I have just accepted an invitation to Bulgaria, leaving August 6th, and will be a “small- business and local-government development worker.” Based on your experiences, what should I expect? Do you recommend I bring anything in particular? Is their anything I can do to prepare in the next six weeks? Any suggestions are much appreciated.

By Eastern Europe RPCV (117.37.171.66.subscriber.vzavenue.net - 66.171.37.117) on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 1:47 pm: Edit Post

Devin -

Expect a very positive and challenging experience on the whole, complete with ups and downs, bad days and good. Don't overly romantisize the venture and you'll successfully navigate the "expectations gap" that all PCTs must deal with to some degree.

Take a lap top w/purge protector; resources on organizational capacity building (you'll probably get this at PST in both Eng and Bulgarian - PC/B has a good PST); an open mind and a willingness to deal with ambiguity, supported by the persistence to facilitate structure step by step with the organization to which you'll eventually be assigned.

Relax for now ... When you get to staging and PST, participate (INTER)ACTIVELY and place primary emphasis on learning the language and soaking up the host family experience (including all of the attendant frustrations and wonderful connections).

Good luck!

By mariacumero (63-228-100-90.tukw.qwest.net - 63.228.100.90) on Monday, August 09, 2004 - 1:08 pm: Edit Post

Have a good time! Do not get drunk in public and be nice to all the town dogs! Just kidding...
But do realize you are on display and during the training you will be watched by everyone...teachers, locals...etc...you might feel in a bubble...but it does get better...because once you go to your site you are alone....so consider from everyone watching to nobody there at all...it is a transition...good books, journal if you write, find ways to adjust...if you are alone at site...you might not be sent to a site with another volunteer...make friends with everyone...but do not forget the other americans in bulgaria...mormon missonaries...great resource, red cross volunteers, doctors without borders, etc..when I was in burgas these were the different groups I met...oh and teachers...lots of american teachers
Thanksgiving dinner and christmas dinner were great because we had about 20 americans and locals together to celebrate the holidays and it felt like home...it was nice...plus the red cross volunteers have great apartments because they can afford the nice 3 bedroom apartments...just a thought...

By Jacqueline Mohalley Snedeker (jacquelinem.che.gatech.edu - 130.207.78.24) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 2:21 pm: Edit Post

Announcement: Peace Corps Bulgaria 1991-1996ish Reunion planned for July 2005 in Washington, DC. We are desperately seeking Returned Peace Corps Volunteers from groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Specific "missing persons" from Bulgaria 3 include Sharon Jordan, Paul Norris, Karl Gangle, among others...

If interested, please contact Jacqueline Mohalley Snedeker: jmohalley at hotmail dot com.