Interview with our local trainee Andreea Magdalena Niţă

Andreea Magdalena Niţă has been working at the Embassy of Finland in Romania since the beginning of September 2013. The intension was to have her here for four months, but since both parties agreed, her internship was extended by one month. Embassy´s staff has been very pleased with Andreea´s work and will miss her when she leaves. But let´s give possibility for Andreea to say few words.

1.    Tell me about your background

I graduated from the Political Science Department of the University of Bucharest, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in political science and a Master’s Degree in political theory. Currently, I am studying at the Doctoral School of Political Science, also within the University of Bucharest, doing research for my thesis.

Regarding my professional activities, between 2012 and 2013, I worked as a project coordinator at the Romanian Cultural Institute. Furthermore, I have been voluntarily involved in organizing various cultural events and I am also a freelance editor and translator.

2.    What are your future plans?

When I think about my future, I try to follow Abraham Lincoln’s words: “Whatever you are, be a good one”. I’m not necessarily the type of person who plans her life. I usually talk about “goals” not “plans”. I try to keep myself active and willing to achieve as much knowledge and experience as I can. I do have a strong feeling of what I want to become, but, at the same time, I am very much aware of the fact that every success must be preceded by hard work and a solid background. 

So, to answer the question, my major goals for the near future are to finish my PhD thesis and improve my Finnish language skills. I would also like to apply for a post-doctoral scholarship. Working for the Foreign Service, especially in the field of cultural diplomacy, is a possible option for the future.

3.    How did you find working at the Embassy? Has it been like you expected?

I knew from the very beginning that working at the Embassy would be a challenge. Well, the challenge was even greater than I expected and I truly hope that I did rise up to the high expectations of the Embassy’s staff. It has been a very productive and qualitative experience, as all my colleagues are very well trained professionals and I have learned a lot from each of them. To be very honest, I expected this experience to be a very significant step for my professional training, but it proved to be much more than that.

4.    What kind of tasks did you have?

My tasks included doing research and writing reports on Romanian and international politics, social and economic matters, etc., doing translations and writing articles to be published on the Embassy’s website. I also participated in meetings and conferences and had the chance to meet very nice people.

Besides the typical tasks for an Embassy intern, I had the opportunity to be involved in organizing Finland’s participation at the Gaudeamus International Book Fair, which was one of the most significant experiences of last year for me. For Gaudeamus I created promotional materials, kept in touch with Romanian publishing houses and I was present every day of the fair at the Nordic Countries stand, where I represented Finland together with my colleagues.

Furthermore, I had the chance to contribute to bringing Signmark - the first rap musician with hearing disabilities - to Bucharest for the conference he held on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

5.   Do you find the experience useful in the future? Why?

In my view, one of the most important aspects of a working experience is to be part of a team where you can develop and learn things, which will be useful for a lifetime. And working in the Finnish Embassy is definitely that type of experience and I can only thank my colleagues for the extremely useful advice and feedback they offered me.

6.  Anything else you would like to add?

There is nothing I would like to add, but I would really like to thank the entire staff of the Embassy of Finland for offering me this very much desired opportunity and also for treating me like a friend, not just like a simple colleague.