March, 1997 Central Community Debates Issue of Ebonics
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Bulgarian Biliana Learns American Way of Life
By Nicole Belasco
"My English is better, and I've made new friends," commented Biliana Dimitrova, on how she's changed during her stay in the US. An exchange student from Bulgaria, Biliana has been attending Central since November.
Biliana's first language is Bulgarian, but she speaks English very well. "I took English classes at school for five years," she said. Classes in school taught her the basics, but she also took private lessons. "In my country, it is good to take a second language in order to conduct business," she explained. It also helps to know a common language if you want to speak with people from neighboring European countries.
When asked why she chose to come to the US, Biliana replied, "America is a free country. I just wanted to see a new country, new culture, new people."
So, what's different about America? "The first thing that caught my attention is the freedom [American kids have] of wearing different styles of clothes. Of course, the fashion in Bulgaria is similar, but most of the teenagers dress like their friends." Bulgarian teens do not have as much freedom to wear baggy pants or purple nail polish, both of which Biliana now enjoys wearing.
Popular music in Bulgaria has a heavy American influence. "Rap, the Fugees, Bone Thugsn'Harmony, Blackstreet, TLC, Alanis Morissette, and Mariah Carey are very popular," Biliana said.
In Bulgaria, everyday life is a little bit different than what it is in America. "The schools are more difficult than American schools. In our schools, we have to make a lot of oral presentations and know many lessons each day," said Biliana.
Instead of using a cafeteria, Bulgarian students are able to leave school and eat at nearby cafes. In the capital city of Sofia, there are a lot more things for teenagers to do after school. "In Bulgaria, we are free to go to cafes and bars. There are no night hours or age limits," Biliana said. "Anybody can buy alcohol and cigarettes." Knowing this, you would think that there would be a big problem with teenage alcohol and drug abuse. Biliana explained that heroin is a very popular drug, but most people prefer drinking. "It's not as big a problem as in America," she said.
"Most of the people are very mature and the parents trust them," she said. They are allowed to go on vacation with their friends, or stay home alone for weeks at a time. "Another thing is that students here are more dependent on their parents. In Bulgaria, the parents don't interfere with students' schoolwork, they let them educate themselves. I think this works better, because this way they can prepare themselves for their future."
Biliana will be staying in the US until the end of the school year. And after that? "I want to be a businesswoman," she said smiling, "so I can travel."
