Journey to Romania: New Beginnings with My Furry Companions and a Fulbright Adventure
Last week marked the beginning of a significant chapter in my life: I embarked on my long-awaited journey to Romania to begin my research as a Fulbright grantee. Though the official start date of my program is not until October 1, I arrived earlier to move into my new home and, most importantly, to bring my two beloved cats along with me. As a devoted cat mom, I could not bear to leave them behind, so Pitzi and Chip accompanied me to Romania—though not without some logistical challenges.
Airlines have strict rules regarding traveling with pets. Only one pet per passenger is allowed in the cabin, and family does not travel in cargo! This meant I had to take two separate trips from Los Angeles to Cluj-Napoca—one with Pitzi and the second with Chip. Despite the complexity of planning two transcontinental flights, I was determined to make sure my furry companions stayed together.
Getting all the necessary paperwork in order was quite the task. Traveling with pets internationally requires meticulous preparation, and navigating the requirements of the European Union was no small feat. But after plenty of phone calls, appointments, and paperwork, Pitzi and I finally boarded our first flight on August 30. Our itinerary was long: Los Angeles to Chicago, then Chicago to Munich, and finally Munich to Cluj-Napoca. This was Pitzi’s first time flying, and the whole experience was overwhelming for her.
At first, Pitzi was understandably nervous. The bustling noises of the airport and the unfamiliar surroundings were frightening, especially during the TSA checkpoint. She had to come out of her travel crate for inspection, which was not her favorite part of the journey. However, once we boarded the plane, she began to settle in. On our first flight to Chicago, Pitzi calmed down and started to relax a bit. I think the hum of the airplane engines helped soothe her.
Unfortunately, our trip hit a snag when our Chicago to Munich flight was delayed by more than two hours, causing us to miss our connection to Cluj. After a moment of mild panic, I rebooked us on the next available flight, though it meant a three-hour delay. Finally, after an exhausting 24 hours of travel, we arrived in Cluj-Napoca at around 6 p.m. on August 31.
Our new home awaited us, but Pitzi was not quite ready to embrace her new surroundings. Like any sensitive kitty, she spent the first few days hiding in a corner, unwilling to eat or drink. It broke my heart to see her so stressed, but I knew she just needed time to adjust. Unfortunately, I could not stay with her for long—I had to head back to Los Angeles to pick up Chip. I left Pitzi in the capable hands of my parents, who patiently coaxed her into drinking water while I made my way back to the States.
On September 2, I was back in Los Angeles, and two days later, Chip and I were ready to make our journey to Romania. Our route was more straightforward: Los Angeles to Munich, then Munich to Cluj-Napoca. Thankfully, there were no delays this time, and we made our connection seamlessly. Chip, being a seasoned traveler, handled the trip like a pro. She had flown to Romania in 2012, so this was not her first experience with long-haul flights. Her calm demeanor allowed her to sit on my lap for most of the flight to Munich, making the journey much more comfortable for both of us.
On September 5, we touched down in Cluj-Napoca at 6 p.m. Once we arrived, the long-awaited reunion with Pitzi was finally here. It was a heartwarming moment to see the two of them together again. They shared the bed with me that first night, enjoying some water and snacks for everyone after an eventful few days. Seeing them reunited and relaxed made all the challenges of the trip worthwhile.
As we all settle into our new apartment, I am excited to begin our new life in Romania as a Fulbright grantee. There is still much to do before the official program starts, but for now, I am focused on getting the kitties comfortable in their new environment.
The next big milestone for me is traveling to Bucharest for Fulbright orientation. I look forward to this part of the journey—meeting my fellow Fulbright grantees and learning more about the upcoming academic year. This is a unique opportunity, and I cannot wait to dive into the research and collaborate with other scholars. Romania already feels like a place full of possibilities, and I am eager to explore all it offers.
As I prepare for this next step, I am grateful for the support of my family and friends, who have helped make this transition possible. It has been quite the adventure, but I know the journey has only begun. Here is to new beginnings, exciting research, and life with Pitzi and Chip by my side.