15/02/2026
My name is Aoto Saito, and I am from Tochigi, Japan. I came to the Romanian American University from Nagaoka University of Technology, alongside seven students from our university who participated in this program.
In the future, I would like to have a job that connects people. In Romania, I experienced that even if people speak different languages, they can connect through hobbies and food. I saw how new communities were created naturally, and this experience made me want to work in a place where people can meet and build new relationships.
This was my first time going abroad, so I felt very nervous at first. However, people in Bucharest were friendly everywhere I went. Many people asked me, “How do you say ‘thank you’ in Japanese?” I realized that Romanian people like Japan more than I expected. When I told them I was Japanese, many people praised Japanese culture such as sushi and manga. Some people also said, “I want to visit Japan someday.” Even though we speak different languages and live far from each other, I felt that our cultures connect us.
My hobby is communication. In Japan, I have met and talked with many people, and in Romania I also made many international friends beyond language differences. I think I spent the most time at the entrance of the dormitory at the Romanian-American University, talking and spending time with friends.
I decided to apply for an internship in Romania because I wanted to leave Japan and learn in a new environment. My best memory in Bucharest was Comic Con. Many people who love Japanese anime and manga gathered there and expressed what they like freely, and I was very impressed.
My favorite food was mici. My favorite Romanian expression is “La mulți ani,” which is used to celebrate special moments. I said it many times during the New Year.
I really like manga, and I read Weekly Shonen Jump every week. My favorite titles are My Hero Academia and One Piece.
Our program lasts for six months, but I hope to visit Romania again someday. I would like to see the country’s development and feel the connection between Romania and Japan once more. My life in Bucharest was truly amazing and unforgettable.
Mulțumesc!!!