Embry-Riddle Aviation Degree is Music to Her Ears

The 23-year-old Romanian native is an accomplished singer and performer who fell in love with aviation as a young girl and now has herself on course to earn a Master of Science in Aeronautics from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University to go along with her bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest.

“My brother is a civil aviation captain,” Anastasia said. “He instilled in me a love for this field.Since then, I started to be interested and listen carefully to any information related to aviation. With the passing of the years, it became a passion that’s defined my life.”

Anastasia is currently studying online through the Worldwide Campus but exploring the option of studying abroad in the U.S. She said Embry‑Riddle was an easy choice for her advanced aviation degree.

“It became apparent quite quickly that Embry‑Riddle is the most prestigious university in the world in the field of aviation,” she said. “Likewise, it has kept abreast of the current and future needs of the industry. The outstanding career opportunities offered after completing my studies at Embry‑Riddle convinced me that this university was the best choice.”

Anastasia’s degree journey is off to a great start. She says that so far, Embry‑Riddle has been “the best and most transforming academic experience of my life.”

“The core values of the American educational system encourage and stimulate performance, research, qualitative individual and team effort, gender equality and multicultural diversity,” she said. “These values, which are fundamental for me, help foster my ability to receive and give back while having the opportunity of both personal and professional development in an environment of academic integrity.”

Anastasia is now investing the same energy into aviation as she did into her career as a teenage singer, when she represented Romania as part of the Children Forever vocal group. She performed all over Europe and eventually took on the role of organizer and teacher for the younger vocalists.

“The group helped me to discover the importance of teamwork,” she said. “In music, everyone's effort is vital towards a common magical goal: to make the public feel what you feel. Having this engrained at such young age through this wonderful art form was very enriching and satisfying.”

The lessons have served her well. Anastasia was among the key organizers of the 2021 Air Navigation Convention, an international event that brings aviation professionals together with students to strengthen the link between generations and help students launch their professional careers.

She is also among the pioneering members of #AviAll, an association of equity advocates across aviation who share a common vision and are working to making the industry as diverse and inclusive as possible.

Wherever she lands when her degree journey is complete, Anastasia is excited about the potential for her aviation career and confident that Embry‑Riddle will help her make the most of it.