A Romanian family that has been living in the USA for 20 years is considering returning to Romania, but has a big dilemma: whether it will be able to adapt to the system here. What were the answers of hundreds of Romanians faced with the same dilemma.
Romania is a beautiful country – claimed all the participants in the discussion. PHOTO: Transalpina
A Romanian family, with two daughters, plans to return to Romania after more than 20 years spent in the USA. Mireille asked the members of a Facebook page of Romanians back home for their opinions on re-adapting to society in Romania.
“Greetings to all! My husband and I are currently in the USA, where we are raising our 2 daughters, both born here. We have been here for about 2 decades. I joined the group not because I made a final decision, but rather because a return 'home' at some point is not totally out of the question” – wrote the Romanian.
The family has several dilemmas, but one of the biggest concerns the fact that every time they analyzed the possibility of returning, they were reminded of cases of people who returned to Romania, then returned to America, because “they could no longer adapt to the system there”.
“Honestly, looking back, I realize that those rumors played a big role in the decisions I made later. We have since focused exclusively on building a stable life here, good schools for girls, continued education, decent, stable services, etc. Now, after many years, I wonder…did I make the right decision or did I decide based on wrong information? Is it really a real phenomenon or were those just some isolated cases? So I thought I'd ask a question to see if there are similar cases around here (back in Romania, then go abroad again). Are there others who have similar questions/dilemmas? I'd love to hear your perspective. Thank you and I wish everyone…good decisions! ” – posted Mireille.
“I think about the corrupt system”
The post had over a hundred comments. Most of the group members advised her not to consider the experiences of others. Those who spoke against the return brought up the issue of the corrupt system.
“I also have the dilemma of returning to Romania, and I say the dilemma because I think about the corrupt system that keeps society in place. I plan to come back in three years, but if there are still corruptions in the autumn elections, I'll postpone because I don't see the point“, commented Andra.
Valentin replied that, in fact, all the world's politicians are corrupt or corruptible: “QIn Romania, the phenomenon of corruption is publicized, while in other countries it is not, giving the false impression that it does not exist in the USA, Canada and Western Europe! Wake up and take a good look around and stop taking 100% what the media says!”
Andra answered, showing that, indeed, corruption exists everywhere, but in Romania it affects you, as a citizen, and limits your position in society.
“In Romania there really is incompetence. There are still no highways in the whole country, what can we say about that? I mean it was a problem in the 2010s, but here we are in 2024 and the same situation exists. I saw roads called “European” where the shootings went on two lanes because there was no space. What else can we say about the fact that in Romania there are not really (not to generalize) construction contractors and foreign companies make fun of projects, see the last highway in the Bucharest area built by the Turks where it was given the go and only irregularities or are they projects started and left”the woman explained.
“Let's not talk about the shenanigans in Romania, and there you see all the incompetence gathered. With a lot of money you buy people. House arrest or 2-3 years in prison and release after half the time, and in many cases you simply don't hear anything from anyone. I have never heard of the timber barons or of an initiative to reforest Romania. Or is that normal too?”added Andra.
“The fact that I don't have motorway networks like in Germany doesn't affect me at all”
Then, she referred to the education system, emphasizing that there are many cases of conflicts between students and between students and teachers.
“There are faculties where teachers are misogynists without limits, there are teachers who abuse children without limits and the embarrassing thing is that they don't suffer anything! The kindergarten where the caretaker or what was the lady who abused the children. Well, that woman is free, she was just fired”she added.
Andra also discussed the very high inflation and the health care system. “Do you no longer buy stations with thousands of euros? The services would have been improved, but it is still corrupt”.
Valentin replied that even in the West “you are considered a foreigner, they smile to your face, but when they have the opportunity they hit you on the back, because let's face it, no one can stand immigrants in their countries! I have lived and seen a lot! I lived in Canada for 16 years and saw a lot of envy and malice from the locals, if you realize better than them! So if you like this way of life keep going! The fact that I don't have highway networks like in Germany doesn't affect me at all, I'm not a fan of asphalt and concrete, but rather wild nature, I'm a fan of quiet life, natural food, clean air and water! I have all of these now here in Romania and I didn't have them in the West! If your mind goes a little in Romania you get to live much better than in the West!“
“Romania offers thousands of opportunities”
Marius Stănculescu emphasized that there is a difference between the news on TV and the reality in Romania.
