OPPORTUNITY FUNDS-BULGARIA 

For High School Juniors and Seniors

   Snezhina Kancheva

Senior, Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov Foreign Language High School, Veliko Turnovo

1.             Why did you apply for an EducationUSA Opportunity Funds-Bulgaria grant? (Do you value the opportunity to learn about American education, culture and society as part of the program?)

Before I stumbled on the advertisement of the OF grant, I was unsure where to continue my education. I had never considered the USA as an opportunity. Thanks to the scholarship I discovered that it is worth studying farther than Europe as the US universities are like a bee hive – gathering talented youngsters from all over the world.

2.             What are your primary objectives in studying in the United States?

In university I would like to study biochemistry and physics. I am aiming at a PhD in the former. I hope to receive a first-class education and lab training, as well as to develop myself as a better team worker.

3.         Why do you prefer the United States over other countries as a place of study?

The main benefit of the American education is that university/college employees, in fact, do their best to assure students their development and progress. Nowhere else will one be accepted based on an essay and personal characteristics in addition to the academic profile.

4.         What are your expectations of the US and university life?

In the US I expect to accomplish everything I haven’t been able to do here such as learning a few more languages, working in a lab and meeting people. I am also looking forward to the available summer internship opportunities and working as a health worker in Asia or Africa.

5.         Have you researched US institutions to determine an appropriate placement? If so, what universities do you find most appropriate and why?

In the US there are so many universities that even if one is seeking full financial aid, there is still a chance to get accepted at an amazing institution. The choice of a university, though, should be made based on personal criteria. For example, I, as an active volunteer, looked for institutions with a lot of volunteer opportunities both inside and outside the country.

6.         How will the Opportunity experience (acquisition of new skills and knowledge) assist you in achieving your academic goals?

Through the three preparatory modules funded by the scholarship I received the best possible training for the SAT, TOEFEL and the college application process. It is hard to find such competent lectors in every city, but Opportunity Funds brought us together and gave us equal chance of success.

7.         What advice would you give to future candidates applying for the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds grants?

My biggest advice is, most of all, to enjoy applying in the US. This is a very time-consuming process during which they will reveal a lot about themselves and will re-discover long-forgotten talents. However, this is an exciting journey everyone will enjoy undertaking.

Disclaimer

The text is published in its original and unedited version.