The source of this maturity could be her upbringing in a religious family that spends every spare penny helping those less fortunate, and a country that has been free for only 50 of the last 500 years. “There’s an ‘old spirit’ in there,” explains Professor Fouts. “There’s something very ancient about the way she looks at things sometimes. I believe it comes from a love for humankind and a firm spiritual foundation.”

Professor Kuehne says Cristina Medrea is living out her faith. “She’s very good at serving quietly, doing acts of kindness and goodness all over the place.” This professor, minister, and New Hampshire Institute of Politics senior advisor, says, “she has become a hero to me, one of the most impressive people I have ever met.”

Although Medrea has established herself as part of the Saint Anselm community, she has not left her home country behind. After earning a master’s degree in Europe or the U.S., she expects to work in Romania in international relations or politics. Though she loves to travel— “as long as I have a plane ticket, I am happy”— she is very close to her family and passionate about her country.

“Romania was once called the barn of Europe because it was so rich in grain,” she says. She speaks of the beauty of the Carpathian Mountains and the Transylvanian Alps; the medieval architecture of Arad; the rich folk traditions; and hospitable, family-oriented people. Nicolae Ceausescu’s policies brought about severe food and power shortages that left the country in chaos. In the 14 years since his overthrow, a new constitution has been written and new leaders elected. It is an exciting time for Romania, Cristina says: it is soon to become part of NATO and the European Union. Her country will need translators and people with international living experiences. And she will be ready to help.

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