annual program report - fulbright.bg · pleven, shumen, lovech, haskovo, sliven, ruse, varna,...

BULGARIAN-AMERICAN COMMISSION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE

Sofia 1000, 17 Alexander Stamboliiski Blvd., Tel. (359 2) 981 85 67, 980 82 11, 980 82 12; Fax (359 2) 988 45 17

E-mail: [email protected]; Internet: www.fulbright.bg, www.fisi-bg.info

BULGARIAN-AMERICAN COMMISSIONFOR EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE

ANNUALPROGRAM REPORT

Fiscal year: 2011 Program period:

October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011

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GRANT ACTIVITIES

During the period under review the Bulgarian-American Commission for Educational

Exchange continued to work for the implementation of the goals of the Fulbright program as

defined in the 1961 Fulbright-Hays Act and the 2003 agreement between the US Government

and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria. Its activities were structured and carried out

in accordance with the objectives outlined in the 2011 program plan:

� Support academic exchanges in all fields.

� Extend outreach to Bulgarian universities, schools and other educational institutions

to provide a greater number and diversity of applicants.

� Make special efforts to promote the Fulbright program in Bulgaria in the context of

increasing competition from European universities.

� Strengthen efforts to increase the number of Bulgarian candidates by broader publici-

ty of the Fulbright program, outreach and diversification of the Fulbright grants format,

especially non-degree opportunities for doctoral students.

� Promote the Fulbright opportunity in Bulgaria at US universities and educational insti-

tutions so as to increase the number and raise the quality of US applicants in all categories.

� Involve more actively Bulgarian and American Fulbright alumni in the promotion of

the Fulbright program.

� Assist Bulgarian universities to develop partnerships with US universities and other

institutions.

� Promote the Senior Specialist Program among potential candidates from the US and

in Bulgarian universities and educational institutions.

� Increase Fulbright presence in Bulgaria by maintaining local centers and using the

resources of American Corners and US Embassy-supported libraries.

� Provide English language training services and paper-based and computer-based test-

ing (TOEFL, GRE, LSAT, CFA, EPSO etc).

� Support the activities of the Bulgarian American Studies Association (BASA).

� Maintain efficient communication with ECA and cooperating agencies and educational

institutions in the US and Bulgaria to ensure high standards of program administration on

the basis of binationalism, peer review and professionalism.

US Grantees in AY 10-11 and AY 11-12

In AY 10-11 the number of US grantees was 27: six lecturers, four graduate students, ten

English teaching assistants, two Fulbright-Hays researchers, and five senior specialists. The

lecturers came from the following fields: law, history, journalism, and painting. They were

placed at Sofia University, New Bulgarian University, the American University, and the

National Academy of Arts. The senior specialists were experts in the following spheres: ecolo-

gy, anthropology, U.S. studies, hearing and speech sciences, and endocrinology. They were

hosted by Plovdiv University, Sofia University, New Bulgarian University, South-West

University, and the Medical University of Sofia.


Annual Program Report


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Most US senior scholars volunteered to visit and make presentations at other universities and

institutions. One scholar delivered lectures at Veliko Turnovo University, Burgas Free

University, and Plovdiv University. She also participated in two international conferences in

Bosnia and Turkey. Guest lectures were likewise arranged for another scholar at Burgas Free

University and the Police Academy in Sofia. Yet another gave four talks at the American

University in Bulgaria, Sofia University, Veliko Turnovo University and the American Research

Center of Sofia. The two professors in the field of painting presented their artwork to the wide

public through independent and joint art exhibitions (see photo gallery).

The final reports of the US lecturers and the evaluations of the partner institutions are very

positive showing that both sides were satisfied with the exchange and would like to continue

the established contacts and relationships. The most common complaints are about insufficient

teaching materials and inadequate facilities at host universities as well as difficult communi-

cation with the host institutions prior to arrival in Bulgaria.

The Commission also hosted four US graduate students in international studies, psychology, the-

ology and religion, and music (violin). They were placed at appropriate institutions, such as the

caucus of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms Party at the Bulgarian National Assembly, the

Animus Foundation, the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee and the National Academy of Music,

Dance and Fine Arts. Their research projects led to collaboration with other local and interna-

tional institutions. One of the grantees had problems with her host institution, but with the assis-

tance of the Commission staff she was able to continue and complete her project communicating

with other institutions and specialists in her field. The other grantees also finished their projects

successfully. This is evident from their mid-term and final reports. Three research students

attended the Berlin Seminar in Germany; one graduate student participated in the Seminar on

EU and NATO in Belgium and Luxembourg organized by the Belgian Fulbright Commission. The

graduate students were also invited to take part in the academic enrichment seminar on Social

and Cultural Integration in 21st Century Europe organized by the Fulbright Commission on April

7-9 in Sofia (see more details below).

