Double celebration as medical students marry and graduate on same day

A young Romanian couple who met while studying together at university in Britain have married and graduated from medical school on the same day.

Nicoleta Craucuic and Alex Tirb got married in Exeter on Tuesday morning before graduating in the afternoon.

The couple met more than 1,600 miles (2,575km) away from home, while studying medical imaging at the University of Exeter Medical School.

They have now been together for more than three years.

But Mrs Tirb said their relationship was not all plain sailing at first.

“At the beginning it was quite challenging, studying alongside each other on the same course,” she said.

“It definitely tested our relationship, as university can naturally be a very stressful environment.

“Having come out the other side though, it definitely shows us that we’re right for each other.”

More than a year into their relationship, Mr Tirb popped the question in 2016, while they on their first holiday together in Edinburgh.

He said: “It’s incredible really, it turns out that fate has a sweet face here, having met my future wife on the same course.

“Three hard years later, we’re still together, still strong and looking forward to a bright future.”

The couple intend to maintain their close proximity to each other in their jobs.

“We went on placement together there in our first year and we were really impressed.

“It’s a really exciting time because we’re going to be starting the next chapter of our lives together, as well as our careers.”

Mr Tirb added: “Tuesday carries with it the memories of the special times spent at university.

“It commemorates an end of one chapter of our lives and the beginning of two others – our careers and a new life together as a married couple.”

The pair will hold a wedding ceremony in Romania on September 1, surrounded by family and friends.