“I watch TV, I see only negative news, nothing works, mobsters in politics. Dozens of reasons to give up and blame the system”he detailed.
On the other hand, Marius claims that he is a high school teacher, was a driving instructor for 12 years, wrote books on traffic law and is doing well.
“All my friends have two properties, at least one car, many have motorbikes (this being an expensive hobby). Romania offers thousands of opportunities. I have former students, some have only vocational school, they are doing well, some are drivers, others are car mechanics, and others have their own businesses. All my former students (the ones I have kept in touch with) have salaries of at least 800 euros, plus they work privately. We live in the country, near the city, we have trees, vegetables, birds, we go on trips in the country and abroad. Good luck, all the best!“.
Magda lived abroad for many years, more precisely in Ireland, then in 2018, together with her husband, she returned to Romania.
“We didn't last more than 1 year and 3 months, we couldn't reintegrate. I worked for the company where I was already employed in remote Ireland 6 months after relocation (I had a contract with them for 6 months which was not renewed), then no one wanted to hire me in Romania except for little money, which which was a shock to me. I work in IT, my husband is a cabinet maker. He found services poorly paid at the time”the woman said.
“Money no longer helps us in any way. Does not matter anymore”
In September 2019, they moved back to Ireland, where they live decently on one salary. “Now we want to return to Romania for good. We can no longer live here morally, spiritually, humanly, etc. Money no longer helps us in any way. Does not matter anymore. We need a good, true life lived among discerning people who still know good and bad. I haven't known this here for a long time“, Magda also claimed.
The woman regrets not trying everything in 2019 before making the decision to move back to Ireland.
“In order to re-integrate, you have to take Romania as a package with good and less good. Be VERY realistic, don't look for things in Romania that don't exist, don't hope that things will change overnight and know very well what is the reason why you moved back to Romania and that reason will be the force that will support and help defeat. That in the end it's a fight with you and what you expect from moving to Romaniaa”, concluded Magda.
Roberta claimed that she also had this dilemma. “We returned to Romania, barely lasted 2 years and returned back to the USA (we are 21 years old in the USA). Honestly, it wasn't worth the effort, but at least we convinced ourselves“, said the woman.
“We outsiders are clearly used to 'civilization'”
Elena believes that Romania will never know how to receive its diaspora back.
“If we expect Romania to welcome us with open arms, well I for one don't think so….unfortunately, Romania is and will remain far behind many European states….we, those living outside, we are clearly used to “civilization”. Romania is a very beautiful country but… it's a pity that it is run only by thieves! That is precisely why we will never evolve”, A commented the woman.
Elena brings up the health system, which “it's dust… all Romanians learned only with tips. Any door you want to open, you have to have money, otherwise no one will look at you…that's the harsh reality….outdated concepts that will never change.”
“Do what you feel but….if you expect Romania to be at least half developed compared to now let's say 20 years you are wrong….the same Mărie with a different hat….too bad….Romania will not never know how to welcome their Diaspora back home…“, concluded Elena.
“If we give up ifose, we can see that life in Romania is not bad at all!”
Claudiu contradicts her, partially: “Yes, Romania has many thieves and incompetents at the helm, but despite this, it has evolved HUGELY in the last 20 years. And I'll say it again: HUGE. Let's be serious, only blind or malicious would someone not see the difference. My experiences with the healthcare system are totally different, very very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the act and the medical staff at an emergency service on two separate occasions recently. There is also the option of the private medical system which is of very good quality and incomparably cheaper than in the West.”
The man claims that things have changed in terms of string.
“I invite you to go and try to complain to the police, hospital, town hall, etc., in 80% of cases you will end up out the door, if not worse, in handcuffs. There are arrests upon arrests weekly for acts of corruption, spaga has really become a very dangerous sport. My opinion is that we, those from the diaspora, if we give up egos, superior attitudes and preconceived ideas, we can find that life in Romania is not bad at all and we can reintegrate without problems”is Claudiu's conclusion.
