Culture
Despite Moldova’s small size, its population is quite diverse. The majority of the population (64.5 percent) consists of Moldovans or people of Romanian descent. Other significant ethnic groups include Ukrainians, Russians, Gagauzis, Bulgarians, and Jews. Small numbers of Belorussians, Germans, Poles, Turks, and Romany also live in Moldova.
The official language of Moldova, as specified by the Constitution, is Romanian, written in the Latin alphabet. Although Russian is no longer the official language, many Moldovans, especially in urban areas, are more familiar with Russian. Recently, the issue of declaring Russian as a second official language has become the subject of great national debate and political demonstrations. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova, you will need to exercise a large degree of diplomacy when dealing with the language issue.
Moldovans are open, warm, friendly, and generous people and are famous for their hospitality. However, living and working in a culture that is not your own can be frustrating and uncomfortable at times. As a guest in Moldova, you will be expected to respect the country’s culture and traditions and make any necessary adaptations to fit in. If you are willing to be open to all the good things that Moldova has to offer and to tolerate the problems of a country undergoing difficult economic and political changes, you will be rewarded with one of the greatest experiences of your life
