Sofia Spring Course '06

BEST (Board of European Students of Technology) is an organization that promotes communication and idea exchange between technology students throughout Europe. BEST was officially founded at a conference in Berlin, in April 1989. BEST is a non-profit, non-political organization of European Engineering students. Our motto is “To promote Europe among Europeans”.

At present, there is a well-established network of over 66 Local BEST Groups within top-level technical Universities in over 24 European countries. These groups provide information for students regarding the possibilities of studying or participating in research projects abroad, and make efforts to improve their access to equal opportunities and promote international cooperation between them and students associations, academic and business environment, industrial and governmental entities. BEST also collaborates with other organizations, such as AIESEC, ELSA, AEGEE, BONDING that share the same goal for student mobility throughout the EC.

The “BEST Vivaldi Program”, held annually since 1991, consists of a series of courses organized by each Local Group in a field of excellence of its University, and is attended by students from the other member Universities. They include cultural and social activities as well, enabling the participants to discover a new country and culture, as well as to get in touch with other foreign students. BEST is a promising, rapidly growing organization, which has already served many students, helping them to become more open-minded with respect to globalization, which will be fundamental in their future as citizens of a more closely integrated Europe.

Bulgaria offers an astonishing array of landscapes, flora and fauna, recreational activities and wildlife. You will discover the magnificent beaches – the numerous ski resorts – the characteristic villages and fascinating architecture – the natural spas and treatment centres – and not to forget: the delicious food!

• The Black Sea Coast offers an attractive seaside holiday for rest and recreation. The sunshine record is exceptional - nearly 300 days of sunshine the yearly average. Various opportunities exist for climate and balneo-treatment, yachting, surfing, water skiing, diving, underwater fishing, other aquatic sports and diverse types of entertainment. In addition, opportunities for hiking, cycling, riding, photo-tourism, eco-tourism, and excursions to natural, archaeological and cultural places of interest abound.

• Rila, Pirin, the Rhodopes, Vitosha and the Balkan Mountains offer wonderful possibilities for skiing and mountain hiking. The international resorts of Pamporovo, Borovets and Bansko allows one to enjoy some of the best skiing in Europe - with snow from Christmas to Easter.

• Bulgaria has more than 600 hot, warm and cold mineral springs of varied physical and chemical contents, mineralisation, curative gases, biologically active trace elements, temperature and curative properties. A number of businesses offer talasso-therapy, pearl baths, underwater massage, phyto-therapy, curative mud, inhalations, manual therapy, paraffin treatment, acupuncture, helio-prophylaxis, ozone and oxygen therapy, slimming procedures, balneo-cosmetics, etc.

• Bulgaria enjoys a network of three national and nine nature parks, a number of reserves and natural places including gorges, steep rocks, and waterfalls.

• Bulgaria has over 30,000 historical monuments from different historical epochs, 36 culture reserves, 330 museums and galleries. The Bulgarian lands are ancient crossroads. They were populated from remote antiquity and remember many ancient civilizations.

• The state of Bulgaria has a 1300 year old history and according to the statistics, it is ranked third (after Greece and Italy) for its number of archaeological monuments. The earliest inhabitants of the present Bulgarian lands were the Thracians. Ancient Greek historian Herodotus describes the Thracians as the second biggest tribe in the Ancient world, after the Indians. The most famous Thracians were Spartacus and Orpheus.

• Many Bulgarian villages, located in environmentally clean regions, have preserved their traditional outlook and genuine atmosphere for developing rural tourism. They are ready to open their hospitable doors to those willing to share the rich traditions and folklore, agricultural activities, preserved old crafts, and delicious and varied local cuisine.

Bulgaria is a renowned producer and exporter of wine to more than 70 countries in the world. On the territory of Bulgaria there are 12 wineries producing a variety of excellent wines.
Bulgarian food is close to traditional European cuisine. A traditional Bulgarian menu includes bread, yogurt and fresh milk, cheese, tomatoes, paprika, potatoes, onions, beans and fruits, grappa and red or white wine. Food specialities include:

