"I had nothing but pleasant surprises and met people with whom I resonated from the first moment, be they Romanian, Dutch or other nationalities."
Lucian Perț is a lawyer by profession and is part of the Foundation's Resources team. Until recently, Lucian contributed as a volunteer both in the Projects team, which developed the projects submitted in the 2017 funding session to the Ministry for Romanians Abroad, and in the Partnerships team, where he was in charge of drafting documents to facilitate the work of the new volunteers who joined the team.
What made you come to the Netherlands?
I came to the Netherlands thanks to my wife, Mădălina. Madalina visited the Netherlands 3-4 years ago. She told me that she felt a special connection with the places she visited.
When we were offered the chance to come to the Netherlands, we said it was an opportunity we didn't want to miss. Although we knew that professionally it would not be as easy for me as it was for Madalina, we decided to take this step and encouraged each other by saying that together we would overcome every obstacle.
At the same time, the decision to come to the Netherlands is a challenge for us, as it was not a goal we had carefully planned and pursued beforehand. But it is a challenge that will certainly enrich us spiritually and make us better.
Before you left Romania, did you feel informed about what to expect here? Did you have any pleasant surprises or the opposite?
I made the decision very easily and without much thought. We didn't give much thought to what we were going to encounter in the Netherlands, we just went with the flow. I think deep down we wanted a change, we wanted to experience and be active in an international and multicultural environment, but there were things that at the time we didn't express very much.
So far, I have had only pleasant surprises and met people with whom I resonated from the first moment, be they Romanian, Dutch or of other nationalities. And that's because I came to the Netherlands with a certain amount of openness, with a desire to learn and experiment, and without expectations or preconceived ideas.
How many years have you been here? Have you adapted well to the new culture? How did the process go and how long did it take? How long did it take you to feel at home?
I have been living in the Netherlands since January 2016.
Although I come from a small town in the south-west of Romania, where almost everyone knows everyone, I have never had problems adapting and integrating, when I had to leave my hometown to go to school, for example. During my university studies (2006 - 2010) I lived in Craiova and spent the next five years in the vibrant and tumultuous Bucharest.
I think I adapted easily in the Netherlands. This is mainly due to the fact that there is not such a (big) barrier in communication, which you may feel as a newcomer in a foreign country, due to not knowing the language of that country. The fact that in the Netherlands you can communicate in English in almost any situation was a great advantage for me, who had no knowledge of Dutch. The Dutch language courses offered by Interconnections Online School is a much-needed first step for those who want to integrate as well as possible into Dutch society.
In the process of adapting to the new culture, I believe that the desire to integrate into the community I belong to has also helped me. In addition to volunteering with the ROMPRO Foundation, I contribute to an international school in Amsterdam and to a Dutch association that defends the rights and supports people exploited through labour.
I felt at home from the moment I realised that there was a very strong compatibility between my values and principles and those adopted by most people living in the Netherlands, which include living in harmony with the environment, caring for others and embracing diversity and acceptance of others.
What has changed in your way of life since living here?
I would never have imagined that, coming to the Netherlands, I would be able to do more for Romanians than I did in Romania, but I am glad that, through all the volunteer activities I do, I manage to make a difference in the lives of Romanians living in the Netherlands.
How do you see the relationship with other Romanians and the preservation of the Romanian identity abroad?
There is an interdependent link between the relationship with other Romanians outside Romania and the preservation of Romanian identity. By connecting with other Romanians and developing a united community, we have the opportunity not only to preserve and manifest our national identity, but also to share our wonderful Romanian traditions and customs with others.
Why did you choose to get involved with the Foundation and what would you like to achieve?
I chose to get involved in the work of the Foundation because I liked from the beginning the environment and the beautiful people who came together under the same ideal, that "together we are better". As a newcomer in the Netherlands I was very happy to discover this beautiful Romanian family, which adopted me on the spot.
I like the vision, ideals and principles of the Foundation, with which I fully resonate. Regardless of the activities I will carry out within the Foundation, my greatest wish is that the Foundation's actions reach as many Romanians as possible in the Netherlands. I also want the Foundation to be a real support for Romanians, a voice and an institutional presence of a strong and united Romanian community.
What do you like to do? What profession have you chosen and why?
I have always been guided by the spirit of fairness, justice and respect for nature and living beings. That's why I believe I made a natural choice to study at law school.
I like to help others, no matter what it is or what the help is, whether it's helping a colleague at work, offering advice, information, a smile, etc. If what I do adds value to someone's life, that's good enough for me. Working with and for people brings me great satisfaction.
What are your plans for the future and how will you put them into practice?
On a professional level, my main goal for the next period is a Master's degree that I want to pursue and that will give me access to the Dutch job market.
In terms of volunteering, things are already starting to take shape and this gives me the energy and enthusiasm I need to continue the work I have started. Collaborations with other people and organisations are the next goal. That way, the actions we each carry out will have a greater impact and reach more beneficiaries.
Your motto or a quote that motivates you.
Be the change you want to see in the world." - "Mahatma Gandhi"
Just as every dream starts with a dreamer, every change starts with and from us.
