People and Society of Bulgaria

Nationality

Bulgarian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Bulgarian 83.9%, Turk 9.4%, Roma 4.7%, other 2% (including Macedonian, Armenian, Tatar, Circassian)

Population

7,148,785

Population in Major Urban Areas

SOFIA (capital) 1.174 million

Bulgarian physicians are trained to a very high standard, but most hospitals and clinics, especially in village areas, are generally not equipped or maintained to U.S. or Western European standards. Basic medical supplies and over-the-counter and prescription medications are widely available, but highly specialized treatment may be unavailable. Pediatric facilities are underfunded and lack sufficient equipment. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States may cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payments for health services.

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Classroom

Most school buildings in Bulgaria are old but well repaired. However, there are schools whose buildings are 70 years old. In a typical school, the number of students is from 200 to 400 children depending on the location. In big cities, especially in the capital, Sofia, schools are difficult to access because there the population is bigger than in the country. The typical classroom in Bulgaria contains 30 desks, a blackboard, and portraits of national heroes such as Vasil Levski and Hristo Botev (heroes, who helped in the liberation from Ottoman slavery). In the early grades, the rooms have toys and puzzles. However, in Bulgarian schools, there is a serious lack of technologies such as computers, especially in small towns, where there are almost no computers. If there are computers they are usually outdated machines. The good news is that students can practice at home, where almost every Bulgarian family has a PC. Bulgarian schools supply free breakfast for students in recent years. The school breakfast is fruit and drink in order to maintain the good health of students. There are also special tuck shops where children can buy everything, but breakfast is free.

Education Culture

Education plays a central role in the life of every child and is extremely valued in Bulgaria. Recently, parents have invested a lot of time and money into the education of their children to obtain the best possible future for their children.

Learning

Bulgarian school students greet with the typical Dobro utro (Good morning) and the start of the first hour at school is indicated by the school bell at exactly 7.45 a.m. Primary education in the Bulgarian school system for students from 7 to 11 years is from 1st till 4th grade. Basic education which is compulsory lasts from 11 years old to 15 years old and it is from 5th to 8th grade. Secondary education, which lasts from 8th to 12th class, is not mandatory, but nearly 70 percent of Bulgarians have a secondary education. Higher education for a bachelor's degree lasts 4 years and it is recognized in Europe and America. In the primary grades there are 6 school hours per day, school hours last 45 minutes, and the breaks between classes are between 5-10 minutes. The lunch break is 15 minutes, there is lunch provided in every school and the food is served in the school canteen. The lunch is usually free and it is provided by the school. Lunch includes typical Bulgarian dishes with vegetables. There are three meals- salad, soup, and meat dishes, as well as a fruit dessert or sweet yogurt. The essential subjects that children learn in school are mathematics, literature, Bulgarian language, history, geography, biology, physics, chemistry, art, sports, informational training (computer and technology) and optional subjects are second language starting from primary grades. The most widespread second language is English, followed by German and Russian. For every teacher there are nearly 14 pupils in primary education, and for secondary education there are about 11 students per teacher. The headmaster of the school class - who is usually their main teacher - is responsible for the discipline, and informs the parents of their child's discipline and learning. Every month there is a parent meeting that discusses key issues of education for their children. Bulgarian students are learning in a rigorous system and the role of the creative process is not very tolerated. This includes project work, debate, essay writing on topics of interest to students, and creating a product.

To School

According to the Bulgarian educational system, more than half the students use public transport if they are aged over 10 years. If they are under that age, their parents escort them to school in their own car or public bus. In recent years, school buses are also an option.

• Bulgarian Orthodox82.0%
• Muslim12.0%
• Protestant3.0%
• Roman Catholic2.0%
• Jewish1.0%

Bulgarian

The official language is Bulgarian, and nearly all inhabitants speak it. About half of the Turkish population speaks Turkish as its mother tongue. Bulgarian is a Slavic language that uses an alphabet first developed in the ninth century by Cyril and Methodise. English is now the most popular language for children to study, followed by German and French.

• Bulgarian

Crime Information

Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences, especially in crowded markets, on shopping streets, and aboard the busiest tram and bus lines. Con artists operate on public transportation and in bus and train stations. Credit cards and ATMs should be used with caution. Be wary of people who approach you at an ATM and offer assistance. Do not give your PIN to anyone under any circumstances. (See the Special Circumstances section below.) Travelers should be suspicious of "instant friends" and should also ask persons claiming to be government officials to provide identification. We recommend that you immediately report any crimes to the police, as they have helped recover money and valuables in the past. To avoid becoming a victim of more serious crimes, use the same personal safety precautions that you would use in any large U.S. city. You should pay special attention to the drink prices at high-end bars and nightclubs. Travelers have been charged exorbitant prices, especially for champagne and hard alcohol. Bills have been as high as several thousand dollars for drinks, and in some establishments, the management may use force to secure payment. Taxi drivers occasionally overcharge unwary travelers, particularly at Sofia Airport and the Central Train Station. We recommend that you use taxis with meters and clearly marked rates displayed on a sticker on the passenger side of the windshield. The standard rates normally range between BGL 0.59 and 0.70 (approximately 40 U.S. cents) per kilometer. Prior to a current law that established a maximum charge per kilometer, some taxi drivers charged as much as BGL 6.70 (approximately US$5) per kilometer. However, there is only sporadic enforcement of the current law. At the airport, there is a clearly marked booth within the arrival terminal that arranges for metered taxis at a fair rate. Finding reputable taxis at the Central Train Station is more difficult. We recommend that before you enter a taxi, you first inquire about the fare. Always ensure that you account for all luggage, packages, and hand-carried items before you pay and release a taxi. The likelihood of retrieving articles left behind in a taxi is remote. Automobile theft is common, and very few vehicles are recovered; four-wheel-drive vehicles and late-model European sedans are the most popular targets. Automobile break-ins are also common in residential areas or near parks, especially when valuables are left in plain sight. Residential burglaries are also a frequent occurrence in any major city. If you plan to reside in Bulgaria on a long-term basis, you should take measures to protect your home and consider installing window grilles, steel doors with well-functioning locks, and an alarm system. Take some time before your trip to learn how to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for personal security. Use caution when making credit card charges over the Internet to unfamiliar websites. Recent experience has shown that offers for merchandise and services may be scam artists posing as legitimate businesses. In many cases, the businesses do not actually exist. Don’t buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, but if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While in Bulgaria, you are subject to its laws and regulations, which sometimes significantly differ from those in the United States, and may not afford the protections available to an individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with minors or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. Bulgarian law enforcement authorities may take you in for questioning if you don’t have your passport, U.S. passport card, or long-term residence card with you. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Bulgaria are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. If Arrested: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.