Two months in Bulgaria: growth, challenges and friendships

Three students from Escola Ginebró had the opportunity to participate in a learning mobility program in Sofia, thanks to Erasmus+. Upon their return, two of them shared their experiences with us!

Marc Capel

I was selected for the Erasmus+ program in Sofia, Bulgaria, with the goal of completing the internship for my higher education degree in computer science. On the way there, I was quite nervous, as I was going to spend two months completely outside of my comfort zone, without my family or loved ones, in a completely different environment where few people understand English. In short, it was a very big change.

Upon landing, our internship and accommodation supervisor met us at the airport. We then went to the first apartment where we stayed for a few days. There, he showed us the apartment, the office, and explained everything necessary to settle in and get oriented.

A few days later, after the group of Italians who had been staying in the apartment in the same building as the office left, we moved there. This change meant a great improvement in terms of comfort, as the difference between the first and second apartments was significant. Additionally, having the office just two doors away was very convenient.

I felt very comfortable at work. We were assigned the development of a mobile app similar to an “academy,” where users could register and view courses, whose videos were hosted on YouTube and integrated into our app. Users could also take tests for each course using embedded Google Forms. Teachers could register using a “secret” key to verify their identity and prevent students from registering as instructors. This allowed them to add, modify, and delete courses.

Once that application was completed, we were assigned another project: an aroma humidifier. We got to work on the prototype, which included 3D design, electronics, and the mobile application. We designed the casing, 3D-printed it using a resin printer, assembled the electronics with a Raspberry Pi, and developed the corresponding app.

Thanks to all of this, I have learned to trust myself more professionally, realizing that I am capable of facing many challenges, even using tools and technologies I had never used before. I understood that if I encounter a problem, I shouldn’t give up but keep going until I solve it, looking for alternatives when obstacles arise.

But without a doubt, what I cherish most is the people I met who accompanied me throughout this experience. As more people arrived and we got to know each other, everything became more enjoyable: we made plans together, laughed, cooked, watched movies… countless moments that brought us closer and, in the end, make me emotional as I write this on the plane back to Barcelona.

So, for me, the most valuable thing I take away from this experience is having met these people, who have been a great support and whom I hope to see again in the future.

With this, I say goodbye to this incredible experience, which I would definitely repeat. I would participate in more Erasmus+ programs again, as I believe they help you grow a lot as a person, facing new situations, stepping out of your comfort zone, learning to work with people from other countries and fields, and, above all, for the people who accompany you through the process. For me, that is the most beautiful thing I take away from this adventure.

Aleix Alvaro

The first few days in Bulgaria were quite strange and somewhat difficult. We were in an apartment where we didn’t feel very comfortable, and between that and adapting to the country, that first week felt a bit challenging. But once we were moved to a different apartment, everything started to improve significantly. The new apartment was in the same building as the company, so convenience increased a lot.

The first month went by quite quickly. We were working little by little, and the days at the office, although long, didn’t feel too heavy. By the second month, we began to feel somewhat overwhelmed by the workload, which made some days tougher. Even so, outside of work, we were constantly making plans, which helped a great deal. The friendships we made during the project made a real difference. Thanks to them, our free time was very enjoyable, and everything felt much more manageable.

One of the best experiences was going to the beach. I had never taken an overnight train before, and it was an experience I loved. Overall, the experience in Bulgaria was very positive. It had its difficult moments, but the people we met there made everything easier. In the end, what I take away most from this trip is precisely that: the people and everything we shared together.