With the financial support of America for Bulgaria Foundation, the English Teaching

Assistantship Program was significantly expanded and proved extremely useful for students and

hosts alike. The ETAs were placed in the following schools: Plovdiv Foreign Language School,

Plovdiv; St. Kliment Ohridski Foreign Language High School, Blagoevgrad; Romain Rolland

Foreign Language High School, Stara Zagora; Foreign Language High School, Pleven; Ivan

Vazov Foreign Language High School, Smolyan; Nikola Vaptzarov Foreign Language High

School, Shumen; First English Language High School, Sofia; Exarch Yossif Foreign Language

High School, Lovech; Professor Assen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Haskovo; Geo

Milev Foreign Language High School in Dobrich. The Commission staff maintained regular con-

tact with the grantees and host institutions, paid visits to the schools, and organized a wrap-up

seminar in April that offered each grantee the opportunity to present his/her work, discuss prob-

lems and ways of avoiding them, and strengthen the network of mentor teachers and principals.

The attending principals had a special session to propose possibilities for contributing to the pro-

gram, e.g. providing free housing and Bulgarian language training for the ETAs.

Around the end of the school year, three teaching assistants initiated a research project on cre-

ating Internet space for their students to discuss various topics and above their life and expe-

rience in Bulgaria. The project is named Yarn and represents a collection of interviews with

students from three Bulgarian Foreign Language High Schools. The Commission funded the



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project and helped the ETAs complete it. The Yarn website is now incorporated into the

Fulbright Commission official webpage (http://yarn.fulbright.bg/).

Along with the core Fulbright Program, in AY 10-11 we were happy to host representatives of

the Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad and Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad

Programs. An associate professor of musicology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-

Champaign worked closely with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences on a research project on

Bulgarian music, spirituality, gender, and postsocialism. A Ph.D. candidate from the University

of Colorado (Boulder) explored the significant role of the theatre-auteur in post-communist

Bulgaria. He observed and analyzed the work of three of the country's most successful directors.

In AY 10-11 the Fulbright Commission staff invested a lot of effort to popularize the Fulbright

Senior Specialist Program. As a result, five specialists were invited to work with New Bulgarian

University, the South-West University in Blagoevgrad, Sofia University, Plovdiv University, and

the Medical Academy in Sofia. Their projects combined lecturing with faculty consulting and

participation in conferences. The specialists initiated various forms of collaboration between

their institutions in the US and the Bulgarian hosts: exchange of students and faculty; consul-

tations on curriculum development; joint laboratory research and joint publications.

To help the US grantees adjust more easily to the new cultural and academic environment, the

Commission staff invited them to attend the annual two-week Fulbright International Summer

Institute held in Bansko in August 2010. Fulbright scholars, students, and ETAs were offered

a wide variety of courses, workshops, and guest lectures, with a highlight on an introductory

course to Bulgarian Culture. This course featured lectures about recent archaeological dis-

coveries, Bulgarian history, economy, politics, minorities, tourism, art, music, folklore and tra-

ditions. All grantees were highly satisfied with their FISI experience. Following their advice

and suggestions, we introduced a beginner's course in Bulgarian language in August 2011.

Also, we provided the ETAs and graduate students with additional grants to help them with

Bulgarian language instruction.

In the beginning of October 2010, the Commission staff organized a two-day orientation with

presentations, discussions, briefing from the US Embassy, and a welcome reception. The cul-

tural enrichment program that followed covered the whole academic year and included trips

to historic and natural sights, as well as informal meetings with Fulbright staff and Bulgarian

Fulbright alumni.

On April 7- 9, 2011, the Commission hosted an enrichment seminar for US graduate students

from Central and Eastern Europe, and Eurasia. The Seminar entitled Social and Cultural

Integration in 21st Century Europe was supported by ECA and IIE and gathered 35 US

Fulbright students working on projects in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia,

Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, Slovenia, Romania, and Turkey. They had the

unique opportunity to meet each other and form a network, to present their research and hear

lectures by prominent Bulgarian and American speakers. Among them were the Public Affairs

Officer at the US Embassy in Sofia, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, the Rector

of Sofia University as well as distinguished professors and scholars from Sofia University, New

Bulgarian University, the National Academy of Arts, etc. The participants were also offered a

cultural program including special presentations, a folk-style dinner, a musical performance

and a one-day trip to the historic city of Plovdiv. The evaluations of the event attest to its great

success and importance.



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The program for the AY 10-11 US grantees was implemented successfully and contributed to

the promotion of the Fulbright program in Bulgaria. The problems we encountered relate to the

lack of efficient communication between host institutions and grantees prior to their arrival, as

well as during the grant period. The Commission staff made special efforts to improve the work-

ing relations between the exchange partners with varying success.

There are still problems concerning the complicated and time-consuming procedure for obtain-

ing Bulgarian entry visas, although the staff made sure that all grantees received useful infor-

mation and instructions well in advance. Eventually, all of them obtained visas on time and

found appropriate housing. The Commission staff will continue to provide the future grantees

with timely and updated information, advice and direct help, if necessary.

Throughout the period under review, the Fulbright Commission staff maintained regular com-

munication with the officers from CIES and IIE Alexandra Squitieri and Rachel Holskin. We

appreciate their efficiency, responsiveness and willingness to solve problems promptly.

The AY 11-12 competition resulted in the selection of 29 US grantees, most of who are already

working in Bulgaria. In the senior scholar category, there are five lecturers in creative writing,

business administration, applied linguistics, law and choreography. There are four students in

ethnomusicology, filmmaking, art history and music. The English Language Teaching

Assistantship Program has been significantly expanded through the co-sponsorship of the

America for Bulgaria Foundation and includes 20 students who work in foreign language

schools in the towns of Sofia, Vratsa, Vidin, Montana, Blagoevgrad, Kardzali, Stara Zagora,

Pleven, Shumen, Lovech, Haskovo, Sliven, Ruse, Varna, Burgas, and Dobrich.

