Perceptions of Immigration in Romania: A Personal Insight
As a native of Romania, my experiences with immigration and the integration of foreigners into my country are quite unique. Romania, like many other European nations, has seen significant changes in its demographics over the past few decades due to emigration and immigration.
Emigration started in Bucharest soon after 1990, and as these individuals had children, these young adults grew up to be Romanians. I have been in direct contact with at least 10 people who became Romanians through emigration. They are all well-educated, and my relationship with them is excellent. We often discuss topics such as politics or football. Interestingly, some of my best friends’ parents were born in Syria, South Korea, Israel, or Croatia. Despite this diversity, I have never noticed any hostility between Romanians and these young people. My personal experience, however, was somewhat limited, as I grew up in a rather small, backwater area of Romania, where immigrants were virtually unheard of.
Immigration Trends and Regional Differences
My father and many others in my community worked as truck drivers, but their wages were lowered due to competition from Moldovan workers willing to work for less pay. This created a challenging situation, leading my father to switch careers. Many others in the community experienced similar situations, yet nearly everyone had at least one relative working abroad, facing the same complaints from locals in their adopted countries.
A particularly memorable story from my childhood involves a man from our village who worked in France in the early 1990s and married a Jamaican woman. This was quite remarkable, as most people in our area had never seen a black person before. The older women in our village were frightened by the girl’s appearance and would cross themselves whenever they saw her. In contrast, a physician originally from Jordan who arrived as an international student during the communist period quickly gained respect in the community. He was highly respected and never received any negative comments, even though he easily could have passed for a typical European.
Perspectives on Modern Immigrants
Today, the presence of immigrants has become more noticeable, especially in the larger cities of Western Transylvania. The majority of these immigrants are South Asian, including Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, and Nepalis. There is a smaller number from East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. These immigrants are, unfortunately, not well-integrated, but this is not a major concern as most work as guest workers in jobs that require little to no specialized skills. Even when they could reside permanently, many opt to move to Western Europe after accumulating sufficient funds here, treating Romania as a temporary stop.
Conversely, there is a small but growing community of Western immigrants arriving in Romania. They typically either married a Romanian in their home country or are here on business for a multinational company. I have become used to them, and the main issue people seem to have is the language barrier. It can get frustrating when the man delivering your food or driving your taxi doesn’t make an effort to learn Romanian. However, overall, these immigrants are accepted here. Navigating the challenges of language and culture, these foreign workers contribute to the growth and development of Romanian cities.
Conclusion
While the experiences and perceptions of immigration in Romania can be complex, my personal encounters suggest that there is a degree of acceptance and integration, especially in urban areas. As Romania continues to evolve, it is important to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, embracing the diversity that immigration brings.