2ND MULTICURAL STORY

1.About your person: What's your name?

My name is Sevastita I., I'm 81 years old and I was born in Hungary.

2. Was there a moment in your life in which you were compared with other cultures?

During the war in Hungary, my parents died and I was sent to an orphanage in Romania.

In this orphanage, there were children coming from all countries: Romanians,

Hungarians, jews, greeks, and Bulgarians. We all lived together and spoke many different

languages. People who came to visit us spoke in Romanian and brought us chocolate or

other things to eat.

3. What was the most important experience?

When I was in the orphanage a Turkish woman married a man from Brasov come to

see if it was possible to take care of a baby. She adopted me, and when he saw that I was

Hungarian, she hired a Hungarian professor for 5 years, twice a week. Thanks to my

mother, now I can speak Romanian and Hungarian.

4. Which were the differences from the beginning of the multicultural experience

and now?

When I left Hungary, Hungary was a very civilized country with the streets and public

buildings, instead, Romania was still very underdeveloped. Now Romania has a big

parliament and beautiful monasteries. Now you live in Romans as well as in Hungary.

5. What is your advice for the people who have contact with other cultures?

I think it depends on the tastes of each person. In general, I think the best thing is to study

the history and geography of the country. When you know history and geography, you

have to start to visit the country as much as possible.

6. What is one of the funniest events of this multicultural experience?

The most fun experience for me was when I visited a city that I didn't know, Oradea.

On the day of our arrival in this city, there was a traditional Romanian festival. For me all was

new and unknown so it was really fun to participate.

Interview made by Valeria Colangelo EVS volunteer from Italy