Bulgaria at Heart




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  • 2014-02-26 15:01:05
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Singing in the AUBG choir, going to Underground, eating banitsa at 3 am, and Eastern European history classes that give me a new perspective on the Cold War - these are some of the things I remember most from my semester at AUBG.  [caption id="attachment_18540" align="alignleft" width="151" caption="Erika back in Bulgara, 2014"][/caption] I spent the fall of 2011 in Blagoevgrad as an exchange student.  My time there, studying and playing alongside an international community, challenged me by exposing me to a variety of cultures and different points of view.  I made friends from countries I had never heard of, tasted a variety of national foods, and had many complex discussions about politics and social values.  Surprisingly, my initial decision to study in Bulgaria was random.  I had a desire to study in Eastern Europe, but to be honest, I couldn't even locate Bulgaria on a map when I submitted my study abroad application.  All I knew about Bulgaria was that it was a country I didn't know anything about.  I never anticipated that choosing Bulgaria back in 2011 would continue to influence my life in 2014.  Two years later, I am living in Bulgaria again, teaching English in Ruse on a Fulbright grant.  In addition to that, I am also learning Bulgarian and traveling on weekends to towns that I was unable to visit during my semester abroad.  My time as an exchange student has been a great advantage to me this year as I attempt to integrate into Bulgarian life and culture as much as possible.  I love the colors of traditional folk costumes, I love toasting "наздраве!" with my co-workers, and I love exploring the beautiful nature that this country has to offer. [caption id="attachment_18537" align="alignright" width="252" caption="Erika & her friends at AUBG, 2011"][/caption] One of the greatest gifts so far has been having conversations in broken Bulgarian.  I am amazed how warm and patient people are with me when I attempt to speak in their language.  Bulgaria has once again stolen a piece of my heart.  My experiences here will continue to influence my life and my field of interest after I return to the United States. It is amazing the way a single choice can continue to impact the course of your life.  When I submitted my application 3 years ago, I never imagined the possibility of moving to Bulgaria right after graduating from university.  Although my initial return here was unexpected, I now know that this is a country I will return to again and again throughout my life. Contributing author: Erika Sanders