<p>Here goes the thing - first of all, I'm a Romanian. And when it comes to higher education the best thing to do is to get out of this country and get out fast (unless, of course, you're preparing for the MCAT in University).
I reached that conclussion about two years before college. But where to go? I did not have an answer back then, but I knew one thing - NOT to America. Why? Because Americans are shallow and self-centered (there was the European in me speaking). Before you start hitting back at me, let me reassure that I think this stereotype is nothing more than that. More about that later. The UK and Germany came out as possible alternatives. Oxbridge is at least alluring after all - but guess what? close to no scholarships - so, goodbye Britannia. Germany had one of the best deals for foreign applicants - get admitted and the state pays for you, only that I did not know enough German to take their equivelent of the TOEFL. </p>
<p>So, I was forced to consider the only alternative remaning - the USA. Forced by circumstances I entered the whole process, telling myself that I'll come back to Europe as soon as I could. My image about America was still one of the coasts being involved in some endless rat-race and the rest of the country made up of Christian fundamentalists. If you did not actually live in the US and watched only CNN International and films from Hollywood, you would probably think the same way.</p>
<p>Then I tried to find out more about SATs and stuff. And then I landed on the marvelous site called CC. Of course, the first time I came over CC I was horrified, because my primary instinct was to go to the Chances? threads and of course I figured out I had close to no chance from there. I only had the guts to come back to CC after I had built my r</p>
<p>Bogororo,
Congratulations. I think you will make a fine addition to any school you decide to attend. Best of luck and thanks for sharing your story. Made my day.</p>
<p>Hurray to you for chasing the dream! I have a very dear Romanian friend, based in the East Village of Manhattan for thirty years. She is a talented photographer, architect--and still a quintessential European. So, don't worry about the stereotypes. You will meet them, but there is every other type of human too.</p>
<p>What fun lies ahead! You should start a blog about your cultural adjustment. Truly! You write so well...</p>
<p>Congratulations on getting into Amherst! In a few months, your adventure will begin. As Patient said, you should start a blog....it will be of immense interest to many people.</p>
<p>Loved your post. You deserve Amherst and it deserves you. We have a special affection for Romania here in our house, as my grandfather, whom I never knew, emigrated from there at the turn of the century. My S did his 3rd grade "country" paper on Rumania. We had the awfullest time finding info - the school librarian had set aside numerous grade-level-appropriate materials on France, England, Scotland..... but (big surprise) no Romania! then we found a wonderful website created by Romanian college students, covering all aspects of Romanian history and life. And a recipe for a wonderful apple tart with layered crusts! Was a big hit with the kids and teacher. Didn't hurt that S could tout Ilie Nastase and Nadia Comaneci, either.</p>
<p>A BIG congratulations on your acceptance to Amherst!!! Thanks so much for relating your experiences. You are gifted with an open mind and an open heart...things that will serve you beautifully in college and beyond. We wish you all the best as you begin your exciting college journey in the U.S.!! fondly, ~berurah</p>
<p>Well, I am a little late, but congratulations! Amherst is a wonderful school and you sound like you will make a great contribution to it! (Though I personally am sorry you don't want to go to MY favorite LAC, Bowdoin! You would LOVE it!). I hope you meet lots and lots of people who make you see what a wonderful and diverse country the USA is. We can all understand how the mass media would make you think we were all shallow and self-centered (and, as with anywhere else on earth, you will find people like that), and hope you meet plenty of people who show you the opposite! I expect you will be pleasantly surprised: America is truly the most diverse place on earth! I'll bet I speak for a lot of people when I say that I hope you keep posting, even if it is only occasionally to check in, after you arrive!</p>
<p>"America is truly the most diverse place on earth!"</p>
<p>There is no doubt in my mind about that...and also the most generous people on earth live here. Most people living somewhere else don't really get that. And you can't get it from the popular media running everywhere else FOX, CNN etc.</p>
<p>Bogororo, scratch a bit below the surface and folks are the same everywhere: good, bad and middling. I travel between my european home and the states usually twice a year. AT first, I focused on the differences. One day, I realized I was making a smooth transition from one place to the other. I was focusing on the similarities. Study hard, have fun, and just plain good for you!</p>