First, can you tell us more about yourself. Where do you come from, what do you study back home, a little bit about your interests...
My name is Zornitsa, but everybody here call me Zori. I am 20 years old. Back home in Bulgaria I'm studying Public Relations in Sofia university, the biggest and the oldest one in my country. I am in my third year now and I have one more to finish a bachelor degree. But as a matter of fact, I'm more interested in working as a journalist later on than as a PR. What else? I love singing and dancing and I am very, very curious! I believe there are lots of interesting people out there and I am always keen on discovering them. The more diversity, the better and more fun!
How do you find your Erasmus experience? Is it different from what you had expected before coming?
I just love it! I had some burdens before coming because it was my first time going abroad for such a long time, away from my family and friends. But now I know it was definitely worthed and I can strongly recommend to everybody: Go Erasmus! I enjoy a lot every time we gather together with the other people from the class. We have had great parties together and i will really miss that when i go back home!
What about Belgium? Why did you choose to come here in Antwerp?
Well, to be honest, I didn't choose Belgium for my Erasmus at the first time. i wanted to go to Portugal and I was really passionate about the idea of going there. But i didn't know Portuguese and this turned out to be a problem. I was proposed to go to Belgium instead and I just said: OK! But now I'm really glad of my choice because i enjoy Belgium a lot!
How do you find Belgium then? Is it too different from your own culture?
I do like Belgium a lot, but it is quite different form my own culture. Which doesn't mean that it is different in the bad way. It is just that people are more reserved and not so passionate according to me, but there are really helpful and friendly at the same time. And what I really love about Antwerp is the diversity, it's great that you can meet people from everywhere around the world here in this small town.
Has your experience here as an Erasmus changed you in any way?If yes,in what way?
Well, that is a hard question, because I think that if I have changed, I will realize that later on, when I come back home. But what I have understood here is that I don't want to live in another country for a long period of time. I like my life in Bulgaria and I really miss the people that I care about. But at the same time i realized that I love travelling and from now on I will spend every cent on going abroad and meeting new people.
If you could take something from here to your country what would it be?
Oh, a lot of things. I was just considering Christmas presents and I realized I would like to buy so many things from here for my people. But definitely Belgium beer for my father. He will appreciate it a lot! And also Gouda cheese and waffles - I love them!
What is the thing you least like about Antwerp?
Well, I really can not understand why everything must be closed in Sunday! What do the Belgium people do in Sunday? And then it is said that southern people are lazy and do not want to work. This could not happen in Bulgaria. You can find shops and supermarkets working all the time. That is what I don't like here - Sundays are boring.:)
If you had the chance would you come and live here in Antwerp?
As I already said I cannot imagine myself living abroad for a long time and no, I wouldn't stay here if I had that chance. But that's because It's just I'm that kind of person - too patriotic maybe, i don't know. But i will miss Antwerp a lot because I had great time here. And the people I have met - that I will miss most! And I will really like to come back someday.:)
NAME: Zornitza Stoilova
COUNTRY: Bulgaria
AGE: 20
STUDIES: PUBLIC RELATIONS IN SOFIA UNIVERSITY
INTERESTS: Singing and dancing
CAREER: Journalist