Alina Staniloiu

About Alina Staniloiu

Hello! My name is Alina Staniloiu and I am an international student from Romania. Currently, I am in my second year of European Languages and Cultures, with European Language and Society as my major profile. Additionally, I am studying two foreign languages, Spanish as major language and French as minor language. I am also a student of the Honours College programme and the vice-chair of the seventh faction of Letteren Vooruit, a party that represents the students of the Faculty of Arts within the Faculty Council. When it comes to my free time, I love to spend time with my friends, and when I am not with them, you can find me biking around the city.

Why European Languages and Cultures?

Ever since I was in primary school, I was inclined towards the linguistic sphere, at first, being more interested in the structural aspects of languages. Later on, I discovered the beauty of the social part which fascinated me even more. As time passed by, I realized that I wanted to follow a path that involved the study of languages and their interplay with our society. Therefore, this study was the perfect match for me. Not only do I love its focus on my main area of interest, but also its broadness which can give me access to other domains, such as politics and literature. From my point of view, this BA programme does not limit your opportunities after graduation, but rather opens multiple doors for you, which is what we are all looking for.

Why Groningen?

As I was mainly interested in languages, I decided that the most fulfilling experience for me, both personally and professionally, would be to study abroad. I decided to look for a university in the Netherlands and my educational consultant proposed to me this programme which suited all my interests. Groningen was not a top choice for me, as I was not even familiar with the city before choosing this university. However, it turned out to be the best place to spend student life. It is a beautiful city with lots of international students with whom you can have amazing memories.

Future

Regarding my future, I am not sure yet what my plans are. One of the dreams that I have is to work within the European Union, but at the same time, I am also interested in becoming either a French or Spanish teacher at the University. At the moment I am preparing and gaining experience for both of them, and I am sure that in the near future I will make up my mind and take the best decision for my future career.

Golden Tip

Before UG: Make sure that you start looking for accommodation as soon as possible because there is a serious issue when it comes to housing in Groningen. Consequently, it is better to start early and be sure that at the beginning of the academic year you have a roof over your head.

At UG: Every journey is different, so do not compare yourself to the other students. Do not be too hard on yourself and do not put too much pressure because your mental health is the most important thing. Even though at first everything might seem hard, trust the process because you will quickly find your own rhythm to go through everything. Be patient!