Group of 200 students from Gagauz Autonomy, Taraclia district to attend summer camp in Romania to enhance Romanian language skills

A number of 200 students from non-Romanian speaking educational institutions from the Autonomous Territorial Unit (UTA) of Gagauzia and Taraclia district, accompanied by 20 teachers, will benefit from intensive Romanian language courses, interactive communication activities and guided tours within a Romanian language summer camp, which will be organized in Iasi, Romania.

The students are from 9th to 12th grades and will be in Romania during August 18-29, where they will participate in a programme organized at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi.

The programme will include theoretical and practical training focused on developing verbal and written expression skills, teamwork, conversation with peers from Romanian educational institutions and meetings with renowned teachers in the Romanian language teaching field. The cultural component of the programme will include guided tours to museums, historical and spiritual Romanian objects in Iasi.

“Today is truly a historic day, as we mark the opening of the first edition of the Romanian language summer camp for 200 students from the Taraclia district and UTA Gagauzia. These students will be accompanied by 20 teachers who will also benefit from Romanian language improvement courses. Knowing the Romanian language opens doors to education, a career and better integration into society,” said Ivan Duminică, head of the Department of Interethnic Relations Policies at the Ministry of Education and Research.

The project is implemented thanks to a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova, the Ministry of Education and Research of Romania, the Romanian Embassy in Chisinau and the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi.

Before the event, 50 of the students had the opportunity to talk with representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research of Moldova (MEC) and the Romanian Embassy in Chișinău. The participants were also greeted by Ovidiu Viorel Năftănăilă, First Secretary at the Romanian Embassy in Moldova.

“The Romanian language is the official language of the European Union. The ability to communicate in a language other than the one you speak at home or in school offers you a tremendous opportunity. (...) I encourage you to explore this opportunity to participate in the summer camp and make the most of it. We look forward to your feedback after this beautiful experience,” said Ovidiu Viorel Năftănăilă.

Valentina Olaru, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research, said that this camp was not only an opportunity to learn the Romanian language, but also a chance to better understand our culture, the values that unite us, and the people who inspire us.

“Dear students, this camp is an investment in you, in the confidence to communicate freely and correctly and in the power to build bridges between people and communities. Take advantage of each lesson, each conversation, each friendship you will make in these days, as it will bring you added value. I am convinced that the experience from Iasi will remain in your memory as a bright moment and once creating skills development. We count on the continuation and expansion of this programme next year and we want to turn it into a tradition,” said Valentina Olaru.

Among the students going to Romania is Vilena Sarsaman, a 12th-grade student at Olympii Panov Theoretical Lyceum from Taraclia.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to participate in this linguistic practice. It is not only a possibility to deepen our knowledge or prepare for the state exam, but it is a unique chance, an opportunity to overcome language barriers, to develop communication skills, and to better understand the culture and traditions that unite us,” said Vilena Sarsaman.

More teachers from Moldova have earlier participated in courses of enhancement of Romanian language knowledge, held in Romania.