Romania had one of the fastest-growing economies in the world after it joined the European Union in 2007. However, it all came to a screeching halt when the global financial crisis hit. Tourism is a small part of the economic growth in Romania right now, but they are hoping to change that. They're working hard now to attract tourists.

The country hopes to diversify its economy by exporting its wines globally. After all, they have been making wine for more than 2,000 years.

But there are parts of Romania where time seems to stand still.

A group of University of Illinois students traveled to Romania to document its progress since the fall of Communism 20 years ago, as part of an International Reporting Class.

Those stories and more on Revealing Romania. This is the first part of an hour-long special.