Bulgarian Grantees in AY 10-11 and AY 11-12

In the academic year under review there were 16 Bulgarian grantees in the following categories

and fields: six scholars in chemistry, fine art, plant pathology, geography, ethnology and literary

theory; six graduate students in social psychology, sociology, political science, communications,

law and business administration; two non-degree doctoral researchers in literary theory and

finance, one law intern, and one Hubert Humphrey fellow. The law internship is under a program

initiated by the Sofia Regional Court and supported by the Fulbright Commission. It involves a

two-month training at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The scholars were awarded 5-month grants to work in prestigious US universities and research

centers: Stanford University, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Agricultural Research Service

USDA, Ohio State University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania. All of them

have returned to Bulgaria. Their final reports are generally positive and express great satisfac-

tion with the Fulbright experience. The revised grant levels raised by an average of $ 300 per

month and the restructured payment schedules enabled grantees to cover extra expenses, espe-

cially during the initial months of the grant period.

Of the 8 graduate and non-degree students, four returned to Bulgaria and Europe after com-

pleting their programs. The others are still studying in the US. Their periodic reports indicate

that they are doing well and most probably will complete their degree programs successfully.

Two problems arose in the administration of the graduate student program concerning the

placement of our Ph.D. candidates, and the proof of funds for the second year of study.



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Despite excellent academic records, very high TOEFL and GRE scores, impressive professional

and community service experience, our two top principals were not offered admissions to Ph.D.

programs in social psychology and sociology. This critical situation was resolved with help from

the IIE Foreign Fulbright Program Division, and an American Fulbright doctoral student. The

social psychology candidate was offered a one-year non-degree program at DePaul University in

Chicago, which he completed successfully, and was subsequently admitted to a Ph.D. program at

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee with full scholarship. The sociology candidate was

admitted to a Master's program and has options for continuing on a Ph.D. level.

The climate of economic restrictions has made universities less inclined to offer admissions in

the longer doctoral programs. The limited number of slots has intensified competition and

increased the importance of a close match between the study objectives of the candidates and

the research focus of the host institution.

Another issue was the requirement for the Bulgarian graduate students to submit proof of funds,

tuition, fees, and living expenses for AY 2011-12, by April 15, 2011, in order to have their J-1 visas

extended. This requirement was enforced with particular strictness on graduate students in the New

York area and jeopardized the visa extension of one grantee. It was through last minute resources

that her participation in the program for the next year was secured. Consequently, we advise our

grantees to take this financial requirement into consideration when accepting admission offers.

The recipient of the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship completed his research in the field of law suc-

cessfully and returned home hoping to be able to contribute to the successful completion of the

Bulgarian legal reform.

The publicity campaign for the AY 2011-2012 competition yielded a total of 48 applications: 32 for

graduate study grants, 13 in the senior scholar category, and three for Hubert Humphrey fellow-

ships. Five scholars were finally selected in the following fields: philosophy, animal breeding, bio-

geochemistry, dental medicine, and environmental science. Four of them have already started their

projects at prestigious US institutions: University of California at Riverside, Rice University,

University of Florida, Gainesville, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. One scholar

will begin his programs in March, 2012 at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

In the student category six students were approved and are currently enrolled in Master's pro-

grams in electronic commerce, graphic design, business administration, law, and comparative lit-

erature. Our graduate students are strong and highly motivated and therefore, it is not surprising

that they were admitted to prestigious universities with financial support: New York University -

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Savannah College of Art & Design - Graduate School, Emory

University - Goizueta Business School, Boston University - School of Law, and University of Texas

at Austin - Graduate School, and the University of Oklahoma at Norman.

One six-month non-degree study grant was awarded to a doctoral student working on a Ph.D.

thesis in economics at the University of Rochester - Simon Graduate School of Business.

The joint scholarship with Thanks to Scandinavia Institute was awarded for a fifth consecutive

year. The grantee is enrolled in a master's program in law at Boston University - School of Law.

The finalist in the Sofia Regional Court Internship Program was awarded a two-month training

grant at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.



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Two research scholarships for the Study of Civil Society (joint with CEE Trust) were awarded for

AY 2011-12. A photographer from National Geographic - Bulgaria was invited to document the

traditions and culture of the Crow Tribe at Crow Agency (Baaxuwuaashe), Montana, and an

expert in media studies recently started his research on the freedom of speech in the new media

at the Center for International Media Assistance - National Endowment for Democracy,

Washington, D.C.

Our nominee for a Hubert Humphrey fellowship in AY 11-12, a leading Bulgarian radio journal-

ist, was successful in the final stage of selection and is currently based at the University of

Maryland, College Park, MD.

On June 24, 2011, the Fulbright Commission staff conducted a one-day orientation for the

departing Bulgarian grantees. Participating in the program were Commission staff members, US

Embassy officials, US Fulbright grantees, and Bulgarian Fulbright alumni.

