Romania Reflections: Five Lessons Working Remotely in Europe
Last summer, I had the opportunity to participate in Peritus’ Workaway program — a remote‑work initiative that gives our team the opportunity to explore, experience, and grow in a destination of our choice while working on Central Time. Inspired by our partners through the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), the program goes beyond travel for travel’s sake. It encourages in-person connection with the option of visiting one of 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.
Romania Recap
I spent three weeks in Romania, working remotely for two of them and taking vacation during the middle week. While the food, culture, and landscapes were equally memorable, the true highlight was connecting with locals, from tour guides shaping our understanding of the country to a memorable lunch 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 by spending quality time in notable destinations, including:
Timișoara – 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 – 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 home base for the final week, working remotely from the historic Marmorosch Hotel.
Five Takeaways from Working Away in Romania
My workaway experience shaped five lessons that I brought home to Alabama, many of which have direct relevance to our work at Peritus and how we show up for clients, media, community partners, and each other as teammates.
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 speak. In Romania, the language barrier was an obvious challenge, though the fact that Romanian is being a Romantic language made easier than other countries I’ve visited in Eastern Europe.
Even a few attempted phrases, 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 strong first impression and a missed opportunity.
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 remain. Visiting a Communism museum in Bucharest and learning about state media and speech censorship, I was reminded how easily we take 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, credible, 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 be in 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, 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 directly influence travel decisions.
The takeaway for our work as PR practitioners is clear: credibility is earned, not given or bought.
4. Embrace Radical Candor
Throughout the trip, locals 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 ongoing growth area for our team (and me…looking at you, Enneagram 9). The book’s core idea, caring personally while challenging directly, showed up in small, everyday interactions across the trip.
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
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. That conversation reinforced that PRGN is more than a global affiliation—it’s a living network of peers who share values, perspectives, and a deep understanding of the communications practice across borders.
From team retention and client relationships to navigating industry changes like AI, the realities of agency life transcend geography.
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 slowing down, listening carefully, or approaching familiar situations with fresh curiosity.
Peritus launched Workaway as both a team perk and a strategic investment to help us more deeply think, work more effectively, and grow personally and professionally. Spending three weeks in Romania reminded me that stepping outside our default routines, assumptions, and habits can strengthen our work, deepen relationships, and create spaces for new experiences.