Inspiring stories

Liliana Botnariuc

”I Will Become a Detective, Anyway, Only in Journalism”

She is one of the graduates who were convinced they would never do journalism before they came to the SAJ. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a secret agent or working in a crime laboratory: that desire was inspired by the movies she was watching at that age and by her great passion for chemistry and biology.  Not all dreams, however, come true; after she passed her bachelor degree examinations, she applied to the Faculty of International Relations and Political and Administrative Sciences at Moldova State University.

Adriana Vlas

”I’m proud of my first job and I like what I’m doing”

She was fascinated by history, politics and economy, so right from her childhood she was dreaming of a successful career in these areas. She knew she needed quality education to be the best in her profession, and she chose to study abroad. In 2013 she entered the University of Exeter in the UK, where she studied for three years economy, politics, and other sciences.

Maria Arama

”The SAJ was a challenge, but also a chance to get a new profession”

She studied at the department of Foreign Languages and Literature of the “Alecu Russo” State University in Balti city, but she got to work at an important security institution in Moldova. Today she is part of the Communication and Relations with the Media Department of the Ministry of Defense. She even has a military degree – she is a Major…  She started flirting with the media immediately after graduation, when she got the job of translator-editor at an independent media outlet, the DECA-press Agency in Balti city. It was then that she felt the desire to do journalism. She hoped someday to become a successful reporter and to study in this field.

Vasile Gancev

”It is not at all a traditional school”

The story of our today’s protagonist is just as peculiar as the stories of other graduates of the School of Advanced Journalism. The desire to become a reporter began to “eat” him back when he was getting ready for his final high-school exams. Although at that moment he didn’t know very well what this job means, he says he was fascinated a lot by the journalists who did standups, reporting on the important events of the day. He was convinced that one day he would also get to inform the public. That is why he decided to embrace this profession, which “harmoniously combines reading and writing.”

Natalia Dabija

”The School of Advanced Journalism – my gate to freedom”

Numbers and sciences were her passion, so she naturally started with economics. She studied Economy and Business Administration at the “Al. I. Cuza” University in Iasi, and then got her master’s degree in Regional Development at the Center for European Studies in the same city, the historic capital of Moldova. For the following two years, she worked at a bank in Chisinau. And then, at one point, she gave everything up ... and decided to become a journalist. We are speaking about a graduate of 2009-2010 class, Natalia Dabija, coordinator of a Television School in Chisinau.

Natalia Sergheev

”I don't regret that I chose the SAJ instead of a master's degree in journalism. And here's why ...”

She is one of the graduates who came to the SAJ knowing exactly what her future should look like. It was happening in the spring of 2013, when, after she took her license degree in journalism, she felt the need for practical training, very necessary for a beginner journalist. Between a master’s degree and courses at the School of Advanced Journalism she chose the latter. She submitted the application, and in September 2013 she became one of the students of the eighth SAJ graduating class.

Mariana Balaban

”At SAJ I learned from the best professionals in the industry, I met brilliant colleagues, and I had memorable experiences”

I decided to get into the School because although I worked in television, my background was in law and not in journalism. Since what I did in television was rather intuitive, I wanted to gain knowledge and eventually develop my career in this industry.

Lilia Carauş

”SAJ gave me everything – the most professional trainers, the best practices, and especially a job”

The School of Advanced Journalism came at the right time. After three years of study in an area that I felt wasn’t mine, in the summer of 2012 chance made me come across an announcement in Facebook about the School of Advanced Journalism enrolling new students. Unlike other people, I have never before heard of SAJ, but intuition told me that it was exactly what I needed. I registered for SAJ nearly at the last minute, and at the interview I honestly … made no impression.

Diana Răilean

”At the CSAJ I learnt how to do proper journalism, so that nobody ever could blame me for being unfair”

She is in love with radio. She graduated in journalism and already during her studies she began practicing this craft at the investigation weekly Ziarul de Garda. In 2010 she was awarded the “Apple” as the best radio journalist. Lately she became a radio journalism trainer, teaching those who want to learn this profession. We refer to Diana Răilean, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reporter and graduate of the Chisinau School of Advanced Journalism (CSAJ).

