If a person really wants to make some change in their life, they should at least try

Introduce yourself in a few sentences. What does your work as daily commitments consist of?

My name is Tsvetomir Bozhinov and I have been working in IT for almost my entire professional life. At this moment I work for Telit Cinterion www.telit.com , a global company that develops innovative IoT  modules and services as a Technical Support Engineer focusing on cybersecurity.

In which country and city do you currently live and how did you end up there?

Since 2003, I have been living in the city of Trieste, Italy. I came here for the first time as a student under the Erasmus program, then I returned to Bulgaria for a short time  and then transferred my studies to the University of Trieste. Subsequently, due to circumstances, I stayed to live here.

What were the biggest challenges you faced at the beginning of your stay?

At first, as an Erasmus student, the biggest challenge was the bureaucracy and non-compliance with the Erasmus program by Sofia University, including delayed and partial payment of the financial subsidy, as well as the non-recognition of the exams taken here by SU. This was in 2002/2003, when the program was not well known and developed in Bulgarian universities. I hope, or rather I am sure, that over time these discrepancies have been overcome.

On the other hand, especially from the perspective of a foreign student or even a tourist, Trieste is a very interesting city where different cultures and historical layers intertwine, and in a way this helped me a lot to view difficulties more as challenges and with a great deal of enthusiasm.

How did you overcome the language barrier (if there was one)?

My answer again leads to the university – I was in an environment where everyone speaks several languages, and the fact that I didn't know Italian at first was not a major obstacle. On the other hand, this also provided me with a good opportunity to learn Italian quite quickly from people with a good linguistic culture.

What resources or networks (local communities, colleagues, organizations) helped you adapt?

I didn't have any particular difficulties with adaptation; at 23, a person is much more inclined and even curious to try and accept the new or different. I admit that right from the start I was lucky to meet people with whom I am still friends today, and this helps a lot.

At that moment, I also met my great love right here in Trieste, where we are still today.

What are the main differences between the work culture in your current country and that in Bulgaria?

It is difficult for me to answer this question. My last experience in Bulgaria dates back to 2005, and since then the business climate in Bulgaria has changed drastically.

From my conversations with friends and relatives working in Bulgaria, I think that the size of the salary has much more significance.  In my opinion, it should be viewed a bit more globally; the amount of the salary is one of the decisive components, along with flexible working hours, the possibility of working from home, additional packages, and last but not least, a good working environment. I prefer to work in a place where I feel good and have more personal freedom, rather than taking a higher salary.

What values and practices in the workplace impressed you the most?

I would say that here job stability is very important, i.e., the stability of the employment relationship. Legal norms and national framework agreements usually provide much greater protection for the worker. Companies also try to build a policy that emotionally connects workers to their jobs.

Have there been situations where cultural differences have troubled you?

Cultural differences can sometimes be a difficulty, but they are often also an opportunity. For the most part, my professional life has taken place in multinational companies. Working in a multicultural environment is a challenge, but the benefits are enormous.

How does finding work differ in your current country compared to your homeland?

As far as I am aware, the processes of finding work are quite similar – job postings, LinkedIn, friends and acquaintances. In the IT sector, job postings online or social networks certainly have much more weight. It is increasingly common for companies to seek first contact with candidates.

Did you have to go through any additional qualification courses?

I am still continuing to learn, although I manage to set aside  a little time for that.

Have you faced prejudices or obstacles because of your foreign origin?

Prejudices are part of human nature. One of my theses is related to stereotypes and prejudices in our relationships. When I encounter such, I try to remain calm and not take offense. It is also interesting to see the context, to understand what they are due to and how exactly the person opposite sees (or does not see) things.

In a professional sense, I am sure that many companies do not even consider applications from foreigners.  There are various forms of discrimination, and one of them is undoubtedly origin.

What would you advise people who want to take a similar step?

My advice could be quite general – if a person really wants to make some change in their life, they should at least try.

If you could go back, would you choose the same path?

Here the question implies a very philosophical view on things. Surely everyone would change at least something small in their life.

Overall, I feel satisfied with the choices and the course of circumstances I have gone through. I am also aware of the things I have missed, sometimes even refused or underestimated.

What do you miss most from your homeland in professional and personal terms?

On a personal level, of course, I miss my relatives and friends, but also the places. In professional terms, I couldn't say that I miss anything, but I also realize that in Bulgaria my path might have been different.

Have you considered returning and under what conditions would you do it?

I have answered this question many times; many people have asked me – relatives, colleagues, friends. Jokingly, I always reply that I can pack my bags and after no more than a few days I will have “returned.” However, the serious answer is much more difficult and ambiguous. In fact, for now, I feel good here, where I am, my life is organized around family and children, home, work, and daily commitments, but I do not rule out returning to Bulgaria one day, or moving somewhere else.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money is the necessary evil of the modern world. We can live with both a lot and a little. However, true evil occurs when there is too little – when it is not enough for basic needs. The topic is quite broad, as much financial as it is philosophical, and it is not easy to give advice, i.e., I cannot tell someone who cannot afford to pay for the treatment of a loved one that it is not important – in such moments even 1000 leva can matter. Conversely, if someone lives with 5000 leva today, then tomorrow with 6000 they would live in the same way.

Here I can say that I find a serious difference between the financial behavior of people in Bulgaria and here in Italy. Italians are known for their frugality; almost everyone has savings and often invests in various forms. Similarly, the issue of insurance stands – most people have home insurance, additional health insurance, life insurance, etc. In Bulgaria, I think there is not enough financial culture and discipline in this regard.