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big brothers big sisters of america
stories and experiences
meet their experiences
My experience as a Mentor: Katerina’s story
My name is Katerina Pencheva, and I am a mentor in the cultural mentoring program of “Big Brothers Big Sisters – Bulgaria,” where I am paired with Julie. I work as a primary school teacher in Karlovo and am currently pursuing a PhD in Social Policy and Social Work. Alongside my academic and
Meet Nadezhda and Sisi: A connection with age-defying chemistry!
Nadezhda is 23 and describes herself as curious, active, and eager to grow. She finds balance in nature and energy in sports, and values a conscious lifestyle. Sisi, on the other hand, is 9—creative, kind, and full of imagination. She loves drawing, animals, and spending time with her family. Although they are different in age
We have the view and power to make it!
Victoria Angelova, a lecturer in psychology and social work at Plovdiv University, shares her perspective on the importance of mentoring. She highlights mentoring as the “purest form of transmission of experience” and emphasizes how it can support students in becoming socially responsible and engaged. Victoria also reflects on the motivation
Crossing Cultures in Medicine: Areeb’s Experience from Calgary to Plovdiv
My name is Areeb Ansari, and I’m a 4th-year medical student at the Medical University of Plovdiv in Bulgaria. I grew up in Canada and have always been drawn to healthcare, especially the human connection that comes with it. My educational journey has taken me from Calgary to Plovdiv, and
A Global Path to Medicine: Shreyya’s Journey of Growth and Cultural Discovery
Hi everyone! I am Shreyya. I was born in America and grew up in India, before returning to the USA for higher education. Currently, I am a medical Student at Medical University Plovdiv, Bulgaria. I have always been interested in Medicine and being involved in a field where I can
The Power of Student Mentoring Across Cultures: A Perspective from Plovdiv
By Nikolay Dobrev, Former Chairperson, Association of Pharmacy students, Medical University of Plovdiv Mentoring is often seen as a relationship where knowledge and experience are passed from one person to another. But in a university setting especially one as culturally diverse as the Medical University of Plovdiv, it becomes much
Training for Youth Workers in Pamporovo!
Between 1st and 7th of July 2024 the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bulgaria Association held the “Mentoring Without Borders” Training for Youth Workers in Pamporovo, Bulgaria. University students, university staff members and mentors from France (Afev France and Université Savoie Mont Blanc), Netherlands (NHL Stenden), Belgium (Howest) and Bulgaria
Empowering Through Mentorship: Stakeholders Speak Up
The Online Validation Workshop brought together almost 30 stakeholders, representing universities and non-profit organizations across Europe to discuss student mentoring as a tool for international impact and to state their support for the methodology of the “Bridges by Mentors” projects. Here is what the stakeholders shared: “Mentoring is a universal tool
From Greece to Bulgaria
Hello everyone, my name is Apostolos. Originally I am from Greece but the last 7 years I am residing in Bulgaria, where I took my bachelor studies in musical pedagogy, pop and jazz guitar. Right now I am finishing up my thesis for my master’s degree in PR of art
Mentoring Through Their Eyes: International Students in Bulgaria Reflect
Listen as Apostolos from Greece and Taj from the UK share their thoughts on mentoring and its importance in higher education—especially from the perspective of international students in Bulgaria. They also offer valuable advice for anyone considering becoming a mentor.
October 2023: Kick Off meeting in Plovdiv, Bulgaria!
We are thrilled to share that since September 2023, we have diligently worked to analyze our local landscapes, paving the way for the implementation of a meaningful mentoring program, encompassing: Our kick-off meeting in the beautiful city of Plovdiv allowed us to meet and share our thoughts on the implementation