Corina Morozan

”I can say it with certainty: the School of Advanced Journalism discovered me and propelled me into the world”

I don't know about you, but once I saw the announcement about enrollment to the School of Advanced Journalism, I would wake up and go to bed thinking about applying to it. Maybe they accept me, who knows? The light bulb was shining.

Tamara Grejdeanu

”The School of Advanced Journalism opens doors, you only need to knock”

I am writing this while thinking about the most inspired decisions in my life. I guess they were more than one, but there was one that changed me at heart. It is like some fabric got into the hands of a skillful tailor. It was year 2011, and I was in the graduate year at the State University, specialized in journalism and communication sciences. I was no longer excited as I was on the day when I applied for university, and I understood that after three years of study I didn’t grow enough. I still lacked self-confidence and was too shy. The thought that I was about to need to look for a job was scaring me. “But what can I do?” I wondered. I was never absent from classes, I was curious, I always had good grades, but still, after three years of university I didn’t have a definite answer.

Olga Tiganescu

”School ended, but the daily routine remained: I read news every morning and seek information from several sources to find the truth”

I’ve read some graduates’ impressions about how they accidentally or not accidentally got into the School of Advanced Journalism. I am one of those people who from their first year at the university wanted to study here. Why? Because I heard lots of good things about this school, and I felt that if I got there, I’d have the possibility to be part of what they call Professionalism, Quality, Image.

Xenia Siminciuc

”The School of Advanced Journalism Offers Equal Opportunities for All”

She enjoys music and sport, and since childhood she dreamed of becoming a journalist, so, just four years old, she would improvise TV interviews and reports in front of a mirror… But the road to her dream was rather long. Thus, before she came to the School of Advanced Journalism, she got two graduate degrees (in foreign languages at the “Ion Creanga” State Pedagogical University, and in economy and management at the Academy of Public Administration), and worked as a translator at the Association of the Blind of Moldova. However, her thought of journalism kept following her. We are talking about Xenia Siminciuc, graduate of 2008-2009 class, communications officer at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Mihai Avasiloaie

”I could write a story about the SAJ teachers...”

He always knew he would do journalism. But still, initially he studied law. He says he never regretted this choice, because all the knowledge he got over the years helps him today in journalistic work, which he succeeds in. First, however, was the School of Advanced Journalism, which he entered in the spring of 2013, becoming one of the 15 students of the eighth class of graduates. After the School, he worked as a reporter for PRO TV Chisinau and then as an editor of www.protv.md. Now he is a political analyst for the Agora.md news portal, and in early July he has become the host of the “OffSide” show – a new online media project launched by the Agora team. We are talking about our graduate Mihai Avasiloaie.

Diana Lungu

”The lessons learned at the SAJ helped us be good in our job”

Words have always been her best friends, while books and writing were her best therapy in any situation and even a lifestyle. At school she liked writing essays, literary revues and reading more than she had to for classes. She began flirting with media since she was in lyceum, publishing articles in the local newspaper "Gazeta de Vest" in Nisporeni. Of course, years later she smiles at those articles which, in her opinion, were way too far from a journalistic material. However, she says that at that time she did not know the rules of journalism, so she wrote as she felt... We are talking about Diana Lungu, SAJ graduate of 2007-2008, communications coordinator of the Association of Independent Press (AIP).

Veronica Marin

”The School of Advanced Journalism taught me that dreams can come true and one should never say ”Never!”

I was 28, had a degree in journalism, a family, a small kid and a job. I was working at a security company, but I felt I should be doing something else. I needed a change. At that moment, a good colleague and friend of mine asked me why I would not apply to the School of Advanced Journalism. 'What? Quit the job and go to school? Me? At 28? Never!', was my answer. Still, I would think about it every day. 'What if I try? What if I start it all over?' Well, said and done. Once the decision was taken, I prepared the application file in one day. On 1 September 2011 I became a student of the School of Advanced Journalism.

Diana Laptedulce

”At a moment that was to determine my life and personality, I only made the right choice”

What I’m writing now transposes me into a state that I can’t realize with my entire being yet. I’m at work, the producer is waiting for a new report, and I let myself carried away by memories.

Anastasia Nani

”The Chisinau School of Advanced Journalism (CSAJ) taught me to do my job properly. After graduation, when I write, I think: What will my CSAJ trainers say about this article?”

Interview with Anastasia Nani, reporter for the newspaper Adevărul, Moldova.