The grants competition for AY 12-13 was announced in November 2010, with a deadline on May

2, 2011. The Commission staff publicized the program as extensively and effectively as possible

using all available means and media: the Internet, including social media as YouTube, Facebook

and Twitter, the press, the radio and television, posters, letters to alumni, outreach, consulta-

tions, and press conferences. The competition deadline was scheduled earlier in the calendar to

allow the selected candidates to present test scores after the nominations.

As a result, a total of 80 applications were received by the deadline: 54 for graduate study grants

and 26 in the senior scholar category. This dramatic increase since last year (almost two-fold) is due

to a number of factors: 1) the advertisement campaign ventured into the most popular electronic

media and into new venues like the Metropolitan advert system; 2) the introduction of online docu-

ment submission facilitated the application process considerably; 3) the Fulbright grants provide

an opportunity for academic development for Bulgarian scholars and researchers in a climate of

diminished emphasis on education in the national political agenda. Conversely, there was no

interest in the Hubert Humphrey fellowships, as mid-career professionals seem reluctant to leave

their positions for a year in an environment of financial uncertainty and rising unemployment.

The interviewing committees nominated 7 principal and five alternate candidates for graduate

study programs in organizational psychology, law, urban design, journalism, business administra-

tion, gender studies and folk singing; five principals and two alternate candidates for senior

scholar grants in phonology, e-literature and e-publishing, chemistry, sociology, logopedics, and

political science; one principal and one alternate candidate for the Research Scholarship for the

Study of Civil Society co-sponsored by the Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe.

Grantee Accomplishments in AY 10-11

Three English Teaching Assistants, Dena Fehrenbacher, Kate Maley and Hillary Traugh, developed

a story project called "YARN". A number of short audio interviews with Bulgarian high school stu-

dents create one big story that showcases youth voices and relates the unique experience of being

a teenager in Bulgaria. The "YARN" website http://yarn.fulbright.bg/, supported by the Bulgarian

Fulbright Commission, is a useful resource for current English Teaching Assistants.

Laura Mohs, Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at Romain Rolland Foreign Language School

in Stara Zagora, directed and produced a performance of William Shakespeare's Much Ado



9

about Nothing. The production included students ranging from ninth to twelfth grade, special-

izing in English, French and German. After several months of rehearsals, the cast opened the

show at the theater in Stara Zagora to the enthusiastic response of the local community and the

students. This performance marks the first English language production at Romain Rolland in

over ten years. All proceeds from the show went to a fund that would help in establishing a con-

tinued English theater program at the school (see picture in the Photo Gallery).

Three US Fulbright Scholars in the fields of art and choreography demonstrated their talent to

the Bulgarian audience. Prof. Diane Edison from the University of Georgia and her host Prof.

Ekaterina Russinova from New Bulgarian University presented a joint exhibition at Mission

Gallery in Sofia. Prof. Janet Gilmore-Bryan from Virginia Commonwealth University exhibited

her works at the Art Gallery of the Applied Arts Faculty in her host institution the National

Academy of Art, Sofia (see pictures in the Photo Gallery).

Kathryn Olive Posin (Fulbright Scholar for AY 2011-12) visited the National Opera and Ballet in

Sofia and staged the dance performance "Stepping Stones" as a part of the American Ballet for

Bulgaria initiative (see pictures in the Photo Gallery).

Prof. Oleg Gotchev, Fulbright Visiting Scholar from the National Academy of Art, Sofia (2010-

2011) together with his students at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford created the collabora-

tive mural painting Human and Science. The mural is exhibited at the central lobby of the uni-

versity administrative building. Apart from his work at the Fine Arts Department Prof. Gotchev

was invited to present his works and the art of Bulgarian mural painting to faculty and students

at Pittsburgh-Bradford. The presentation included a lecture and an exhibition at the KOA Art

Gallery, Blaisdell Hall: The Art of Oleg Gotchev and the Development of the Contemporary

Bulgarian Mural Paintings, March 18 - April 15, 2011. This event was amply covered by the local

media (see pictures in the Photo Gallery).

NON-GRANT ACTIVITIES

During the year under review educational advising continued to be an important compo-

nent of the Commission's non-grant activities. In the context of Bulgaria's integration with

the European Union, the still strong competition from European universities and the glob-

al economic and financial crisis, it is becoming increasingly important to have an effective

instrument of promoting American education and the Fulbright program.

In AY 2010-2011 the Commission continued to expand outreach all across Bulgaria,

especially in the underserved regions. Our attention was focused on university stu-

dents, high school students and representatives of ethnic minorities.

Our activity resulted in a significant improvement and growth of contacts with institu-

tions and individuals. Another important indicator is the dramatic increase of website

visitors: 18 288 in AY 2009-10 and 58 938 in AY 2010-11.

Here is a cross-section of educational advising, language training and testing activities

in AY 10-11 according to type of communication and territorial distribution:


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Worth mention is the Commission's regular participation and involvement in national and interna-

tional educational exhibitions and fairs:

The education fairs presented a great opportunity for approximately 1 500 students, scholars, par-

ents, educators, international relations officers, scholarship administrators, career officers, and

all those interested in international education to find out more about studying in the US, and the

Fulbright program in particular.

