Brașov implements successful integration model for refugee youth

The Language Buddy project, an international initiative implemented in Brașov, has concluded its pilot phase, demonstrating a successful model for social and linguistic integration.

Between January and June 2026, the program paired 52 student mentors from Transilvania University with 56 migrant and refugee children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 from Ukraine, India, and Sri Lanka. The initiative facilitated over 415 mentoring sessions, totaling more than 780 hours of direct interaction. Rather than traditional classroom instruction, the program focused on learning the Romanian language through creative activities and free conversation.

Evaluations indicated high satisfaction, with mentors giving the experience an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Participants reported increased self-confidence and improved Romanian communication skills, while student mentors noted developments in empathy, patience, and intercultural communication skills.