Anna Chorbadzhiiska, Kardzhali, Bulgaria

“The world is a book, and the ones who don’t travel, read only one page of it.” Travel is an adventure which is about getting new knowledge and values. When one travels around the world, they meet new people and get to know them. With a plane ticket and some free time everyone should be able to jump into the unknown, learn new things and make new friendships, which will remain in our minds and hearts forever.

Bulgaria is a small country, located in Southeastern Europe. As a country with a millennia-old history, on which used to live some of the most ancient civilizations, my country has something to offer to every guest who had decided to visit it. Various Thracian tombs and mounds, remains of the Romans, ancient antique settlements, beautiful Black Sea cities, various natural resources around the territory of Bulgaria…

Thanks to the ERASMUS + project we had the opportunity to meet and get to know different people of our age from Italy, Finland and Germany and show them part of the small paradise called Bulgaria. And this unforgettable memory will remain in our hearts forever ...

The excitement began weeks before our guests arrived, when I received information about the girl who would spend a week at my home and even live in home and be part of my life for a little while. The communication happened through social networks, but from that moment on I realized that our friendship will last forever because I had the chance to meet a person who I had never seen in real life but who had similar interests and character to mine.

While my family and I were waiting for the little bus to arrive late at night from Sofia Airport, I was very impatient for our adventure to begin .The girl had seen from Bulgaria for a little while before, she had many questions which, of course, were answered. Some were taken with great surprise, but we also found many similarities between mine and her home country.

The next day we were at a school where all the guests were greeted according to an old Bulgarian tradition - with a bread with salt. That’s how we, the Bulgarians, show our hospitality. The culture of my country is not world-famous, but with every step of exploration, foreigners admire what they see. We got to know each other through games which our teachers had organized. It was only the beginning of a great adventure…

On Tuesday, we also visited the city of Plovdiv. We visited the museum, where we spent about an hour exploring the ancient exhibits. Thracian treasures, gold ornaments, Roman mosaics ... Everything proved the existence of the ancient civilizations on the land we were stepping on. After exploring the Old Town and the beautiful sights of Plovdiv, we headed to the center of the city to complete another project task. We stopped people by asking them to interview them. This was really difficult because Bulgarians are people who really dislike be shot in front of a camera.

Wednesday was a day for attending classes, more performances at school and practicing the unique Bulgarian folk dances. The impression of foreigners was the close relationship between students and teachers. "Bulgarians are the most extroverted nation I know" - were the words of almost every foreigner who took part in the project. The dances were a challenge, thanks to which we became even closer. After that, we visited an old town called Perperikon. "We took lots of pictures, but the biggest memory was the whole experience, which I'm sure none of us will ever forget."

The next day we set off for the capital, Sofia. Even after a short road obstacle and a two-hour stay at a small gas station, we were overflowing with energy and we were looking forward to the Parliament's visit. Afterwards, we again looked at the city and its sights - St. Alexander Nevsky, the Cathedral provoked reactions from the foreigners, because they did not come from Orthodox countries.

Friday was the day we showed our skills in front of computers and created various presentations for our stay in Bulgaria. While watching the videos and the photos, we realized how close we had become within a week. We also visited the city museum, and then we headed back home to get ready for the upcoming party, which close the project. We were dancing and singing in different languages. It was an unforgettable experience! Despite the fatigue, we continued and felt wonderful.

The next day was free program. We went sightseeing in and out of town, introduced the guests to our Bulgarian friends and everyone was very happy and fascinated. In the evening we saw each other for the last time! to speak a different language, but also to meet people who will stay in my heart forever, despite the miles that are dividing us! I am truly grateful for the chance I received. By knowing people from every part of the world, one learns and builds a new worldview that will help me in the future.

Kalina Stoykova, Kardzhali, Bulgaria

Finally the day for the most intended meeting came!! On the 17th of November we welcomed students from Germany, Finland and Italy. I had the luck the girl who i was a guest to in Germany to be my guest here. Their stay in Bulgaria was very emotional and special! They learned a lot about our country, our culture, our traditions, for us as people and most importantly for our delicious Bulgarian food!

For the first day we had planned some games which helped them to get to know the school better. The second day we had a trip to Plovdiv where we had the task to interview random strangers. The questions were dedicated to Bulgaria and what should foreigns know before visiting our country. We went to see the Plovdiv museum, The antique theater and the old town. The third day they had to spend a class with us and after that we went to Perperikon. The fourth day we had a trip to Bulgaria's capital city-Sofia. We visited the parliament and the Alexander Nevski cathedral. We again interviewed some poeple. The fifth day we had to make a presentation which contained everything we did the previous days and we had a Goodbye party. The sixth day was the most emotional of all. It was a free one which was meant to be spend with our family and the exchange student and later in the evening we gathered all together for last. The day of their departure was filled with sadness and tears but they've invited us to see them again for which we are extremely happy!!

