qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwerty uiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasd fghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzx cvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqweA GUIDE rtyui opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfgFOR FULBRIGHT hjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcENGLISH TEACHING vbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcASSISTANTS vbnmq TO BULGARIA wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyui AY 2019 - 2020 opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfg hjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxc vbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmq wertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyui opasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfg hjklzxcvbnmrtyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbn mqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwert yuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopas dfghjklzxcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklz xcvbnmqwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmqwerty A GUIDE FOR FULBRIGHT ENGLISH TEACHING ASISTANTS AY 2019/2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS Bulgaria – history and culture .................................................................................................... 5 The Land ................................................................................................................................ 5 The People and Their History ................................................................................................ 6 State System ........................................................................................................................... 8 Major Cities and Universities ................................................................................................. 9 The Bulgarian Educational System ...................................................................................... 11 Bulgarian Schools ............................................................................................................ 11 Bulgarian Universities ...................................................................................................... 12 Customs, Courtesies and Lifestyle ....................................................................................... 15 Meeting and Greeting ....................................................................................................... 15 Visiting ............................................................................................................................. 15 Bulgarian Names .............................................................................................................. 15 Smoking ........................................................................................................................... 16 Dress Codes ...................................................................................................................... 17 Business Hours and Public Holidays ............................................................................... 17 Bulgarian Orthodox Church ............................................................................................. 17 Bulgarian Monasteries ...................................................................................................... 18 Bulgarian Festivals, Customs and Popular Beliefs .......................................................... 18 Bulgarian Cuisine ................................................................................................................. 22 GOING TO BULGARIA ......................................................................................................... 23 Sources of Preliminary Information ..................................................................................... 23 Preparation for working in Bulgaria ..................................................................................... 24 Preparation for Departure ..................................................................................................... 25 ENTRY VISA FOR FULBRIGHT GRANTEES ............................................................ 25 ENTRY VISA FOR DEPENDENTS ............................................................................... 27 USE OF DIPLOMATIC POUCH ........................................................................................ 27 Travel ............................................................................................................................... 29 Packing ............................................................................................................................. 30 Arrival in the Country .......................................................................................................... 31 YOUR STAY IN BULGARIA ................................................................................................ 32 Language .............................................................................................................................. 32 Housing ................................................................................................................................ 33 Utilities ................................................................................................................................. 34 Safety and Security ............................................................................................................... 35 Overall Information on Crime in Bulgaria ....................................................................... 35 Emergency Contact Information ...................................................................................... 35 ___________________________________________________________________________ 2 A GUIDE FOR FULBRIGHT ENGLISH TEACHING ASISTANTS AY 2019/2020 General Safety Advice While in Bulgaria ........................................................................ 36 Safety Procedures in Specific Situations .............................................................................. 38 Loss or Theft of Important Documents ............................................................................ 38 Sexual Harassment ........................................................................................................... 38 Physical or Sexual Assault ............................................................................................... 39 Emergency Preparedness in Case of Natural Disasters, Civil Unrest or Other State Emergencies ..................................................................................................................... 40 Earthquake ........................................................................................................................ 41 Severe Weather ................................................................................................................ 42 Protests and Civil Unrest .................................................................................................. 43 Terrorist Attacks ............................................................................................................... 43 Money ................................................................................................................................... 45 Managing Your Money in Bulgaria ................................................................................. 45 Grant Payments ................................................................................................................ 47 Tax Liability ..................................................................................................................... 47 Cost of Living ................................................................................................................... 48 Communications ................................................................................................................... 48 Transportation and Travel in Bulgaria and Abroad.............................................................. 51 Shopping ............................................................................................................................... 53 Supermarkets .................................................................................................................... 53 Open markets .................................................................................................................... 54 Techno Markets ................................................................................................................ 54 Shopping Malls ................................................................................................................ 54 Furniture Stores ................................................................................................................ 54 Pharmacies and Drugstores .............................................................................................. 54 Health ................................................................................................................................... 55 Cultural Events and Recreation ............................................................................................ 58 Living in a Different Culture ................................................................................................ 59 USEFUL BACKGROUND TEXTS ........................................................................................ 61 BOOKS AND GUIDES ....................................................................................................... 62 BULGARIAN LANGUAGE ............................................................................................... 63 READING RECOMMENDED BY FORMER ETAs ........................................................