„Upon returning home, I became motivated to utilize the valuable lessons and best practices I learned in Germany to help drive progress in my own country.“
What is your name? Lia Katerova
Where do you work? B EYE Ltd.
Position? Digital Marketing Specialist
Describe your work in several sentences.
As a digital marketing specialist, my main responsibilities include managing the content on B EYEs website and its social media accounts. This involves writing and researching content for articles, as well as creating case studies. I am also responsible for analyzing data and using it to inform marketing strategies in order to effectively reach and engage with our target audience.
Where have you studied/worked abroad?
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
How long have you been abroad?
Six months
When did you come back to Bulgaria?
It was 2019 when I finished my Erasmus semester
Why did you choose to return to Bulgaria?
During my Erasmus in Germany for six months, I was impressed by the remarkable German economy, infrastructure, and overall organization of their lives. Initially, I had intended to extend my stay beyond the six-month period. However, my time in Germany allowed me to gain a new perspective and appreciate the unique strengths and potential of my home country, Bulgaria. While I was inspired by the successes of the German economy, I also recognized the potential for growth and development in Bulgaria. Upon returning home, I became motivated to utilize the valuable lessons and best practices I learned in Germany to help drive progress in my own country. That is why I returned back home immediately after my scholarship ended.
Would you advise young people to return to Bulgaria? Why? Why not? What would you say to those who think there is no future in Bulgaria?
Absolutely! I strongly encourage my friends abroad to consider building their lives and careers in Bulgaria. As a developing country, Bulgaria has a great need for highly motivated and talented individuals to contribute to its success. I believe that there is a bright future for Bulgaria, and by working together as a nation, we can demonstrate this to the world.
What were the three biggest challenges you faced when you came back?
In Germany, I became used to really good organization in all aspects of life, including infrastructure, university schedules, and transportation. In contrast, I have noticed that these standards of perfection are often not as prevalent in Bulgaria. For example, upon returning to Sofia, I was surprised to find that there are only a few designated bike lanes throughout the city, unlike in Germany, where I was using my bike every day to go everywhere as transportation. Another area where I have faced challenges is recycling. While I was motivated to continue this practice upon returning to Bulgaria, I have found that the separate bins for recycling are often not as easily accessible as the regular waste bins. Additionally, it is not always clearly indicated on the packaging whether an item is recyclable or not.
What do you think are the three greatest advantages of having a life and a career in Bulgaria?
Living and working in Bulgaria has many benefits. As a developing country, there are numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. The increasing number of businesses investing in Bulgaria has made it relatively easy to find well-paying jobs. Additionally, being close to my family, friends, and taekwondo team has allowed me to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I can easily spend time with them whenever I want. Furthermore, Bulgaria has a stunning nature, and I am fortunate to be able to enjoy it all year round. In the summer, I can take short trips to the beach, and in the winter, I can hit the slopes for some snowboarding in the mountains. Overall, I feel very fortunate to call Bulgaria home.
Do you want to learn more about our team? Here you can read the interview of another of our Qlik consultants Stanislav Dyulgyarski or Machine Learning Developer Teo.