A week filled with all kinds of emotions, tears of sadness and happiness. The Erasm+ IT and language teaching gifted me a lot of unforgettable memories, an opportunity to be face-to-face with another culture and to show mine to others. And the best is the memories won't stay only in my phone in photo forms but also in my mind and heart as one wonderful experience. Thank you Erasm+

Aksel Tsvetkov, Kardzhali, Bulgaria

From 18.11.2019-23.11.2019 15 students and 10 teachers from Finland, Germany and Italy and they visited our school in the town of Kardzhali and they took part in the initiatives organized by our students and teachers.

I was a host to a student from Italy whose name was Franchesko Silvi. I had the opportunity to communicate with him and other guests in English and this made think about my knowledge in English and made me want to improve it. Thanks to Franchesko I know Italy from distance.

The theme of the meeting was: ‘’The Youth and Culture in Europe’’.

We presented to our guest the beauty of Bulgarian traditions and history.

All of us together visited the city of Plovdiv- The European capital of culture for 2019.We met closely with the rich centuries old history of this beautiful city of ours. We conducted interviews in English. We got informed about the citys cultural attractions. We made presentations revealing the impression of our guests from Bulgaria.

We participated in a school rally-quiz. Our students from the theatrical studio in English presented to our guests their play. They were welcomed with enthusiasm and applause.

We visited the National Assembly where we were greeted by Mrs. Tsveta Karyancheva – President of the Bulgarian Parliament. She told us about the functions and the work of the National Assembly.

We visited the archaeological complex Perperikon and the Regional History Museum in Kardzhali.

We had a day with a free program. I, my family and Francesco organized a trip to the Kardzhali Reservoir. We travelled on a boat and ate fish. It was exciting.

Our last night with our friends from abroad was very emotional. We sang in different languages, danced different national dances. I didn't dance, but I still had a real fun.

The Erasmus programme helped me to acquire not only a lot of knowledge and experience, but also to create many contacts. In my opinion, the Erasmus programme is not just training, but a complete experience combining fun, experience, travel, knowledge, culture. I can say that Erasmus changes lives, perceptions and ideas.

Ilia Iliev , Kardzhali, Bulgaria

During the week from 17th to 24th November we welcomed students from Finland, Italy and Germany. I hosted a Finnish boy and got to get to know him a lot. It was an incredible experience as I managed to learn words and phrases in different languages while getting to know the lifestyle of Europeans from different parts of Europe, and was also able to compare it to mine. We had the chance to introduce them to our town, surroundings and some of the bigger cities.

I think that they enjoyed their stay and because of how nice and considerate they were, the week was extremely enjoyable. Everyone was open to try everything new and I made connections for life. I will never forget the trips to Plovdiv and Sofia and of course all the time spent in cafés or at school. Additionally, we had the opportunity to work as a team with a few of the foreigners and create a presentation to wrap up the whole week, which I think turned better than I could have imagined.

The program Erasmus+ “It and language teaching” provided me with an incredible amount of people of all backgrounds, who to exchange experience with. I had the incredible chance to travel around Bulgaria with them, explore and document it. Thank you Erasmus+!

Danaya Rimpopova, Kardzhali, Bulgaria

My impressions of the students, who came to the exchange program in Bulgaria, are very good, because the people were really nice and cheerful and had the great opportunity to make new friends. I was really happy, when I saw the girl, who stayed in my house for the week. She was really nice, sweet and polite, like everyone who came in Bulgaria for the exchange week in Bulgaria. During the time of the exchange in Bulgaria I learned a lot of things about the cultures of the people in the program, which was great for me, because it’s always a good thing to know about the cultures of people from different nationalities. While we were the hosts of the exchange project I was able to learn a lot about my country too, because we were able to see a lot of beautiful and interesting places. But I am most happy for the new friends I was able to make, because one of the most important things in the world is having friends, who are willing to help you no matter where you are. I am really happy, that I was a part of the Erasmus+ project, because thanks to it I will always remember the exciting week, which I had.

Mila

My impressions of the students, who came to the exchange program in Bulgaria, are very good. People were very kind, pleasant and friendly. When I saw the girl, who stayed in my house, I felt a lot of emotions. Emotions like happiness and joy. She was the most sweet, beautiful and cheerful. Even when I saw her I knew we would become very good friends and we would get along well. She had the great opportunity to make new friends, like everyone who came in Bulgaria for the exchange week. During that week I learned a lot of things about the cultures of the other people. I always wanted to know more about the cultures of people from different nationalities. I was able to learn a lot about my country because we were able to see a lot of personable and interesting places. Our free day was amazing too, because we went to "Mobi Dik" restaurant. There were cages with lots of fish and a little nice boat. It was very cold and we could not go for a ride. My girl liked a lot, that my mother cooked every day, bulgarian dishes. I am really happy, that I was a part of the Erasmus+ project, thanks to it. I will remember the wonderful week, which I had.

