Bulgaria Through the Eyes of Foreigners Who Chose the Country for Their Professional Development

What does Bulgaria look like through the eyes of people from abroad who have chosen to build their careers here at "Latecoere Bulgaria"? 

See below their account of professional opportunities, Bulgarian teams, cultural differences, adaptation, and life in Bulgaria – and how the country is gradually transforming from a place of professional assignment into a place they call home.

CARRERAS Nicolas – General Manager at Latecoere Bulgaria Ltd.

Nicolas, what brought you to Plovdiv and what was your first reaction when you first stepped into the city and the factory?

At first glance, Plovdiv seemed very attractive to me due to its reputation, linked to two main facts: that it is one of the oldest cities in Europe and that it was the European Capital of Culture a few years ago. When you have to choose a new place to "land," these two details make you believe that the city has something to offer (whether culturally or historically).

Moreover, its location is extremely appealing – we are close to the mountains (which means opportunities for mountain tourism and quick access to clean air and nature), and not too far from the sea and Sofia. The central position of Plovdiv makes it a wonderful starting point for a new adventure.

When my family and I arrived here, we were happy to find that the city fully met our expectations, but with one additional advantage: the daily sense of security we experience. This provides great comfort for both us and the children in adapting to the new culture.

Professionally, I quickly sensed that our factory and the people here have many strengths, so the moment was ideal for upgrading and structuring processes. Such potential is a real opportunity to support the growth we strive for.

In what way did the environment here pleasantly surprise you compared to your initial expectations of Bulgaria?

From a French perspective, people from Eastern Europe are often perceived as introverted and reserved, and the first contact with them may seem distant and cold. But this is not at all what I discovered in Bulgaria. Here, my first contacts were warm and quickly directed towards collaboration. The heritage of Bulgaria, built from a mosaic of different civilizations – which is evident, for example, in gastronomy and architecture – is quite obvious and reflected in the behavior of the people. Bulgarians are much closer to Southern than to Northern Europe.

Another pleasant surprise upon my arrival was the respect for traditions in daily life, without it meaning living in the past. I appreciate this unexpected balance – honoring the past by preserving certain habits while at the same time focusing on change and improvement.

REGIS Hugo - Operations Program Coordinator

Hugo, how did your adaptation go and how did the Bulgarian team help you feel "at home" quickly?

When I arrived in Bulgaria, I was a young 23-year-old graduate engineer. I didn't know anyone here at all. My first impression when I started working with the local team was a huge surprise. The people here were extremely kind, responsive, and always tried to support me. Their hospitality really helped me feel good – almost at home.

What was the first major challenge you faced here, and how did you and your colleagues manage to overcome it together?

The obvious major challenge was the language barrier. Fortunately, shortly before arriving in Bulgaria, I had studied a bit of Czech, and since it also has Slavic roots, it helped me a lot at the beginning to progress quickly. But what helped the most was everyone's efforts and patience to understand each other. It wasn't always possible to speak in English, so body language and gestures became a fun experience that ultimately yielded great results. When there is goodwill, you always find a way to communicate with colleagues.

KRASTEV Mark – Project Manager Officer

Mark, which project or achievement in the factory are you most proud of since you started working here?

My first task when I started working at Latecoere Bulgaria was to improve daily communication, which was a common problem for all departments: questions were escalated through emails, messages, meetings, and informal conversations, leading to a lack of structure, inconsistent prioritization, and limited visibility on actions. Together with the managers, starting from the General Director, we implemented a structured daily management system based on different levels of operational meetings – each with specific participants, escalation paths, key performance indicators (KPIs), and action plans. Today, over 80% of the organization participates in these daily operational meetings, where teams review results, address issues, escalate risks, and align their priorities. Although communication today is still not perfect, it is much better than before, and this organization contributes to that. I am sincerely glad that we managed to embed this routine deeply into the DNA of our factory and create a solid foundation that has been embraced, managed, and improved independently by the teams themselves.

How have your experience and international perspective contributed to improving processes and achieving this success?

Having lived and worked in both France and Bulgaria allowed me to get to know both cultures, communication styles, and ways of working well. This has proven to be extremely useful in my daily work, as many of the projects I participate in require close collaboration between the factory and the headquarters in France. While this is far from the only reason for a project's success, it facilitates it because people can sometimes approach the same situation from different perspectives, even though they pursue the same goal. Besides speaking the native language of your interlocutor, you work with a shared vision and understanding of the situation you are facing. This allows me to adapt my communication accordingly, avoid misunderstandings, and facilitate collaboration between teams. I consider this a positive contribution to the success of every project.

