I ask myself this sometimes. I’ve been told I look Moldovan, so as long as I don’t open my mouth and butcher the Romanian language, I can blend in. And I think I’ve caught on to little things habits to avoid. For example, do not nod at people to recognize them. It is seen as looking someone up and down. Also, don’t smile too much or greet complete strangers too often. This is seen as flirtation, and flirtation is seen as having meaning behind it.
At the beginning of school last year, I was consistently mistaken as a student. I think it’s partially because I was carrying around a huge backpack to hold all my things. I didn’t have my own classroom, and although I did have a shelf in one of my partner teacher’s room, it didn’t hold much. So I had to carry most of my stuff back and forth to school. Luckily this year, there’s a classroom to keep my stuff, so I can carry a more reasonably sized bag.
At this point it’s hard to know if I’m integrated. But it’s noticeable how often I’m recognized on the streets, and sometimes by people I don’t know. It’s kind of nice because I feel connected with the people and the community.
At the beginning of school last year, I was consistently mistaken as a student. I think it’s partially because I was carrying around a huge backpack to hold all my things. I didn’t have my own classroom, and although I did have a shelf in one of my partner teacher’s room, it didn’t hold much. So I had to carry most of my stuff back and forth to school. Luckily this year, there’s a classroom to keep my stuff, so I can carry a more reasonably sized bag.
At this point it’s hard to know if I’m integrated. But it’s noticeable how often I’m recognized on the streets, and sometimes by people I don’t know. It’s kind of nice because I feel connected with the people and the community.
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