was easy to answer because I worked for 2,5 years in AIESEC. The first one: Well it was coincidence. I just planned to go to an Eastern European country and the only reason why it was Romania was the date of the internship. It was a really nice coincidence...So I want to thank AIESEC and especially LC Cluj-Napoca for an amazing experience. You were the most hearty people I could imagine. LIVE THE DREAM!!!!FOAIE VERDE CLUJ-NAPOCA!!! Alex, Germany
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! n oo Booklet realized for AIESEC Cluj Napoca
2011 __________________________________ by Anca Stefania Robu exchange quality responsible