Cristian Jardan

”When I came to Chisinau School of Advanced Journalism I was a kind of tabula rasa in journalism and I can claim that I am a hundred percent product of this School”

He was enrolled to the Chisinau School of Advanced Journalism (CSAJ) in 2007 and continued working hard as a reporter at Pro TV Chisinau. TV and online journalism is what he likes doing. For the moment he took a break in reporting and is engaged with coordination and production activity. He claims that future is something that cannot be foreseen and doesn’t exclude the possibility of returning into the “reporters’ team”. He love football, he played it for some time, but now it is only a hobby. All this is about Cristian Jardan, online content coordinator of Mediaproduction.

Dorina Gherganov

”Pentru mine, Şcoala de Studii Avansate în Jurnalism este o instituţie care transmite respectiva meserie de la jurnaliştii consacraţi spre generaţiile tinere care îşi doresc o carieră în acest domeniu”

She came to the Chisinau School of Advanced Journalism because of her passion for TV. She wasn’t frightened by the fact that she had two small children at home. She tried combining both things – journalism and family, and, according to her, she managed that. Journalism means a lot of work, but also, “a bit of luck”. She began upon running with a microphone in her hands and came at presenting the most important newscast at the public TV station. She believes that reporting is the basic of journalism, whereas the team and contacts are essential elements in this craft. The events of April 2009 played a key role in her desire to become a journalist. We refer to Dorina Gherganov, newscaster of “Mesager”, TV Moldova 1.

Olga Bulat

”At the School of Advanced Journalism, I learned that I must be always with eyes open wide and my ears pricked.”

The School of Advanced Journalism is a challenging experience. It teaches you new things, but also gives room for discovering yourself, making new friends who believe in you more than yourself and who also may penalize you for your mistakes, because journalism is not just about commending, but also about a bit of admonishing.

Cristina Zavatin

”Seven years after graduation, I can say that this experience changed my career path, and I don’t regret it one bit”

After lessons of archeology, anthropology, and history of civilizations came ... news, leads, reports, betas, and soundbites. At least, that happened to me, when after graduating with a degree in history and philosophy I decided to continue my studies at the School of Advanced Journalism.

Diana Stefirta

”The SAJ is the place where you learn all about journalism in a very short time”

BBC, CNN, Reuters, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Infotag, Europa Liberă, Ziarul de Gardă are just some of the websites that I read every morning when I get to the office. It is a custom and a task that I adopted from the very first days at the School of Advanced Journalism and have kept to these days.

Iurii Botnarenco

”Thanks to the SAJ, journalism has been a stroke of luck”

In 2009, he graduated Moldova State University with a license degree in International Relations and went in search of the American dream. Five years later he came back home and, since he was looking for a new beginning, he applied to the School of Advanced Journalism. He came here rather out of curiosity, with a good dose of skepticism, because he didn’t believe that a career in journalism is possible in Moldova. Surprise came with the graduation of the SAJ, as a job offer. Now, he is a reporter with “Adevarul” newspaper from Bucharest; he manages the publication’s section for Moldova on its website and is proud of being part of a correct and professional team.

Petru Garciu

”Journalism does not tolerate laziness and fear”

He is a passionate football fan, but he had been interested in journalism since elementary school, when he used to read the “Sport-Courier” newspaper from cover to cover and dream of someday writing interesting and exciting reports about football matches. Over time, however, this dream was lost among many other thoughts, desires and aspirations. Therefore, after high school he continued his studies at the Agronomy Faculty of Comrat State University.

Liuba Lupaşco

”CSAJ training was trendy. Media people, when hearing about CSAJ, would react in the same way: ”CSAJ? Oh, yes...”

I joined SAJ several years after graduation, with some baggage of real-life experience. I decided to reformat my knowledge. I should admit that I applied due to the encouragement of the circle of creative energetic people with strong ethics that surrounded me: they either wanted to join SAJ themselves or had already graduated from it. Studying at SAJ was trendy. Media people, when hearing about SAJ, would react in the same way: 'SAJ? Oh, yes...'  SAJ trainers, who are widely known as outstanding professionals, are the School's main asset. Another one is the Western training model, when one is told: 'Do you truly want to be a journalist? Forget about high heels, take your recorder and go to the field. From the very first day.'