{"id":2934,"date":"2026-10-14T11:06:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T11:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpaeburgas.org\/Fullbright\/?p=2934"},"modified":"2026-10-14T11:53:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T11:53:26","slug":"kate-struble-an-american-teacher-discovering-bulgaria-one-day-at-a-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpaeburgas.org\/Fullbright\/2026\/10\/14\/kate-struble-an-american-teacher-discovering-bulgaria-one-day-at-a-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Kate Struble: An American Teacher Discovering Bulgaria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Imagine moving thousands of kilometres away from home, arriving in a country whose traditions you are only beginning to understand, and stepping into a classroom full of students curious about your world. For Kate Struble, an American English Teaching Assistant at AEG \u201cGeo Milev,\u201d<\/a> this year is full of new faces, unfamiliar customs, and opportunities to learn. Through the Fulbright program, she has come to Bulgaria not only to teach English, but also to discover what makes this country special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new country and a new adventure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Kate, moving abroad was something she had wanted to do for a long time. As she explained during our interview, \u201cI always wanted to live in another country and teach abroad.\u201d The Fulbright program gave her the opportunity to turn that ambition into reality.Bulgaria stood out because its ETA program<\/a> combines classroom experience with activities such as English speech and debate, training sessions, and opportunities to connect with other teaching assistants across the country.Before applying, however, Kate knew relatively little about Bulgaria. She knew it was near Greece and that Sofia was its capital, but much of the country was still unfamiliar to her. Since arriving, she has started learning about traditions such as Baba Marta and Kukeri and is eager to discover more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Food is another part of the experience she is looking forward to. She admitted that she \u201chasn\u2019t tried enough food yet,\u201d so her culinary adventure is far from over!Her first impressions of Burgas have been positive, too. Kate says people have been kind and welcoming, especially at school, and she loves being so close to the sea. The beach has quickly become one of the highlights of her stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two school systems, two different experiences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching at Geo Milev has given Kate a closer look at how Bulgarian and American schools differ.One difference is language learning. Bulgarian students often study several foreign languages, while learning another language in the United States may be optional, depending on the school. The daily classroom routine is different, too. B students usually stay with the same class group for several years, whereas American high school students generally move between classrooms and meet different classmates throughout the day.Kate has also noticed differences in classroom behavior. From what she has seen so far, Bulgarian students can be more likely to talk while a teacher is giving instructions, while students in the American schools she knows tend to be quieter during those moments. She is careful not to generalize, though, since she is still getting to know the school.Something that surprised her is how much Bulgarian students already know about American culture. From trends to everyday life, TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms have made American culture familiar to many teenagers here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kate recognizes that these platforms can help people learn about lives beyond their own when used appropriately.*More than teaching English*Kate\u2019s path to Bulgaria began long before she entered a classroom here. She studied journalism and public policy at the University of Iowa and, after graduating, spent four years working at a public library. She organized programs and events, helped with communications and publicity, and also coached high school speech.Now, she is bringing those experiences into her work with students. Her goals for the year are to build relationships, help students strengthen their English, and introduce them to aspects of American culture. At the same time, she wants to learn from the students themselves.For Kate, the exchange works both ways: she is here to teach, but she is also here to discover new perspectives and understand Bulgarian life through the people she meets.Although she may consider teaching full-time in the United States, she has not made any definite plans for her future career. For now, she is focusing on making the most of her year in Bulgaria, which is scheduled to last until July.*Discovering Burgas beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When she is not teaching, Kate has been exploring her new surroundings. She has visited places around Burgas, including the city centre, the Sea Garden area, and the Galleria Mall. Still, the sea remains one of her favourite parts of living here.She went into the water during her first week in Bulgaria, but jellyfish have added an unexpected detail to her beach experience. She finds them cute from a distance, although she would rather not encounter one while swimming!And Burgas is only the beginning. Kate hopes to visit other Bulgarian towns where fellow ETAs are teaching, giving her the chance to see more of the country and experience its different regions.She is also finding ways to enjoy everyday local activities. During the interview, she mentioned plans to watch “Verity” at a cinema in Burgas, with the film in English and Bulgarian subtitles. Even a familiar activity like going to the movies becomes a new experience when you are living abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding a home away from home<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving to another country also means adjusting to life without the people you are used to seeing every day. Kate says she has adapted better than she expected and is already feeling settled. She stays connected with friends back home, often calling them in the evenings despite the eight-hour time difference.Still, she knows the adjustment may not always be easy. She expects January and February, with their colder weather and shorter days, could be more challenging once the excitement of arriving has faded into everyday routine.For now, though, she is embracing her experience and taking each new opportunity as it comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*One year, countless experiences*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kate\u2019s story shows that an international exchange is about much more than language lessons. It is about stepping outside what is familiar, being curious about another culture, and finding common ground with people whose lives may look different from your own.For students at Geo Milev, having an American teaching assistant is a chance to practise English and discover another perspective on American life. For Kate, it is an opportunity to grow as an educator while getting to know a country she once knew mostly from a map.There are still traditions to discover, Bulgarian dishes to try, and places to visit. With several months left in her stay, Kate\u2019s year in Burgas is far from over \u2014 and there are surely many more stories to come.A special thank you to Kate for sharing her experiences and stories with us, and to Leana and Tuana for conducting the interview and helping us get to know our new ETA better!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Imagine moving thousands of kilometres away from home, arriving in a country whose traditions you are only beginning to understand, and stepping into a classroom full of students curious about your world. For Kate Struble, an American English Teaching Assistant at AEG \u201cGeo Milev,\u201d this year is full of new faces, unfamiliar customs, and opportunities…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[96,247],"tags":[426],"yoast_head":"\nMeet Kate Struble: An American Teacher Discovering Bulgaria - School newspaper<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For Kate Struble, an American English Teaching Assistant at AEG \u201cGeo Milev,\u201d this year is full of new faces, unfamiliar customs, and opportunities to learn. 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