In 2007 four Harvard volunteers came to Bulgaria for six weeks to teach English, computer literacy and practical life skills to thirty-eight teenage orphans from across the country.
The goal of the program organizers was to contribute to the development of the human capital of Bulgarian youth living in state supported foster homes. The program's mission is based on the belief that young people in Bulgaria have the most urgent need and would benefit the most from an intensive educational program that uses interactive approaches in order to: improve their English language fluency, teach them computer literacy and basic life skills, and stimulate them to explore new fields of interest.
In order to achieve these specific goals, the volunteers were provided with a curriculum with suggested topics to be covered and skills to be taught throughout the program.
In addition to the American volunteers, Bulgarian university and high-school students also participated in the teaching teams. Having Bulgarian speakers on board facilitated communication with the students and allowed the international volunteers to make friends with people their age from the country. Thus STEP Bulgaria served as a bridge between volunteers from abroad as well as from Bulgaria and local teenagers lacking parental care, in an effort to provide the latter with practical skills and useful information related to their professional and academic life after graduating from high school. This step should allow volunteers and students to establish lasting bonds among one another.
Location and Schedule
Last year's STEP Bulgaria program was located both in and around the two biggest Bulgarian cities: Sofia (the capital) and Plovdiv. The students came from foster homes in Sofia, Plovdiv, Gabrovo, Berkovitsa and Dolna Banya. The program was divided into 4 stages:
* from June 25 to June 29, volunteers visited all orphanages and got to know the students and their background;
* from July 2 to July 15, STEP Bulgaria classes took place at a summer camp close to Sofia where all the students and volunteers stayed together for 2 weeks;
* from July 16 to July 27, half the students and volunteers went to the Sofia foster home, and the other half went to the Plovdiv foster home. Volunteers were accommodated in the respective city and classes took place in the foster homes;
* during the last week - July 29 to August 3, everyone got together in Sofia to prepare for the closing night of the program (which included student and volunteer presentations) and exchange thoughts about the steps they have made thanks to their STEP Bulgaria experiences.
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"I knew little of Bulgarian history or culture, so it seemed like every second I learned something new and wonderful about the country. I was totally unprepared for its natural and artistic beauty, not to mention the sheer age of everything!”
Carolyn Holding, Bulgaria Summer volunteer
"I had not expected the kids to be as well-adjusted, fun-loving and independent as they were. I arrived expecting to teach them, but they ended up teaching me a great deal about myself and really put life in perspective."
Jia Wu, Bulgaria Summer volunteer
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Volunteer Role
Volunteers will first participate in a weeklong orientation, during which they will become acquainted with successful teaching methods as well as with Bulgarian language and culture. During orientation, volunteers will be provided with teaching materials and a general curriculum to follow in terms of class themes and educational activities. They will practice preparing class activities that not only teach the material to the students, but also stimulate them to think creatively and collaborate with their classmates.
During last year's orientation volunteers visited major natural and historic sites in Bulgaria, passing through the beautiful mountain range in the Balkans and reaching the seaside at the town of Balchik, which is known for a beautiful royal castle right on the Black Sea coast. At the end of the week STEP Bulgaria volunteers will meet with Bulgarian volunteers who will be part of their teaching teams. Volunteers at orphanages will be brought to their host families and teaching sites.
Once at placement sites, volunteers will teach for about twenty hours each week, and will spend additional time engaging in extracurricular activities with the students and preparing varied and creative class activities. In addition to English, subjects include computer literary and practical life skills.
Additionally, STEP Bulgaria volunteers will lead and coordinate a volunteer team with Bulgarian volunteers that will prepare themes for weekly class plans. STEP Bulgaria volunteers will also help students prepare their final projects and assist in planning the closing event, which will celebrate a summer of learning and exchange! This is a very important event for all teenagers participating as it gives them a specific goal towards which they can work throughout the program's duration. The volunteers at the orphanages can decide how they would like to conclude their service.
The WorldTeach Bulgaria field staff is completely devoted to insuring the volunteers' well-being and fulfillment throughout the program. That is why we try to provide the volunteers with all necessary materials and other support they might need in order to conduct their classes and teaching activities in the best way possible. Last year our volunteers were provided with all consumables, painting materials, and necessary digital technology (cameras, digital projectors and screens, cd/dvd players, etc). Regardless, the success of the program and the effect it has on the students is to a huge extent due to the volunteers' creativity and self-initiative.
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Placement Sites, Housing, Food
Placement sites depend on which track of WorldTeach Bulgaria Summer volunteers participate in. In all locations volunteers receive full room and board. Those involved with STEP Bulgaria will be placed at a camp site near Sofia or by the Black Sea together with about 40 kids for 4 weeks. For the rest of the time they will be placed with host families in Sofia, Plovdiv, Dolna Banya or Gabrovo.
Volunteers who do the On-Site track will be placed immediately with host families in Sofia, Plovdiv, Dolna Banya and Gabrovo. Changes in location are possible, depending on host family availability. Placements will be finalized by mid-April.
For descriptions of site placements, see Sample Placements.
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Length of Program
The program will last for eight weeks: one week of orientation and seven weeks of teaching. Depending on the academic calendar in Bulgaria and on the availability of flights, the departure date will be in the second half of June and the program will finish in mid-August. Currently, the starting date is set for June 22, and the ending for August 14, 2008.
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Cost of Program
$3,990. This includes pre-departure information and preparation, roundtrip international airfare from a designated US departure city (most likely Boston or New York City), one week in-country orientation, meals and housing during orientation and term of service, in-country transportation, 24-hour in-country field support, and some weekend excursions to other parts of Bulgaria
Please read more about costs and services.
Note: WorldTeach summer programs may qualify for international internship and travel funds awarded by colleges and universities. Students are encouraged to check with their schools for eligibility.
Requirements
WorldTeach summer programs are open to qualified individuals over the age of 18 (including undergraduates) who are looking for a meaningful, short-term volunteer teaching experience. English language fluency is required. Prior teaching experience is helpful but not required. Interest in teaching, community participation, and development are encouraged. Successful volunteers will be flexible, mature, resourceful, and have a genuine interest in living and teaching in Bulgaria.
For more information, please read our Volunteer Stories and Sample Placements.
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This will be the first year of WorldTeach Bulgaria. It follows the pilot project STEP Bulgaria run by Harvard's Bulgarian Club last summer.