OPPORTUNITY
FUNDS-BULGARIA
For High
School Juniors and Seniors
Rukiye Ayshe Egeli
Senior, Nancho Popovich High School of Mathematics and Science, Shumen
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?)
Prior to seeing the EducationUSA Opportunity
Funds-Bulgaria grant brochure in my school’s library, I had never considered
the United States as an option for higher education for obvious reasons. The
average cost of tuition is far too high for the majority of U.S. and non-U.S.
citizens alike. Attending an American college or university is off limits to
that majority.
Even though I did not hold out any hope of being
selected, I applied for the grant, since I wanted to explore further the
possibility of applying to a U.S. college and knew that this was the perfect
opportunity to do so. My participation in the three modules of the program this
year taught me a lot about the American culture, education and society. Gaining
a valuable insight into the lives of my American peers led me to discover more
about myself as well.
2. What are your primary objectives in
studying in the United States?
My dream is to
study Chemical and Biochemical Engineering in a college or university which
offers a wide range of areas for original undergraduate research. This is a
rapidly developing field with a unique potential for future discoveries.
Studying in the United States will not only allow me to benefit from all the
educational opportunities provided by the institution, but it will also mean
that I will be living and working with hundreds of other American and
international students with whom I can share ideas and experiences and build
friendships.
3. Why do you prefer the United States over
other countries as a place of study?
The amazing
quality of education in the tertiary U.S. institutions is universally
acknowledged. As I have previously mentioned, I am planning to major in
Chemical Engineering which is a highly demanding degree. I believe that
American professors are one of the best in that field.
4. What are your expectations of the US and
university life?
I have not yet
dared to form any specific expectations, since there are a few months left
until the end of the application process but I imagine university life as
bursting with new experiences combined with a rigorous workload.
5. Have you researched US institutions to
determine an appropriate placement? If so, what universities do you find most
appropriate and why?
My research on a
large number of U.S. colleges and universities helped me outline a list of
institutions where I would like to apply. Having in mind the fact that there
are not a lot of universities worldwide that offer my dream major, I was surprised
to see that a relatively large number of U.S. institutions include Chemical and
Biochemical Engineering in their academics list. I decided to apply to those
which impressed me with the research opportunities they provide.
6. How will the Opportunity experience
(acquisition of new skills and knowledge) assist you in achieving your
academic goals?
The Opportunity
Funds-Bulgaria grant allowed me to prepare more extensively for applying to the
United States. The program modules were structured with regard to the
participants’ needs. My participation in the program has greatly enriched me in
terms of academic knowledge and new friends. I feel humbled to have met such
inspiring people as my fellow participants, Ms. Bozoukova, Ms. Sophia
Kleinsasser, Mr. Ivan Dinkov, Mr. Vladimir Phillipov and Ms. Snezhana Teneva
who have assisted me throughout the program.
I believe that the
Opportunity experience will be of great importance in my path towards academic
excellence.
7. What advice would you give to future
candidates applying for the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds grants?
I would
advise them to start their preparation early. And as Benjamin Franklin said: “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”
Disclaimer
The text is published
in its original and unedited version.