• Shopska salad - prepared from diced tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, green peppers, topped with feta cheese and seasoned with olive oil and parsley
• Mlechna salad - prepared from strained yoghurt seasoned with olives, crashed walnuts, finely diced garlic and parsley
• Tarator - cold served soup from yoghurt, fresh cucumbers, seasoned with walnuts, garlic and dill
• Sirene po Shopski - feta cheese, diced tomatoes and onion topped with egg and cooked in pottery
• Kebapche - minced meat rolls seasoned with traditional spices and fine herbs and barbequed
• Kyufte - minced meat balls seasoned with traditional spices and fine herbs and barbequed
• Shish Kebab - grilled skewered meat, onion and paprika
• Banitsa – baked pastry filled with cheese or meet

Bulgaria is a former communist country now striving to enter NATO in November 2003 and the European Union, which is expected to be granted in 2007.
Since 1996, the country has experienced macroeconomic stability and positive growth rates (due in part, to the introduction of a currency board in 1997) and it exists under what is now a stable parliamentary democracy, with a majority in parliament and public consensus on key social and economic priorities.
Bulgaria demonstrates economic growth at 4.5% (one of the highest in Europe), annual inflation at 3.8% and strong growth figures in the tourism industry (up 10% in 2002 compared to 2001). It boasts low rates of taxation across the board and has one of the lowest cost centres in Europe, though the workforce is highly skilled and qualified.
The currency is the Bulgarian Lev which is already pegged to the Euro.

The climate in Bulgaria has 4 seasons. March is the last month of the winter. The weather during this month is very unpredictable. It could be very cold. The temperatures variety is between -5 to 15 degrees. That's why we advice you to take clothes both for hot and cold weather.

Monetary Units: 1 lev = 100 stotinki. Banknote denominations include 1,00, 2,00, 5,00, 10,00, 20,00 and 50,00 leva, as well as coins of smaller denominations.

You can change money in banks and 24-hour change bureaux. The exchange rate is announced every day.

Tip: Ask an organizer to come with you when changing money! It’s not dangerous to go alone, but it’s safer to go with one of us!

Some prices:

Product	Price
Bulgarian yoghurt(450ml)	65 stotinki
bread	45 - 70 stotinki
good beer (500 ml)	>=50 stotinki
wine(750 ml)	>=2.50 levs
vodka(700 ml)	>=3.50 levs
bus ticket	50 stotinki
cinema ticket	3-10 levs

Important Telephone Numbers:
Police – 166 Ambulance – 150 Road assistance - 146

Medical Service: Free first aid and consultation in emergencies:

Passports and Visas: You will need a valid passport with an entry or transit visa, which is issued by the embassies and consulates of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad. No entry visas are required for citizens of the countries with which Bulgaria has a visa-free regime, or of organized tourists who have bought a package tour. No entry visas are required for citizens of the EU and EFTA member states. No visas are required for CIS citizens for a stay of one month, provided they are in the possession of a valid passport, a voucher for pre-paid tourist services or if they pay the sum of 40 USD for each day of their stay in the country. For more information, just check http://www.mfa.government.bg/index_en.html

The easiest way, for those who can afford it, of course is to get here by plane, if you are one of those lucky guys you can use Bulgaria Air, which is the Bulgarian national air company. It's quite famous with it's low rates at about 200$ - 300$ for an open return ticket from almost every European country. You can get some detailed information at www.air.bg. You can check also the web sites of some other companies that have regular flights to Sofia like British airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, AlItalia, Malev, Check Airlines, Austrian airlines, etc. You can also try the low-cost-flights company Wizz air which is currently flying to Sofia.

For those who want to save some money on travelling … it could be useful to know that there are some very good Bulgarian bus companies, travelling every day from some of the European capitals.

The last chance to get to Sofia is using the train companies. The main European railway routes pass through Bulgaria. International trains link Sofia with many European capital cities and the domestic rail network ensures access to all large settlements. Check http://www.bdz-rila.com/ to get detailed information.

If someone decides to come here by car, he has to buy the international insurance before departing than all you have to do is to follow the highways and to be careful for the signs showing the right direction to Sofia. Foreign driving licenses are valid on Bulgarian territory. You can enter the country at Kalotina Duane if you are coming from Serbia or you can pass trough Romania and enter Bulgaria by the ferry at Kalafat - Vidin.

As most of you probably have enough travel experience you can arrange your trip of your own. If anyone needs some additional travel information or cooperation don't be afraid to contact us at: sofia@best.eu.org.

The meeting point for all students shall be the Technical University of Sofia, block 1. The address is given both in English and Bulgarian (just in case you need it).

