By Neli Gacheva | Development Associate
“I decided that if I was going to grow professionally somewhere, I wanted it to be where I could contribute the most.”, shares Ivana, a participant in the Teach For Bulgaria program, currently teaching English in Vetren.
In the past few years many aspiring people, who study or work abroad, have decided to transition and continue their life and career paths in Bulgaria. Such is the case with many Teach For Bulgaria participants, who have decided to pursue professional development in Bulgaria after years of international experience. To many of them, teaching is a way to apply their experience and skills to help students, who can benefit from their support the most. Teaching, on the other hand, is also a way for them to grow professionally and develop leadership skills by working in a new and challenging environment.
Ivana is a 22-year-old professional, who spent three years in London, studying Art History at University College London. She also worked for an organization, called Bulgarian Careers Fair, where she managed their blog and the social media of the organization. Even though she enjoyed London, Ivana was certain that they “were not compatible for a long-term relationship". "I wanted to build a life and start a family in Bulgaria some day and I knew that I had to contribute in order to enjoy my life here,” Ivana adds.
Ivana found a way to contribute by becoming a teacher. She teaches English at Primary School “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” in the town of Vetren. “I decided that this was something useful I could do for myself right after university,” she shares. “My job as a teacher is a way to grow, to leave the social bubble I used to live in, and to do something good for someone else.”
In her first days at school Ivana discovered one of the advantages of living in Bulgaria. “I was surprised how easy it was to make things happen here – when we invite guests in our classes, for example, it can happen very quickly and we don’t need to plan it two months in advance.” She also shares that it is easier for her to achieve work-life balance here. “I expected to be happier, calmer, and to fit in better here and that’s exactly what happened,” Ivana concludes.
Ivana is one of many inspirational Teach For Bulgaria participants, who devote their time to improving the educational outcomes for students in Bulgaria.
Your generous support allows us to attract, train and support aspiring professionals like Ivana to become teachers in high-need schools in the short-term and long-term leaders and change agents in Bulgaria.
Should you want to support TFB teachers by becoming a role model in their classrooms, or a mentor – do not hesitate to reach out to us and express your interest.
You can find additional information about TFB’s on our website and Facebook page.
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