Outreach activities included meetings of educational adviser Snezhana Teneva with 550 students

at the Technical University of Sofia; the University of National and World Economy, Sofia; City

University, Pravetz; International University College, Dobrich; American Corner, Sofia City

Library; William Shakespeare English Language High School, Sofia; Second English Language

High School, Sofia; Sofia High School of Mathematics; First English Language High School, Sofia;

National Math and Science High School, Sofia; Lovech Foreign Language High School, and

Dobrich Foreign Language High School.

During the International Education Week (November 15-19, 2010) a number of activities were car-

ried out attracting the attention of students, professors, high-school teachers, educators, profes-

sionals and parents.

A highlight of the 2010 IEW was the official launch of the 2012-2013 Fulbright grants competition

at the American Corner in the Sofia City Library on November 15. Dr. Julia Stefanova, Fulbright

Commission Executive Director gave a talk on the Fulbright program and the annual competition

followed by two more presentations by Dr. Dimiter Iliev from the Sofia University Digital Center

and Dr. Iona Sarieva, Fulbright alumna.

Among the activities planned to mark IEW were the visits of Fulbright Commission Executive

Director Julia Stefanova and staff members to language schools hosting ETAs: Plovdiv English

Language School, Stara Zagora Foreign Language School, Haskovo English Language School,

Smolyan Foreign Language School, Lovech Foreign Language School, Pleven Foreign Language

School, Shumen Foreign Language School, and Dobrich Foreign Language School. Dr. Stefanova

met with school principals, mentor teachers and ETAs to discuss the program, its results and

potential for further improvement and expansion whereas EducationUSA adviser Snezhana

Teneva made presentations on undergraduate study in the US to hundreds of high school students.

Worth mentioning is also the implementation of English-Language classes for economically disad-

vantaged and Roma students from grades 1st - 8th at Vassil Levski Primary and Elementary School

in the village of Novachene, Botevgrad, within the International Education Week. The classes are

conducted by teacher Iliana Dimitrova. The lessons focus on vocabulary and grammar. All the stu-

dents participate enthusiastically in class and are showing good progress.

October 2010 Begin Group Education Fair in Sofia

November 2010 Career Fair at Sofia Technical University (over 200 students stopped at the Fulbright booth)

December 2010 Career in Bulgaria? Why Not?, Sofia

March 2011 Job Tiger Career Fair, Sofia; Career Fair at the International University College, Dobrich

April 2011 Career Fair at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia

June 2011 Career Fair at Sofia University



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During and around the IEW, the Fulbright advising center in Sofia was visited by representatives

of three US colleges: Vassar College, NY; Ramapo College, NJ, and Lafayette College, PA. They pre-

sented their institutions and programs to Bulgarian students.

To sum up, over 1000 individuals and representatives of institutions interested in international

education and exchange activities attended 2010 IEW events and learned about study opportuni-

ties in the United States.

In FY 2011 the Commission received two competitive grants from ECA/A/S each amounting to $

12,000 to strengthen outreach activities. As a result, the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission was

able to upgrade and improve the resources of the Fulbright advising center, the Fulbright lan-

guage training center and the local information centers. The funds were used to train ETAs to do

advising at their host schools; to develop a website for ETAs and Bulgarian students; to purchase

books, materials, equipment, software, promotional items, publicity materials; to provide free

English language training to underserved students.

We highly appreciate the financial support from ECA/A/S/A for educational advising as it yields

truly impressive results.

On August 8-20, 2011, the Commission held its 10th Fulbright International Summer Institute in

Bansko and celebrated its tenth anniversary. A total of 90 students from 15 countries participat-

ed in the event: Bulgaria, USA, Albania, Belarus,Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary,

Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, UK and Ukraine. Distinguished lecturers from Bulgaria, US and

Equador, most of them Fulbright alumni, conducted thirteen interdisciplinary courses in a wide

variety of fields. Intensive Bulgarian language instruction was provided for the US Fulbright

grantees. Ambassador James Warlick delivered a lecture on US-Bulgarian relations and PAO Ken

Moskowitz conducted a workshop on practical public diplomacy for all FISI participants. A special

two-day orientation for ETAs was also organized with the participation of mentor teachers from

the schools hosting ETAs.

FISI 2011 was another remarkable success crowning the end of the first decade of its glorious his-

tory. Since its start in 2002, FISI has hosted a total of 579 participants from 39 countries. The

FISI courses have been conducted by 81 lecturers from 41 institutions from Bulgaria, USA,

Canada, UK, Equador etc.

PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Dr. Julia Stefanova, Executive Director of the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission participated in the

annual NAFSA conference held in Vancouver, Canada, May 29 - June 3, 2011.

Financial officer Anastassia Miteva participated in a financial administrators workshop in

Amsterdam, April 10 - 13, 2011.

Program officer Rada Kaneva participated in a Fulbright Commission staff workshop in

Washington D.C., October 31 - November 6, 2010.

Program officer Maria Kostova participated in a Fulbright Commission staff workshop in Vienna,

August 30 - September 3, 2011.