Технически университет-София
София 1000, бул."Кл. Охридски"8
България

If you see one of the following buildings, then most probably you are at the right place J. A BEST representative will be waiting for you at the university and from there you will get together to the place of accommodation.

NOTE: If by any chance you think you got lost, please do not hesitate to call any of the given contact numbers!!!

After you arrive on Sofia airport and you get all your stuff, find a change to exchange some money (min 15 Euro). The airport has only one exit and it should be easy to orientate.

This is the easiest and fastest way to do it. And the good news are that taxis are still not very expensive in Bulgaria.

Once you are out of the Arrivals Hall, you will see a line of taxis just in front of you. All legible taxi cars in Bulgaria are yellow. PLEASE do not catch a taxi which is in another colour!!! We suggest you to take a taxi from the company OK Yellow Taxi.

The trip from the airport to the Technical University should cost between 10 and 15 levs (6 – 8 euros).

Public transportation vehicles in Sofia run daily from 6 am till 10 pm. A one-way ticket costs 0.50 levs. You need a new ticket every time you change the bus, no matter how long you have travelled. You can buy the ticket from the kiosks at the station or from the bus driver – the price is one and the same. When you start your trip, you have to punch the ticket inside the bus.

When you went out the airport, go to the bus stop which will appear on your left side. Catch bus No.84. Don't forget to buy and punch a ticket. It’s a good idea to buy 2 bus tickets from the driver as you will need the second one later.

Ask somebody on the bus to tell you where is the bus station Hotel Pliska. You need to step out of the bus there. If you are counting the bus stops, it shall be the 10th one. There must be a hotel with blue windows (see the picture on the right). If you don't see it you're probably wrong, so start to ask some people how to get to "Pliska".

When you get out of bus 84, go to the underpass and get to the other side of the road. Now you need to catch bus 280 in direction Studentski grad. Usually the bus is full of students, most of them speaking English, so just ask them to show you which is the stop of the Technical University of Sofia. Don’t forget to punch your second ticket.

Once you are at the bus station, you will see a big crossroad, do not cross. Take the street which appears on your right side. It’s full of small shops and cafes, so you will easily recognise it. The main entrance of the university will show up after 200 m. It has a fountain in front, so if you see it, you are at the right place, CONGRATULATIONS!

Both stations are situated at distance 300m away from each other. So the way to get from each of them to the Technical University is one and the same. The picture on your right side shows the Central Bus Station.

(Please, refer to the info provided above in section From Sofia airport/ By taxi.)

The price of the trip from Sofia Central Train/Bus Station to the Technical University of Sofia should be around 10-15 levs (6 – 8 euros).

If you arrive at the Central Train Station, you need to take the underpass in order to cross the street. There look for the stop of bus 413. You should be travelling in direction Durvenitza.

Once you get on the bus, please do not forget to punch your ticket (see section From Sofia Airport/ By public transportation). To get to the university it takes around 45 min so it is difficult to count the bus stops ;) Ask somebody younger on the bus where you should get off for the Technical University of Sofia.

As soon as you know when you arrive in Sofia, PLEASE, let us know. It’s a lot easier for us to organize the arrival day, if we know when to expect you guys!

Don't Forget:
Useful things which you should take with you.

1. International Passport
2. Visa (if you need it)
3. Official invitation (if we have sent you)
4. Travel & Health insurance
5. International Student Identity Card (ISIC card)
6. Comfortable shoes for walking
7. Suitable clothes for walking in the mountain
8. Typical food and drinks from you country for the International Evening
9. A CD with your favourite traditional music
10. Small presents for organizers :P
11. A big smile on your face ;)

You will stay in Sofia, in a hotel near the university, in a room with 2 (or 3 persons) beds and a bathroom.

You will eat in a restaurant near the university campus, except the days when we have something else planned. For the international evening, you have to bring with you traditional food, and beverages, in order to share it with people from the entire Europe.

English	Bulgarian
I love you!	Obicham te!
kiss	tseluvka
How are you?	Kak si?
What is your name?	Kak se kazvash?
My name is ………	Kazvam se … … …
Where are you from?	Ot kade si?
I come from … … …	Az sam ot … … …
How to reach for … ?	Kak da stigna do…?
Thank you!	Blagodaria!
please	molia