Last summer, I participated in the Peritus Workaway Program — a remote‑work initiative that gives our team the opportunity to experience a destination of our choice while working on Central Time. Workaway was designed as a recruitment and retention tool to more fully live out our firm’s mission, provide our team with creative benefits, and meet the needs of today’s evolving workforce

Inspired by our partners through the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), the program also gives us a platform to visit one or a few of the 55+ PRGN partner agencies across the globe. So, where did I go?

Romania, a beautiful country in Eastern Europe that probably isn’t at the top of your travel bucket list. And truth be told, it wasn’t on mine either until my partner Mikey pitched me on the idea and planned the entire trip himself (@TravelWithMikey). What followed was an incredible experience that reshaped how I think about travel, work, and communication.

Side note: I wasn’t the only Peritus teammate who took advantage of Workaway in 2025. Check out Bella and Casey’s adventure in Paris and Belgium here.

Romania Recap

I spent three weeks in Romania, working remotely for two of them and taking vacation during the middle week. Like many Americans, my reference point for Romania began with the Dracula myth — but the country I experienced offered far more than folklore, with a well-balanced mix of friendly locals, delicious food, rich history, and breathtaking scenery. The true highlight, though, was the people we met, from local tour guides who shaped our understanding of the country to a memorable afternoon with Daniel Amzar of Free Communications, our PRGN partner agency in Bucharest.

Rather than a sightseeing checklist across multiple European countries, spending three weeks in one country helped me understand Romania on a deeper level, travel slower, and spend quality time in key destinations, including:

Timisoara – nicknamed “Little Vienna” and named the 2023 European Capital of Culture, with a vibrant arts scene and café culture ideal for remote work.
Sibiu and Brașov – two charming Transylvanian cities gaining international attention through media coverage from The New York Times, Forbes, and National Geographic.
Carpathian Mountains – winding drives along the Transfăgărășan Highway, hikes to jagged cliffs and alpine lakes, and Europe’s highest concentration of brown bears.
Bucharest – “Little Paris,” where rich history collides with modern life, and my home base for the final week, working remotely from the historic Marmorosch Hotel.

Five Takeaways from Workaway in Romania

My workaway experience shaped five lessons that I brought home to Alabama, many of which have a direct impact on how we show up for clients, media, community partners, and teammates at Peritus.

1. Nonverbal Communication Comes First

From the moment you enter a new room (or arrive in a new country), you’re communicating long before you say your first word. In Romania, the language barrier was an obvious challenge, though the fact that Romanian is a Romantic language made it easier than other countries I’ve visited in Eastern Europe.

Simply attempting a few Romanian phrases instead of defaulting to English, paired with a warm smile and curiosity, noticeably shifted locals’ body language and openness. It was a reminder that tone, presence, and expression often speak louder than words. As communicators, nonverbal cues shape how our messages are received.

Reading the room, listening actively, and adjusting on the fly can make the difference between a good or bad first impression.

2. Context is Key

Romania reinforced the importance of meeting people where they are and understanding the dynamics of a room (or country) before you walk in. The country’s post-communist era is only about as old as I am, 35 years, and many of the historical wounds still remain. Visiting a Communism museum in Bucharest and learning about state media and speech censorship, I was reminded how easily we take basic privileges like freedoms of speech for granted.

Effective communication requires understanding the lived experiences of others. The more effort we put into understanding context instead of projecting our own assumptions, the more thoughtful and impactful our work becomes.

3. Earned Media Matters

One of the clearest, real‑world PR lessons came from spending time with local guides and hearing how transformative a single article, award, or positive review can have on bolstering a destination or business. Timisoara, for example, was recently named the 2023 European Capital of Culture and in the same year spotlighted in the New York Times as an emerging destination. The number “2023” appeared everywhere around the city, from life-size Instagram backdrops in Old Town to plaques inside local businesses.

The same theme arose repeatedly with our tour guides, who were polite but persistent about asking for reviews after each experience. In destinations like Romania that are still earning their place on the global tourism map, positive reviews, international accolades, and high-profile media coverage can directly influence travel decisions.

Seeing the value of earned media from the ground floor in another country reinforced a core tenant of our profession: credibility is earned, not given or bought.

4. Embrace Radical Candor

Throughout the trip, many Romanians were incredibly direct. When a menu item wasn’t worth recommending or someone wasn’t sure which direction to point us while navigating the streets, they simply said so without applying polite Southern filters many of us in Alabama are accustomed to.

Whether this was a reflection of Romanian culture, the language barrier, or a combination, the honesty was refreshing. It immediately brought Radical Candor to mind, a Peritus book club favorite and big focus area for our team (myself included…looking at you, Enneagram 9) on the importance of direct communication, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Clear communication doesn’t feel harsh when it’s delivered with respect and good intent. Instead, it builds trust and eliminates confusion.

5. Similar Challenges, Different Cultures

As I mentiond earlier, at the end of my trip I met with Daniel Amzar, Communications Director and Junior Partner at Free Communications, our PRGN partner agency in Bucharest. We spent a few hours together over a three-course lunch in the city’s business district, sharing classic Romanian dishes like mici and papanași while swapping agency best practices (and the occasional grievance) across cultures and continents.

What struck me most wasn’t how different our professional challenges were, but how familiar they felt. This conversation reinforced that PRGN is more than a global affiliation, it’s a network of peers who share values, perspectives, and a passion for elevating the communications practice internationally.

From team retention and client relationships to navigating industry changes like AI, it was evident that the realities of communications agency life transcend borders.

My Published by Peritus Takeaway

“Working away” isn’t just about a change in geography; it’s about a change in perspective. And you don’t have to travel to Romania (or at all) to gain it. Sometimes it comes from shaking things up, listening more intently, or approaching familiar situations with fresh curiosity.

Peritus launched Workaway as both a team perk, recruitment/retention tool, and a strategic investment to help us think more deeply, work more effectively, and grow personally and professionally. Spending three weeks in Romania reminded me that by stepping outside our default routines and habits, we can accomplish just that.

Curious to learn more about our Workaway program or how could apply something similar to fit your own company culture? Email me and let’s chat!

Romania Reflections: Five Lessons from My Workaway Experience