{Info-Prim Neo feature from the series “Independent for 21 years. New Moldovans coming?!” with Diana Coialnic, a young Moldovan lady, who had always dreamed to study at one of the world’s top universities. Her dream came true, and now she hopes that she will be to apply her knowledge in her native country. ORIGINALLY published on 15 August 2012} Diana Coialnic belongs to a category of people who don’t simply split things into black and white. She likes to discover beautiful things, both in Great Britain and in Moldova. Great Britain is the place that offers her the chance to fulfill her childhood dream, i.e. to study at one the world’s top universities. Whereas Moldova is her Motherland, with dear people and places, as Diana says, since she misses them when in Great Britain, and they make her visit home as often as possible. “I was eagerly waiting for my departure to Great Britain. Dreamy and naïve as I used to be, I was thinking that it would be like in a fairy tale there, but the reality had proven to be much harsher. Nobody waited for me with their arms open. I was supposed to be met at the airport by the university’s representatives, but, due to some misunderstanding, perhaps, no one was at the airport! This was my first encounter with reality. I had only turned 19; I had a luggage bag bigger than myself, and didn’t know where to go. Nevertheless, I managed, and it served me as a life lesson”, says Diana Coialnic. Moldovans should learn from the English, to have a positive attitude, first and foremost, towards themselves, says the young Moldovan girl; they should reach inner peace, be more respectful towards their kin, and invest in education more. “It would be good for some to change their lives’ values and priorities. They should invest in their children’s education, instead of giving them material goods. Without doubt, we must take inspiration from Europeans; we must love our country, our language, identity and traditions more. Without a past there is no future”, says the Moldovan girl who studies in Great Britain. When asked what she notices first when coming home, Diana Coialnic pointed out that, from the moment of boarding towards Chisinau, her attention is drawn by people who look stiff, sad, and with empty looks. “My only explanation for this “phenomenon” is that our people are overwhelmed by their daily concerns. This situation makes me sad, especially now, when I see that it is possible to live differently, Great Britain being the most convincing example for me”, the girl said. Diana Coialnic says that she is a realistic person, and that she understands that changes within a state cannot happen over a short period of time. “Great Britain has obtained its independence much earlier than Moldova, which is a young state. I really wish that people from my age group, and the following generations, involved in our country’s growth more. Moldovans have a habit that bothers me, i.e. to victimize their selves. I wish people were more optimistic and had the desire to change something in their lives. We have all the chances we need to become a prosperous people”, says the girl. Diana says that the foreign press writes very little about Moldova, but it still writes something; and she is glad when it is good news. According to her, from the foreign press she found out about a boy from Moldova, whose name is Grig Cuciuc, and who studies music at one of the most prestigious schools in the world, i.e. graduated Whitgift and is currently a student at the Royal College of Music in London. She says that he is the first Moldovan to study at these institutions. “Everyone knows that the education in Great Britain is considered to be one of the best in the world, and this is the reason why I had chosen to study there. The British educational system is better, because those youth who plan to enroll in a university in the near future, have the chance to specialize in the desired field as soon as high-school”, communicated Diana Coialnic. For example, she says, in the 11th and 12th grades (A-levels in GB), they can choose subjects like economics, marketing, politics, thus when the moment to take a final decision comes, it is much easier for them to choose what major they want to apply for. This implies doing what you like for 3-4 years, after which you become an enthusiastic specialist, and, eventually, part of an intelligent society. “In British universities, most of the courses are taught by professors from all over the world, with many years of experience. Some of the still work in the field they teach, thus knowing the best way to explain us how things are in real life. Professors treat students with respect, regardless of the country they come from, having a positive, honest attitude, as between equals. We are not being pampered at all and, to be honest, it was rather hard for me to get used to it, since it is different from what I had back home, where professors always kept reminding us of what we had to do”, she said. As for the students, she mentioned that they are different, just as anywhere else. Some study hard, others just want a passing grade, but when graduates look for a job, employers know who studied and who hasn’t. “Hence, you understand in favor of whom are the positions and if it is worth studying or not. I have noticed that Moldovans who study in Great Britain are very hard working, and are different from the English, because they are much more resourceful and catch on faster. Living among foreigners, Moldovan students show maturity and rational thinking. Of course, it is complicated at first, in terms of the cultural barrier, foreign environment, I mean. However, once you get a grasp of things, everything becomes simpler”, Diana mentioned. She goes back to school in September, and will study in her senior year at the Manchester University, majoring in Economics and Business. After graduation, she plans on staying in Great Britain for a few more years, in order to get a Master’s degree and work to accumulate experience. “However, afterwards I would like to return to Moldova and implement all the knowledge accumulated. Our country almost completely lacks the middle social layer. The contrast in Moldovans’ living conditions is startling, over 70% of the population being poor people, 2-3% upper classmen, and only 15% are the middle class, which is too little. Normally, the middle class should be the most populated one”, claims Diana Coialnic. Graduates in Great Britain are forced to search for jobs on their own, the girl says, the university does not help them in any way, but many companies offer short-term work contracts, i.e. for 1-2 years. “If they prove their worth, are responsible and cope with their employers demands, the contract may be extended. Such contracts are very hard to get, both for English citizens and for foreigners, especially in a time of economic crisis”, the student specified. Foreigners have lesser chances to get a prestigious job; however, if they show potential, they may be hired. “Employment requirements are rather tough. Firstly, you must have a cumulative grade upon graduation of at least 60%, which is a between 8 and 9 in Moldova. Work experience is a plus, as well as volunteer work and extracurricular activities. Foreign language proficiency is also a plus for the graduates. Every employer knows that the contribution of every good employee is a direct influence on the company’s profit”, communicated Diana Coialnic. As for Independence Day, August 27, Diana Coialnic stated that on the eve of the holiday she wishes her country the best, and truly wants Moldova to become a real European state. “Future perspectives are quite good, and I believe every citizen has the duty to personally contribute to our country’s growth, not only rely on the politicians’ decisions. For me that would mean for every citizen to contribute with what he/she does best, a good mason, scholar, street cleaner, or musician. It is important that everyone is an active and responsible member of the society”, the girl said. According to Diana Coialnic, in the current situation, the most appropriate motto for the Moldovan society would be: “Don’t ask what the country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country”. [Mariana Galben, Info-Prim Neo ] ****** The first time the Info-Prim Neo Press Agency used the sentence “New Moldovans coming” was in the summer of 2010, also at the anniversary of Independence. It seemed appropriate to us, to attribute this description to a category of people whom Moldova can lay its future hopes upon. The Info-Prim Neo team believes that Moldova has changes for adequate development only in the case when the society will accumulate a critical mass of new people. We did not refer strictly to young people, and strictly to ethnical Moldovans. “New Moldovans” are all the people who adopt new visions and experiences, new will and mentality; all those who care about themselves, their family, and their country. It is true that the Agency found it necessary to end the sentence “New Moldovans coming” in an exclamation mark (!), as a symbol of hope, and an interrogation mark (?), in order not to scare our luck away. [Info-Prim Neo]