Category: Kirstin Skurka
UI Professor Says Branding Romania Starts from Within
Posted Thursday, June 04, 2009 by Kirstin Skurka
University of Illinois Advertising Professor Diana Mincyte says that branding a country is more than just Internet advertisements and marketing. Romanian people must first understand who they are as a country, and gain confidence as a nation in order to lure people to come visit.
Professor Mincyte says that is why Italy has been so successful at tourism. Italians are very proud of their land, and claim themselves as the best place to visit. They say they have the best food, the best culture, the some of the most historical sites in the world. That confidence draws people in. Professor Mincyte says branding a country has much to do with culture, and a culture that is proud of itself is the most successful kind.
UI Professor Discusses Branding Romania :
UI Professor Discusses Branding Romania
Some Romanians Feared Democracy, Professor Explains
Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 by Kirstin Skurka
It is taking a long time for Romania to become used to democratic freedom, says Romanian Professor Radu Rardevan. UI students met with the ancient history professor at the Babes-Bolyai University School of Journalism early Tuesday morning. Professor Rardevan compared Communism to the popular American book, 1984 by George Orwell.
Communism was developed post World War II from 1944-1948, and would stay in power until Nicolea Ceausescu was overthrown in 1989. Professor Rardevan gave students some of the details of life under Communist rule. Pregnancy was highly encouraged, and all forms of birth contraceptives were illegal. Ceausescu wanted infinite amounts of cheap labor and children were his answer. The government incentivised young couples to have children, with a small of amount of money. According to Professor Rardevan, Ceausescu’s goal was to devalue each person, and that meant a lack of freedom, a lack of goods and the government was able to hold power over everyday life. Orwell’s 1984 holds the same idea, with the government mandating no thought among its people. After the Romanian Revolution of 1989 and the execution of Ceausescu, democracy was eventually established. Life still remains difficult for many Romanians according to Professor Rardevan. Romanians now have to take responsibility for their every day lives, like finding work and food and taking care of themselves without the help of the government Democracy is not in Romanian’s tradition, and it will take time to rebuild the country and get use to democracy.
Castle Bran: The Legend of Dracula
Posted Monday, May 25, 2009 by Kirstin Skurka
He comes out most frequently at night and is often seen around Halloween in America. We are talking about Dracula, and his blood sucking eye teeth. Dracula was the invention of Irish novelist Bram Stoker, but he was based on the Romanian ruler Vlad Tepes who lived miles away in Transylvania. Tour guide Luiza Levarda separates fact from fiction at Castle Bran—the tourist site also known as Dracula’s Castle.
Romanian tour guide Luiza Levarda talks about Castle Bran:
Romanian tour guide Luiza Levarda talks about Castle Bran
Surprise! Guess what food this is
Posted Thursday, May 21, 2009 by Kirstin Skurka
Our first dinner in Romania was excellent. Most of us dined on ricotta filled mushrooms, stuffed chicken breast, salmon and pasta. Karis decided to be adventurous and try something very strange. Can you figure out what it is? She described the taste as being “excellent” but the texture “not so much”....
p.s. we were at an Italian restaurant
UI Alumnae Leads Romania’s Embassy
Posted Thursday, May 21, 2009 by Kirstin Skurka
UI journalism students visiting the U.S Embassy in Bucharest got a warm welcome and an Illini surprise! We met recently with different American officers who briefed us on some of Romania’s issues and later learned the Charge ‘d Affairs is a University of Illinois graduate.
After some much needed shut eye from a long journey overseas, we hit the ground running Thursday morning with a trip to the U.S Embassy in Bucharest. For over 2 hours, we met with different American officers who briefed us on some of Romania’s issues. We even discovered an Illinois grad, the Charge d’ Affairs of the Embassy. Ms. Jeri Guthrie-Corn is also the acting Ambassador for the United States, until a permanent replacement is found. See, you can’t get very far in this world without running into a successful Fighting Illini. Guthrie-Corn is shown in the center of the picture, wearing red.
We met with the cultural affairs officer, the political and economic adviser, and we received a security briefing from the Embassy. All in all, the visit was informative, interesting and much needed after entering a foreign land. Luke even discovered what he wants to do upon returning to the states: take the Foreign Services Exam. Perhaps one day Luke will be briefing journalism students at a U.S Embassy!
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