Lets say Zdravey to Antonia Ivanova

Main photo by Anton Atanasov on Unsplash

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Tell us about your work/role with SOL:

I have been a coordinator since November 2025.

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What, or who, was your first encounter with SOL?

I first met Grenville Yeo at the Bulgarian English teachers' Association Annual International Conference in Sofia in 2008. At the time, I was a full-time lecturer at New Bulgarian University. When a colleague and a close friend of mine won the SOL teachers' Course prize, I spontaneously decided to accompany her. We enjoyed every minute of the time we spent in North Devon, this led to me volunteering at the SOL office in Barnstaple for the following two summers, where I assisted the office staff and teacher trainers.

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What do you love about SOL?

The course programme offers a complete immersion into the British way of life. Students don't just study English; they live it, whether they are in a classroom, exploring on excursions, or sharing a meal with their host families. By interacting with locals and experiencing daily life in a British home, language acquisition becomes a natural by product of their journey, leading to lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.

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Where and what direction would you like to see SOL take in the future?

It is my sincere hope to see SOL flourish as it continues its vital mission of cultural and linguistic exchange. By providing a space where students are fully immersed in English life, from interactive lessons and local excusions to the authentic experience of living with British host families. SOL creates more than just a learning environment, it builds community.

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When you are not supporting SOL, what do you do?

I have stepped back from intensive teaching for now to focus on our family business and raising my 2 boys. My role with SOL is a wonderful way to stay connected to the world of education, remain in touch with my colleagues and the teaching community.

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Tell us something interesting about your country we may not know?

Did you know that Bulgaria is home to the oldest processed gold in the world? Long before the pyramids of Egypt or Stonehenge were built, a mysterious civilization in Varna (dating back to 4,600 BC) was already crafting exquisite gold jewelry.

On a lighter note, if you ever visit, watchout for our head nods! We are one of the few cultures where nodding actually means 'No' and shaking your head means 'Yes'. It leads to some very funny misunderstandings with tourists!

Also, we take great pride in our yogurt. Thanks to a unique bacterium called Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which is found naturally only in Bulgarian air, our yogurt has a distinct taste and health benefits that you simply can't find anywhere else.

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