ERASMUS CHANGING LIVES OPENING MINDS fOR 25 YEARS

Boryana
Klinkova
‘It changed my life’
Home institution:
Burgas Free University, Bulgaria
Host institution:
Chemnitz University of Technology,
Germany
Field of study:
Foreign languages
Duration:
3 months (2001)
Boryana Klinkova was in the first group of students to go on an exchange from
the Burgas Free University. At this time, it was not clear what to expect as no one
at the University had completed an Erasmus exchange. Before going to Germany
most of her experience of Western Europe had been gained from the television
and radio. Everything was different – the university course, the accommodation
and the practical arrangements of living in a different city. ‘I had to do so much
by myself – without the support of my friends and family. I was so proud of what
I achieved and felt I had transformed myself from a teenager to an adult through
the programme.’
At the end of the Erasmus exchange, she was offered work in the host university’s
International Office and a scholarship to complete a second degree in
Germany. She became increasingly involved in international affairs, and now
works as an International Programmes Coordinator in another university in
Germany. In this role ‘I support young people so they can share the study
abroad experience. My team organises exchange programmes for more than
700 students per year, of whom 400 participate in Erasmus.’
As well as setting her on the road to a career in international exchanges, the
Erasmus exchange led to her meeting her husband. ‘Looking back over the past
ten years, it is interesting to see how much has changed in the organisation of
Erasmus and to reflect on the impact it has had on both my personal and professional
life.’
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