By Rada Kaneva
Over two energizing winter days, U.S. Fulbright grantees from across Bulgaria gathered in Sofia for the Midterm Conference—a joyful pause to reflect, reconnect, and recharge at the halfway point of their grant journeys. The conference opened with warm words from Angela Rodel, executive director of Fulbright Bulgaria, followed by a special greeting from Nancy Schiller, president of the America for Bulgaria Foundation, whose steadfast support of the ETA Program continues to make these exchanges possible. Student researchers then took the floor, presenting projects that spanned an inspiring range of disciplines—from addiction prevention and social anthropology to preservation of cultural heritage, architecture, and music—prompting lively discussion and reminding everyone just how powerful cross-disciplinary curiosity can be.
ETAs added their own creative flair through short video stories capturing classroom moments, cultural surprises, and everyday life in Bulgaria—equal parts heartfelt and hilarious. The learning continued in hands-on sessions led by experienced educators, including English Language Fellow Michael Morris, who explored strategies for multilevel classrooms, artist Dr. Miglena Tsviatkova, who guided a Bulgarian arts and crafts workshop, and Fulbright ETA alumni Molly O’Keefe and Michael Smith, who led follow-up trainings on classroom management.
The evening reception on January 23 was a true celebration of the Fulbright community, bringing together Bulgarian alumni, current U.S. grantees, friends, and partners for lively conversations and plenty of laughter. A highlight of the night was the presentation of a newly published book about the First Bulgarian Empire, State Builders from the Steppe, authored by Fulbright alumnus Eric Halsey. Five copies of a special “Fulbright edition” of the book were awarded as prizes to the most enthusiastic participants in a competitive human bingo icebreaker, where networking skills were put to the test. The evening wrapped up on a truly memorable note with a moving musical performance of Ukrainian folk songs by Angela Rodel, joined on stage by student researcher James Kogan and musician Isabel Sokol. Moments like these—thoughtful, creative, and deeply human—capture exactly why Fulbright matters: for learning, for connection, and for the communities we build together.
