Open your eyes

Well, we all love to travel to other cities or countries, we all love to meet new people from abroad, we love the feeling of the upcoming flight or train, we love to listen to the stories and to share our own. I am not an exception. Since the age of 6 I used to travel abroad to any kinds of summer camps and language schools, conferences and exchanges.

But recently I made the craziest decision in my life - I quit my University and moved to Bulgaria to do my European Volunteering Service. What do people usually know about that country? Well, nothing. Small and corrupted piece of the land somewhere in Balkans.

I was faced a lot of misunderstanding and confusion from my family and close friends. "Why not privileged EU countries? Why not Germany or France?" More usually people were saying "Only gypsies leave there, they will kidnap you" or "This country is so poor what you gonna do there?" I met so many stereotypes so I decided to come to Bulgaria at least to break them.

And I am happy now. I am happy about the environment and people I am surrounded by. I am happy telling to my friend and family that I am living next to the biggest mountains in Balkans, I can go hiking there on weekend or go to the seaside instead. I am happy to pick the apples at our local friend's garden or making traditional banitsa with our coordinator. I enjoy the life here and enjoy the real spirit of the country.

Don't afraid to open your eyes and look outside: the world is so beautiful, countries are so different and people are so interesting.