Medical Student from Brazil planning a surgical exchange in Chișinău

Hi everyone!

​I’m a medical student from Brazil (currently in my final year) and I’m planning a 4-to-8 week surgical exchange in Chișinău.

​I’ve always been fascinated by Eastern European history and the Soviet aesthetic, but I want to know the "real" Moldova beyond the clichés. Since I’ll be spending a lot of time in the hospital, I have a few questions for you natives.

As a native Portuguese speaker, I know Romanian shares the same roots, but I’m also very interested in learning Russian. In a hospital setting in Chișinău, which one would help me more to connect with patients during night shifts?

Also, I have a dream of seeing real snow and experiencing a proper cold winter. Does Chișinău usually get snowy in October/November, or should I aim for later?

​And given the current regional situation, how is the vibe in Chișinău right now? Is it easy to travel to the countryside or neighboring Romania during weekends? The russian-ukrainian war can be a problem, since moldova borders ukraine?

​I’m a big fan of Heavy Metal and traditional food. Any must-go places in Chișinău for a good meal or an underground gig?

​Any advice (or warnings!) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!