Romanian Student Reflects on Door County Summer

Darius Zlibut, a J-1 student from Romania, is thankful for the positive experiences he has during his Door County summers.

by DARIUS ZLIBUT

My name is Darius, and I am a J-1 student from Oradea, Romania. This is my sixth summer in Egg Harbor. My adventure started in 2016 when I arrived here for the first time as a J-1 student. Following a disappointing experience during my first summer, I said I would never return to the U.S. 

But someone managed to change my mind, and that was Kaaren Northrop – to whom I thank and always be grateful to. I contacted Kaaren in the fall of 2016, and although we didn’t meet before, she offered me a job at Main Street Market. The whole Northrop and Callsen family welcomed me with open arms, which totally changed my perception of this cultural program for work and travel. 

Thanks to this job, I had the chance to meet a lot of wonderful people who made this workplace a special one. I had the opportunity to be part of the community, and in this way I want to thank everyone because they mean everything. You were so friendly and welcoming from the very beginning. 

Another place where I had the chance to deepen my relationships was at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club, and for this I want to thank Amy Gorham for all the support and appreciation. I will dearly remember all the 4th of July, every other holiday that brought us together and had fun, every sunset that blew my mind, the fairs, the time by the lake and the moments with the other students. 

After all these summers spent in this beautiful town, surrounded by all these amazing people, my adventure in America as a J-1 stops here. A new important step in my life awaits me, and that is marriage. I will be returning to Romania, and in the summer of 2023, I will marry my beautiful future wife, Georgiana. At some point in life I plan to come back together with Georgiana and show her this wonderful place that made me the man I am today. 

I want to thank you all for this wonderful experience. I will never forget you! I say goodbye to all of you, and I wish you the best in the world. May you all remain as happy and full of joy as I have seen you during my time here.