| Andrea is not only making a difference in other people's lives in Bulgaria, she's learning from them too. Living and working in Sofia as a Peace Corps Volunteer with her husband, this American woman gives us a glimpse into what Bulgaria is like and why it's a good place to move to. |
 Andrea |
-Where were you born?
Port Byron, Illinois, USA. Small town on the Mississippi River.
-In which country and city are you living now?
Sofia, Bulgaria
-Are you living alone or with your family?
I'm living with my husband, Michael
-How long have you been living in Bulgaria
Just over two years
-What is your age?
32
-When did you come up with the idea of living in Bulgaria?
In 2004, Michael and I were typical DINKS (double income no kids). I ran a marketing business. He was a corporate guy at DirecTV. We weren’t ready for kids, but we were curious about the world. We wanted to live and work abroad, lose our materialism, appreciate our roots and contribute to a greater good. Peace Corps was the right fit. You aren’t allowed to choose your country, only the region. We chose Eastern Europe because we knew it was a time of exciting transition. Read more about our decision here.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
No, Peace Corps provides this.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Again, Peace Corps takes care of this.
-How do you make your living in Bulgaria? Do you have any type of income generated?
Peace Corps provides us with a stipend and assigns us to non-governmental organizations. I work for Traditzia, where I provide marketing, partnership networking and volunteer management. However, it’s very easy to find additional work if need be. If you join groups, strike up conversations and network all the time, opportunites are everywhere—writing for expat publications, English voice work for e-learning companies, facilitating English conversation classes, web site content editing, and of course, acting in low-budget Science Fiction films, which I’ve done now three times ;-) As a Peace Corps Volunteer, however, my primary job is to volunteer. So while here, all money I made went straight to my supporting organizations.
-Do you speak Bulgarian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I think it’s crucial to speak the local language and I believe your experience is much richer if you do so. However, that said, living in Sofia, a modern Eastern European city, has made it a challenge for us. We were given stellar language instruction for ten weeks upon arrival, but once here, our language skills deterioriated rapidly, as our colleagues and many Sofia-ites speak English. I also believe a balance of immersion and inclusion is best. You should follow cultural norms, but don’t forget that natives benefit from your international influence. Don’t go completely native! I strongly recommend looking into some cross-cultural classes if nothing is formally arranged for you. Don’t be fooled by Sofia’s modern and European façade.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Of course I do. However, SKYPE and blogs make keeping in touch a cinch. Here in Sofia, I adore unearthing new restaurants, attending Yoga classes, hiking on Vitosha mountain and attending the book club that I started. But Sofia has a lot to offer: theater, ballet, opera, cinema, biking, live music, festivals, beer gardens, everything.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
Yes! We finish our service in October and plan to travel through the Middle East and down through East Africa. Then we’ll head back to Denver, CO to pursue our graduate degrees. Myself in International and Intercultural Communications and my husband in Project Management and Political Science. But we definitely plan to live abroad again. . .
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Sofia is the least expensive capital city in Europe right now, so it’s a bargain. A small, Bulgarian style, flat in the center will cost you about 250 Euros. We only rent, but I understand there are some very good deals on investment property. The British are moving here by the dozens.
-What is the cost of living in Bulgaria?
A decent Indian meal for two with alcohol costs about 17 Euro, while a typical Bulgarian meal for two will cost half that.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Bulgaria?
Positive: Fresh produce and natural yogurt is delicious. Wine is a terrific value. There is a broad spectrum of outdoor life, including the mountains and the sea. Cost of living is quite affordable. Transportation is efficient and cheap. Laid-back lifestyle is marvelous. The location provides access to several other countries. Read more about these here and here.
Negative: No customer service, very reserved and not a terribly friendly culture, reckless driving, no lines, and a fatalist attitude. Read some of my lessons about culture here and here.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Bulgaria?
If you want to understand Bulgarian people, read up on the history of this country. Five hundred years of Ottoman oppression and then many decades of Russian communism has taken their toll. Communication is just different. Most of all, just know that the schedule in your day planner is only an IDEA of how your day will actually turn out. Be ready for it!
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Bulgaria?
www.glory-ho.com
My husband and I find the glories in life by putting on our boots and going to see what we can see. Blogs about culture, travel, books, life, technology and learning how to fly by going abroad.
www.sofiaecho.com
A weekly English newspaper where I freelanced. A great introduction for Bulgaria newbies.
www.vagabond-bg.com
A monthly English magazine where I did some writing---well written, a little fashion, a little culture, a little politics, a little tourism, a little fiction and a lot of helpful expat information.