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GENERAL FACTORS IMPACTING THE PROGRAM

Economic crisis

During the period under review the global economic crisis continued to affect negatively

Bulgarian economy and all other spheres of socio-political and cultural life, including educa-

tion. Foreign investments remained below the level of previous years; unemployment stayed

above 10%; although the rate of economic growth slightly recovered in 2010 (+0,2% compared

to the negative - 4.9% in 2009) and the budget deficit of 4,7% in 2009 dropped to 3,1% in 2010,

the general standards of living remained low and Bulgaria continues to be the poorest country

in the European Union.

To cope with the deficit, the Bulgarian government introduced dramatic cuts in the budgets for

education and culture in 2010. The situation did not change much in 2011 either and the share

of education in the GDP remained very low. In the proposed budget for 2012, its share will

remain more or less the same (3.37%. of the GDP). The planned slight increase of about USD

123 M in the budget of the Ministry of Education and Science will be used mostly to support

schools.

Insufficient funding and the slow and ineffective appropriation of EU financial resources con-

tinues to erode the quality of teaching and learning and discourages young university gradu-

ates to pursue academic careers; university faculty are looking for job opportunities either

abroad or outside the education sector; financial problems demotivate school leavers to con-

tinue their studies at university level and they prefer to work; the low educational standards

make the best and the brightest seek study opportunities at foreign universities; demograph-

ic issues are also a factor accounting for the decreasing number of potential students.

Universities are engaged in strong competition for students that often leads to unwarranted

liberalization and even minimization of admission requirements.

As mentioned earlier, the results of the AY 2012-13 competitions indicate an almost two-fold

increase in the number of applicants compared to last year. It looks like the negative trend in

the last five years has now changed direction. The explanation for this positive development

should be sought in the operation of several factors: technically, credit should be given to the

Fulbright staff for dramatically improving the publicity strategy by using extensively electron-

ic media and social networks; involving more actively Fulbright alumni; reaching BG students

in Europe; online application submission; more time for preparation etc. In more general

terms, however, the heightened interest in the Fulbright program seems to stem from the

reduced opportunities for academic and professional realization at home due to restrictive gov-

ernment policies, financial difficulties and a measure of disappointment with the standards in

some European educational institutions.

Educational opportunities in Europe

European education continues to be a great attraction for Bulgarian undergraduate and grad-

uate students. The reasons for this fairly stable trend are: low tuition fees, geographic proxim-

ity, inexpensive travel, no visa problems, prospects for professional realization, and a height-



15

ened sense of cultural belonging to Europe. Recent statistics indicate that over 20% of the

Bulgarian students would like to continue their education outside of Bulgaria. The preferred

destinations remain more or less the same: Germany, Austria, France, Spain, and more recent-

ly the Scandinavian countries. Interest in UK has recently decreased because of higher tuition

fees. European colleges and universities continue to aggressively advertise their programs

through periodic educational fairs, visits of their representatives to Bulgarian schools and uni-

versities, and extensive information on the Internet.

English language proficiency

The level of English language proficiency is still a problem and an increasing financial chal-

lenge, especially with regard to the fees for preparatory courses and computerized tests

(TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT). The Bulgarian Fulbright Commission is actively involved in the

effort to expand and upgrade English language training services by offering various courses at

its Language center in Sofia and some of its local info-centers, e.g. Shumen, Veliko Turnovo,

Sliven, Smolyan, Kardzali, Vidin. Free language training sponsored by the Commission is

offered to Roma children in the town of Vidin and for Roma children at the village of

Novachene near Botevgrad. The expanded ETA program contributes significantly to upgrading

the level of English language teaching and learning.

Rising cost of US education

The tuition in most US universities continues to increase (in AY 2010-11 by about 8% compared

to AY 2009-10) and financial aid, teaching assistantships and job opportunities on campus are

diminishing. These factors are still diverting Bulgarian students to European institutions.

Since 2005 the number of Bulgarian students studying at US universities has decreased steadi-

ly: in AY 05-06 there were 3633 students; in AY 06-07 they were 3478; in AY 07-08 the num-

ber dropped to 3205; in AY 08- 09 it was 2889; in AY 2009-10 - 2450.

Because of financial problems, quite a few US universities require evidence and guarantees of

financial support for the second year from the Bulgarian Fulbright students as a condition for

admission or partial financial assistance. This is posing a serious challenge to the grant bud-

get and the general grant policy of the Fulbright Commission, viz. urgent need to identify addi-

tional funding resources or else decrease the number of graduate study grants.

Support from America for Bulgaria Foundation

Over the last three years the Bulgarian Fulbright Commission has established very productive

cooperation with the America for Bulgaria Foundation. In 2009 the Commission received a

three-year grant of $ 120 000 from the Foundation to expand the Fulbright International

Summer Institute. As a result, the number of participants has almost doubled. In 2010 the

Commission received another grant of $ 100 000 to increase the number of ETAs in Bulgaria.

Thus, a total of 10 US students were involved in English language training at language high

schools all over Bulgaria. In AY 2010-11 the Commission received another grant of $ 240 000

from the Foundation to host 20 ETAs in Sofia, Pernik, Blagoevgrad, Sliven, Burgas, Haskovo,

Stara Zagora, Kardzali, Lovech, Pleven, Ruse, Vidin, Varna, Vratsa, Montana, Dimitrovgrad,

Shumen, and Dobrich. This is a twofold increase over last year.



