Greetings friends!

Today, I would like to take a pause from recent events and instead share with you something that’s deeply personal to me—a story from the early chapters of my life, back in Bulgaria. 

That is where I lived for half of my life. 

Bulgaria has history spanning thousands of years, but the books and literature heavily emphasize the Ottoman Conquest and rule over Bulgaria from late 14th century until late 19th century.

As a kid, history lessons had me seeing the world in black and white: Bulgarians as the gallant rebels and the Ottomans (today’s Turkey) as the formidable foe. But life has a way of showing us the many shades in between.

The game-changer? A 5th-grade school exchange program to Turkey. This wasn’t just about getting better at English; it was about opening my eyes to a world beyond the textbooks.

Turkey was nothing short of a revelation. The people, the traditions, the warmth—I was welcomed with open arms. The experience was a stark contrast to the historical narratives I grew up with, or “Turkish Tyranny.” 

There, I found similarities that bridged the gap between our nations, not the differences I was taught to expect.

What’s more, the father‘s mother of the family I stayed in was Bulgarian and lived not far from my city! This connection blends our histories and personal stories in ways I couldn’t have imagined. 

This twist of fate highlighted how interconnected we are, regardless of the lines drawn by history.

Returning home, I brought back not just souvenirs but friendships and a new perspective. History, I realized, is a story told by the victors, often leaving us with a one-sided view. 

It’s crucial, then, to seek out our own stories, to learn firsthand about the people and places we only read about in history books.

I’m a firm believer in the power of programs like these. They’re not just educational trips; they’re pathways to understanding and empathy, crucial for healing historical wounds and building a future based on mutual respect.

Let’s champion more of these cultural exchanges. They remind us that at the heart of all those historical events are people—just like us—with hopes, dreams, and the desire to connect.

~ Gogo