The girl from Roșiori de Vede who graduated from Harvard and works at NATO. Lavinia Teodorescu's story: 'I would return to Romania anytime'

Lavinia Teodorescu's journey from the rural county of Teleorman to the prestigious halls of Harvard University and NATO is a testament to her unwavering determination. Her story began in Roșiori de Vede, a town perhaps more known for its literary figures than its academic prodigies. From a young age, Lavinia displayed a unique independence, famously refusing to attend kindergarten for nearly two and a half years.

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I would return to Romania anytime

Her parents' attempts to enroll her were met with consistent refusal until, at almost six years old, Lavinia herself decided she was ready. This pattern of self-determination continued. While she excelled in subjects like mathematics, even striking "deals" with her parents to spend more time on challenging problems, she wasn't initially driven by a need to be top of the class. It was in middle school that her academic prowess began to truly shine.

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I refused to go to kindergarten initially. My parents tried to take me at 3 years old and after about 2-3 days of me refusing to go and saying no, no, no, they changed the kindergarten group, they kept trying, but it didn't work. They tried to take me to my grandparents, to the countryside, to kindergarten there. It didn't go too well there either. So, for the first 2 years of kindergarten, 2 and a half years, I didn't go there. And I lived, in fact, between Călmățuiul de Sus and Roșiori.

Despite her early successes, the path to higher education wasn't straightforward. She initially failed her university entrance exams. Undeterred, she returned to Bucharest, sought another chance, and three months later achieved an impressive 9.90 in English. This resilience paved the way for her eventual admission to Harvard, a feat that required significant sacrifice, including her grandmother moving to the capital to support her.

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One day, I decided things had to change. I was almost 6 years old when I went to my mother and told her I was ready to go to kindergarten now.

Now working at NATO, Lavinia Teodorescu has achieved international recognition. Yet, despite her global career and accomplishments, she holds a deep affection for her homeland. "I would return to Romania anytime," she states, indicating that her roots remain firmly planted, even as her career takes her across the world.

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I always wasn't the first child in class. I think it was only in middle school that I started to stand out more, but before that, I always...