16

Although the administration of the ETA program places more responsibility and effort on the

Fulbright staff, we highly appreciate the ABF support because the results of the Fulbright

presence at the host schools are more than visible and highly motivating.

We strongly hope that our relationship with ABF will continue and further expand because it

substantially helps the ongoing reform in Bulgarian school and university education.

Support from Thanks to Scandinavia Institute

In FY 2011 the Commission received $ 20 000 from the Thanks to Scandinavia Institute to sup-

port one Bulgarian Fulbright graduate student.

We greatly appreciate the assistance of our US partners and hope that our cooperation will

continue in spite of financial constraints.

Support from the Trust for Civil Society in Central andEastern Europe

In FY 2011 the Commission received $ 10,400 from the CEE Trust to fund two joint scholar-

ships that were awarded to two Bulgarian NGO officers. They completed their projects suc-

cessfully. We value our relationship with the CEE Trust and will work to further expand our

productive cooperation.

ADMINISTRATION, BUDGET, FUND-RAISING,

INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES

In FY 2011 the total Commission budget amounted to $ 1,180,000, including:

� $ 702,000 funding from ECA/US Department of State;

� $ 140,000 funding from the Bulgarian government;

� $ 240,000 grant from America for Bulgaria Foundation to support 20 English Teaching

Assistants in language schools in Bulgaria;

� $ 40,000 of the three-year grant of $ 120,000 from America for Bulgaria Foundation to

support the Fulbright International Summer Institute (FISI);

� $ 20,000 support from the Thanks to Scandinavia Institute for the joint grant to a

Bulgarian graduate student established in 2007;

� $ 10,400 cost-sharing by the Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe for

two joint scholarships to Bulgarian researchers for the study of civil society;

� $ 24,000 EducationUSA advising grants;

� $ 3,600 funding from a joint educational project of Sofia University and the Fulbright

Commission

Students at the Fulbright International Summer Institute paid a total of $39,000 participation

fees. An in-kind contribution of about $53,500 was added to the FY2011 Fulbright program

budget by host Bulgarian high schools and universities for free housing and free 50-hour



17

Bulgarian language training to English Teaching Assistants; US lecturers' salaries; housing,

meals and transportation for US senior specialists; free office space and utilities for five

regional Fulbright centers.

The administrative costs in FY 2011 amounted to 15.25% of the total funding. The share of

administrative and advising costs in FY 2011 was 19.57 % of the total funding, as against

18.36% in FY 2010 and 21.97% in FY 2009.

Some of the AY 11-12 Bulgarian students found sponsors for their programs and contributed a

total of $ 15,000 to the BG student grant budget.

During the period under review, the Fulbright Commission continued to carry out income-gen-

erating activities: iBT TOEFL, GRE and EPSO exam administration, English language training

and preparatory courses for TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and SAT. This is the contribution of the

Fulbright staff to the Fulbright program that directly goes into the Commission's Program

Development Fund.

The general factors impacting the program in FY 2011 continued to negatively affect the

Commission's supplemental activities. Income from testing (TOEFL and GRE) remained low

because of the competition from other iBT testing centers in Bulgaria. The financial crisis

resulted in a significant drop in the number of corporate clients for English language training.

Nonetheless, the overall result of the income-generating activities of the Commission is posi-

tive with a net cash flow of $4,000.

The administration of the EPSO (European Personnel Selection Office) exam at the computer-

testing center for recruiting Bulgarian citizens to work at EU institutions in Brussels contin-

ued to be quite successful (see statistics on p. 10).

We do believe in the importance of the Commission's supplemental activities because:

� they help enhance the image of the Commission all over Bulgaria

� they help popularize the Fulbright program by offering a complete service cycle:

English language training from elementary to advanced level, preparation for all US stan-

dardized tests, paper-based and computer-based testing, information and advising on educa-

tional opportunities in the US, including the Fulbright and other related programs, the actual

Fulbright competition and a good chance to receive a Fulbright award.

In conclusion, I would like to thank all the members of the Fulbright staff for their profession-

alism, responsibility and dedication to the Fulbright program. I would also like to personally

thank all the members of the Fulbright Commission Board for their help, cooperation and com-

mitment to the Fulbright goals. Their contribution of time, support and guidance are crucial

for the successful administration of the program.

The Bulgarian Fulbright Commission deeply appreciates the support of ECA to the Fulbright

program in Bulgaria, the efficiency and commitment of its officers, above all Mary Ellen

Koenig, Micaela Iovine and Scott Righetti, and all our partners and colleagues from CIES

and IIE.