ESTRADE David – Head of Manufacturing Engineer Department

David, what happens when we combine French precision with Bulgarian flexibility and ingenuity on the ground?

This is an excellent question because after 11 years in Bulgaria, I think I have started to see these two cultures in a slightly different way. We often associate French culture with engineering, precision, and innovation, while Bulgarian culture is associated with resilience, flexibility, and resourcefulness. There is, of course, some truth to this, but my experience here has taught me that reality is much richer than these stereotypes.

For me, Bulgaria is a place where the impossible can happen. I have seen many situations where something looked extremely difficult on paper – sometimes even impossible – but the people here found a way. There is a strong ability to adapt, to intelligently improvise, and to turn limitations into solutions.

And this is where I think the combination becomes extremely powerful. The French engineering culture can bring structure, methodology, and long-term stability, while Bulgarian ingenuity brings speed, pragmatism, and a willingness to seek solutions outside the standard framework.

When you combine the two, you don't just solve problems – you can turn unexpected solutions into reliable ones.

And personally, after 11 years here, I would say that both cultures have influenced me. I have probably become a little less French in the way I approach a problem and a little more Bulgarian in the way I seek a solution.

What is the most valuable skill or quality you have learned from your Bulgarian colleagues in your daily work?

When I first came to Bulgaria, I barely spoke English and did not speak Bulgarian at all – I must admit that my Bulgarian is still far from perfect today. Therefore, communication was a real challenge at the beginning. I had no choice but to learn to express my ideas in a very simple, clear, and concise way. Over time, what initially seemed like a limitation actually became one of my greatest strengths.

But I managed to develop this thanks to something I discovered and greatly appreciate in my Bulgarian colleagues: patience. People took the time to understand me, even when my English was not perfect, when I was searching for words, or when we had to find another way to explain something.

This taught me something important: good communication is not about using complex words or speaking perfectly. It is about ensuring that the person in front of you understands what truly matters. Therefore, I would say that the most valuable quality I learned from my Bulgarian colleagues is patience – and through their patience, they taught me how to communicate better.

DUZERT Gerald – Head of Quality Department

Gerald, outside of work in the factory, how does the atmosphere and lifestyle in Plovdiv help you maintain a good balance between professional and personal life?

What I appreciate most about Plovdiv is the quality of life it offers. The city has a relaxing atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and a very welcoming community, which makes it easy to disconnect from the work rhythm and enjoy leisure time. Compared to larger cities, commuting to work is much easier, which means more time for family, hobbies, and outdoor activities.

One of the aspects I particularly like is the proximity of the Rhodope Mountains and the Stara Planina, which offer fantastic opportunities for hiking, nature escapes, and outdoor sports year-round, with the Pamporovo resort being very close. Combined with the city parks, the historic Old Town in Plovdiv, and the vibrant atmosphere of cafes and restaurants in "Kapana," this creates an excellent environment for recharging outside of work. I enjoy attending concerts at the Ancient Theatre or participating in music festivals.

Plovdiv combines the advantages of a dynamic and developing city with a comfortable pace of life, allowing me to maintain a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being.

What is the next major challenge for you here and what would you say to another French specialist considering a career in Plovdiv?

My next major challenge is to continue supporting the growth of the factory while simultaneously fostering operational excellence, innovation, and collaboration among teams. As the organization develops, it is important to maintain high standards while adapting to new technologies, new customer expectations, and an increasingly international environment.

To another French specialist considering a career in Plovdiv, I would say: be open to this experience. You will discover a modern industrial environment, highly skilled and motivated colleagues, and many opportunities for professional growth. At the same time, Plovdiv offers excellent quality of life, a welcoming culture, and a unique blend of tradition and modernity. For me, it has been both a rewarding professional challenge and an extremely positive personal experience.

Mohamed Houssem Jridi – Production Manager

Moving to a new country and city can be a big change – have you already discovered any surprising similarities or common cultural spirit between your homeland and Plovdiv?

Moving to Plovdiv was a significant change, but I quickly noticed some similarities with Tunisia. In both cultures, people place great importance on family, social contacts, and spending quality time with loved ones. I also appreciate the calm way of life and the strong sense of community, which made my transition much smoother.

What motivates you to build a career here in Bulgaria, and what would you say to those wondering if Bulgaria is the right choice for their life and career?

I chose Bulgaria because it offered me an excellent opportunity to develop my career in an international environment while discovering a new culture. Since moving here, I have gained valuable professional experience and met people from various backgrounds. To anyone considering Bulgaria, I would say that it is a great place to grow both professionally and personally. If you are open to new experiences and willing to adapt, Bulgaria can offer you many rewarding opportunities.