Viktoria Karabashova, Kardzhali, Bulgaria

The first day in school together with our guests from Italy, Germany and Finland started with a presentation of our country and school. Teachers and students from other countries were impressed by our land and culture. After the presentation we had a rally all over the school. It was very interesting and fun.

Two of the days we traveled to Plovdiv and Sofia. In Plovdiv we visited the Historical museum, we walked through the old town and the main street and in Sofia we were in the Parliament and the church Alexander Nevsky. One of the days at school we gave them a Bulgarian dance lesson. I was impressed by the fact that the students and teachers from other countries had great desire and interest and did very well with the Bulgarian dances. The day went into songs and dances. During this week we visited the Thracian town Perperikon and the Historical Museum in Kardzhali. Some of the days after school we went out with my friends and we walked together in the city.One night, me and my guest from Germany went to a folk dance rehearsal. This was of great interest to him, to take a closer look at the Bulgarian dances. Evenings at home included various dishes from the Bulgarian cuisine. By the end of the stay, my foreign guest had the opportunity to try most of them. Time at home at night we spent with long conversations and a glass of wine. The last day with my family, we were in Greece. We walked through the coastal in the town of Alexandroupolis, took pictures of the beach as a memory, we also tried Greek cuisine.

The time spent with the foreign students was amazing and unforgettable. I met great people, we created wonderful memories together, learned a lot of things about other countries, their differences with Bulgaria.

Dilek Emin, Karzhali, Bulgaria

The week from 17th to 24th November we hosted kids from Finland, Germany and Italy. I hosted an Italian girl - Elisa. The name of our project is ,,IT and Language Teaching”. This happened with the help of the Erasmus + programme.

Our guests arrived on Sunday, 17.11.2019. On Monday we welcomed them at our school. Each country introduced itself through presentations and videos. Then we held a school rally which helped our guests to get to know Bulgaria better. Then in the afternoon we had some free time and we showed our guests around the city. On Tuesday we went to Plovdiv , the European Capital of Culture 2019, where we visited the Archaeological Museum and they showed us around the city . In the city center we had to do some interviews with strangers. We asked them questions about their foreign language knowledge since that’s the theme of the project. Then again we had some free time to go have lunch and we went shopping. On Wednesday we had some workshops in school. Our English theater group performed their play. Then we had fun teaching Bulgarian dances to the foreigners . They also taught us some of their dances. It was so fun getting to know other cultures. Then we had an international coffee break. In the afternoon we visited Perperikon- one of the iconic landmarks of our city. We all enjoyed the little trip. On Thursday, 21 November we visited Sofia- the capital of Bulgaria. We had a little problem with the bus on the way there, but we fixed that easily and went on with our trip. In Sofia we visited the Bulgarian Parliament and had some free time to eat lunch and do more interviews. On Friday we had to prepare our completed project work and interviews and then present them.Then we visited our Archaeological Museum . That night we had an awesome party where we danced some of the dances we learned, singed and had so much fun with our new friends. On Saturday we had some free time with the families. We decided to show Eliza the other landmarks of the city since the weather was raining and we couldn’t do anything else. That night the whole group gathered in a restaurant for the last time . We all shared our experience and impressions from the week. We were so happy that the guests were satisfied. They left on Sunday.

It was so interesting for me to get to know other cultures and meet different types of people. The guests were so impressed by how different and unique our culture is. I made many new friendships that will last long. The entire week was so enriching. It’s a week I will never forget and I am so thankful to Erasmus + and my school , Language High School ,,Hristo Botev’’, for giving me this opportunity.

Iliyana Tringova, Kardzhali, Bulgaria

The stay of the kids from the “Erasmus+” program and the one that stayed at our home left great memories in me.

The first few hours after her arrival were a little strange, but it was until she got used to the new environment. She liked everything from the traditional Bulgarian food and the meals we cooked at home. All the trips that were made, especially the one to the Parliament, where we met Cveta Karaqncheva made me a great impression. Rebekka gave me typical German sweets and two Advent-callendars as a gift.

My parents and I organized a nice lunch on the dam and made a little trip with a boat. I think that she liked it, so did I.

She was very thankful to my parents and I for our hospitality

All the new friendships that I made during this week will never be forgotten by me. Also all the walks around Kardzhali were one of the most interesting things that happened during this project.

I hope that they left with great memories from Kardzhali and Bulgaria. I also hope that we won’t lose contact.