18

Visit of ECA Academic Exchange Specialist

Scott Righetti to Bulgaria

Official Launch of 2012-2013 Fulbright Grants Competition

October 2010

Scott Righetti and

the Fulbright

Commission staff

Joint presentation of the Fulbright Commission and Sofia University Digital Center,

November 15, American Corner at Sofia City Library

November 2010International Education Week



19

Visits to Foreign Language High Schools Hosting ETAs

Lovech


Pleven Dobrich

Shumen



20

Visits to Foreign Language High Schools Hosting ETAs

Outreach to High Schools and Universities

Stara Zagora Haskovo


University of National and World Economy, Sofia

Foreign Language High School in Dobrich Foreign Language High School in Lovech



21

U.S. University Presentations and Interviews

Free English Language Training for Disadvantaged Students

Lafayette College, PA Vassar College, NY and Ramapo College, NJ


November 2010

An English class for Roma students at “Vassil Levski” Primary and Elementary School in

the village of Novachene, Botevgrad district

Cultural Enrichment Activities for U.S. Grantees

One-day trip to Koprivstitsa One-day trip to Plovdiv



22

After Three Months in Bulgaria

December 2010

Trip to Rila Monastery


February 2011

U.S. grantees reporting on the progress of their projects

Informal party at the Fulbright Language Training Center to mark the Bulgarian National

Holiday, March 3rd



23

Outreach Activities

March 2011

2011 EducationUSA Scholarship to Westminster College, Utah

April 2011

Over 500 students and professionals visited

the Fulbright booth at the National Career

Fair in Sofia

Eduard Pishiyski, a Bulgarian student nominated by educational adviser Snezhana Teneva,

has won a full scholarship from Westminster College

Approximately 100 high school students

attended the presentation of the educational

adviser on undergraduate study in the U.S. at

the American Corner of Sofia City Library



24

Cultural Enrichment Seminar on Social and Cultural Integration

in 21st Century Europe for U.S. Graduate Students

April 2011

Wrap-up Seminar for

Fulbright English

Teaching Assistants,

AY 2010-11

Among the distinguished participants in the

Seminar was Dr. Iovine Micaela, Senior Prog-

ram Officer at the Bureau of Educational and

Cultural Affairs of DOS (first from right to left)

Trip to Plovdiv

Official Opening: from left to right,

Dr. Julia Stefanova, Executive

Director, Fulbright Commission, and

Ivanka Tzankova, Director,

Programs for Education and

Libraries, America for Bulgaria

Foundation

Professor Ivan Ilchev, Rector of Sofia

University, delivering a lecture on the history

of the Balkan nations

A panel session



25

Wrap-up Seminar for Fulbright English Teaching Assistants,

AY 2010-11


April 2011

Pre-departure

Orientation for

Bulgarian Fulbright

Grantees, AY 2011-2012

June 2011

Participants Presentation of the ETA and the mentor

teacher from the Foreign Language School in

Lovech

One-day trip to Melnik and Rozhen Monastery

Dr. Julia Stefanova, Executive

Director of the Bulgarian

Fulbright Commission, address-

ing the new group of Bulgarian

Fulbright grantees



26

Final Nominations for

Bulgarian Fulbright

Grantees in AY 2012-13

June 2011

Fulbright Interview, June, 2011

Members of the nomination commit-

tee (from left to right): Dr. Julia

Stefanova, Executive Director,

Fulbright Commission; Sherry

Keneson-Hall, CAO, U.S. Embassy

and Dr. Iona Sarieva, Fulbright

alumna

Orientation for English

Teaching Assistants in

Bansko

Fulbright International

Summer Institute,

Bansko

August 2011

Official FISI Opening

From left to right: Dr. Julia

Stefanova, FISI Director;

Petya Evtimova, Deputy Minister,

Ministry of Education,

Youth and Science; Ken

Moskowitz, PAO, US Embassy;

Alexander Kravarov, Mayor of

Bansko; Ivanka Tzankova,

Program Director, America for

Bulgaria Foundation



27

Fulbright International Summer Institute, Bansko

August 2011

FISI class

Trip to the Fish Lake,

Pirin Mountains

Farewell party Awarding certificates

to 2011 FISI graduates

Trip to Rila

Monastery



28

Fulbright International Summer Institute, Bansko

August 2011

Cultural Orientation for U.S. Grantees

U.S. University Presentations and Interviews

September 2011

FISI Closing 2011 FISI participants

The U.S. grantees in AY 2011-12 Trip to Plovdiv

Presentations from Stanford University and Wellesley College



29

YARN Website Much Ado about Nothing

ETAs Hillary Traugh, Dena Fehrenbacher

and Kate Maley (from left to right)

present their project idea at the ETA Wrap-

up Seminar, Sofia, April 28-29, 2011

Students from the Foreign Language School

in Stara Zagora performing Much Ado about

Nothing under the direction of ETA Laura

Mohs

Serigraphy Prints and Works on Paper

Exhibition of Fulbright grantee Prof. Janet Gilmore-Bryan

at the National Academy of Fine Art in Sofia

Fulbright Accomplishments

Drawing

Across Borders

Joint exhibition of Fulbright grantee

Diane Edison and Prof. Ekaterina

Russinova at Mission Gallery in Sofia



30

Fulbright Accomplishments

The Art of Oleg Gotchev

Balanchine & Farrell Ballet

Fulbright grantee Oleg Gotchev and

his students in front of the collabo-

rative mural "Human and Science",

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

Art lecture and exhibition of Fulbright grantee Oleg Gotchev at the University of Pittsburgh-

Bradford

American Ballet for Bulgaria

Choreographers: Fulbright grantee Kathryn

Olive Posin and Momchil Mladenov


ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORTFiscal year: 2011

Program period: October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011

annual program report - fulbright.bg · pleven, shumen, lovech, haskovo, sliven, ruse, varna,...

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