ENGR 365 Global Engineering and Technology
co-offered with HIST 308 Explorations of Regional History: Bulgaria
Bulgaria, 2024
ENGR 365 Bulgaria 2024 was led by Dr. Yanjun Yan. HIST 308 was led by Dr. Gael Graham. Both ENGR 365 and HIST 308 courses were offered as a combo class.
Next year in May 2025, Dr. Yan (yyan@wcu.edu Belk 332) and Dr. Graham (graham@wcu.edu McKee 222B) will lead students to visit Japan, still offering ENGR 365/HIST 308 (P6 and P3, with ULP). There are likely two other Japan trips offered by WCU: JPN 493 led by Dr. Ono (yono@wcu.edu McKee 128A) for 3 WCU credits, and the BA 304 and MKT 407 course combo led by Dr. Rader (email him at srader@wcu.edu or visit him in FOB 2B) for 6 WCU credits in P6. All the instructors for these Japan trips are in close collaboration, and we sincerely appreciate such support system. You can decide which of these three trips fits your interest and study plan the best.
The 2024 ENGR365/HIST308 class left US from everyone’s chosen airport (CLT, AVL, or RDU) on May 13th and met together in the airport in Sofia on May 14th. The trip ended on May 30, 2024. The class traveled in these areas: Sofia / Rila → Plovdiv → Kazanluk → Veliko Tarnovo → Burgas / Nessebar / Sozopol.
Technical University of Sofia
We met with the Rector (like our Chancellor), the Director and the Associate Director of the International Office, faculty, staff, and students in the Aviation Simulation Club, Robotics Club, and visited the Center of Excellence and Clean Technology.
Here’s a screenshot of TU-Sofia’s news article (their news articles all expire a month after publishing). Screenshot
Here are the posts by the TU-Sofia Robotics Club on Facebook and LinkedIn, respectively: Facebook post, LinkedIn post.
Rila Monastery
Founded in the 10th century, Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monument.
Folk Dancing
It’s our favorite! To learn and practice the traditional Bulgarian “horo” line dancing steps.
Mondelēz Svoge Plant
In 1901, Velizar Peev opened the First Chocolate workshop in Sofia, and then in 1924, he founded the Chocolate factory in Svoge. This plant has seen the changes in societies and is also a testament of Bulgarian industrial development.
Fulbright Bulgarian Commission
Angela and Rada had lunch with us and taught us so much about the Fulbright program and Bulgarian folklores.
Saint Sophia Church in Sofia
The Saint Sofia Church is the oldest church in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, dating to the fourth century. It is also why the city’s name was changed from Serdika to Sofia.
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the Balkans. It is believed that up until the year 2000 it was the largest finished Orthodox cathedral.
SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
The security guard gentleman turned out to be the most enthusastic guide for us!
National Museum of History
Besides the precious treasures from history, we saw the treasures of the future, the children, to graduate.
Boyana Church
A UNESCO site with famous frescos inside (but no photos are allowed).
Museum of Illusions
Interesting and fun!
Many More Museums in Sofia
All are worth visiting.
More of Sofia
There is much more to see on the streets, too.
The Red Flat
A museum in the setup of the 70’s where the visitors could immerse in that era.
Socialist Art Museum
There are sculptures outside and a catoon exhibit inside.
Plovdiv Old Town
Ancient theater, section of the ancient stadium, forums, and old houses from Bulgarian National Revival period.
Schneider
The innovation hub and plant tour are amazing.
More of Plovdiv
In and around Plovdiv
Shipka Monument
Monument of Freedom, Saint Nicholas peak, is а symbol of modern Bulgaria and the liberation of Bulgaria.
Shipka Memorial Church
Its full name is the Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ.
Rose Oil Distillery
The Enio Bonchev Rose oil Distillery & Family Museum dates back to 1909, with rose fields right next to it.
Rakia Museum
Rakia is somewhat like the moonshine in NC, and it can be brewed from all kinds of fruits and grains. This small museum in Sofia offers an exhibit of the owner’s collection, too.
Veliko Tarnovo
It was the the old capital of the Second Bulgarian State (1185-1391) and has been instrumental in Bulgaria’s independence.
More Museums in Veliko Tarnovo
Multimedia info center is a wax figure museum on traditional livelihood. There is a prision museum, which was mostly used for political figures.
Mini Bulgaria
Seeing these, we don’t have to travel that far 🙂
Burgas
Port, beaches, museums, and more.
Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov University in Burgas
We visited its medical campus with engineering sectors.
Hagia Sophia Church, Nesebar
A UNESCO site built in the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 6th centuries.
Beaches in Nessebar and Sozopol
It was still quiet there in May.
More Museums in Nessebar
Many cities with long histories in Bulgaria, including Nessebar, have museums on archeology, ethnography, old churches, and more.
Old Town in Nessebar and Sozopol
Old houses, archeological sites, churches, and more.
Seven Rila Lakes
On our free day earlier in the trip, a student joined a tour and hiked the Seven Rila Lakes, a 7-hour loop trail from the lift station along a group of glacial lakes, situated in the northwestern Rila Mountain.
Murals and Graffiti
In every city we went.
Sunset and Sunrise
In mountains and on the beaches.
Food
Group ethnic meals and the ones on our own
Hot Coffee Vending Machine
It works pretty well and is popular.
Flowers and Random Things
Beauty is everywhere.
Cats, mostly
There are quite many cats where we have been.
Visiting Bulgaria was an interesting way to experience thousands of years of history while also experiencing a very new, still developing, democratic nation.
My Bulgarian experience far exceeded the expectations I had due to the vibrant culture, the kind and personable people, and also the development of my own independence and understanding of the world.
A wonderful experience with peers both similar and different to myself!
The school trip to Bulgaria was a chance to experience an area of the world that is not often talked about in class through the lens of a WCU course.
Acknowledgement
The 2024 trip was partially sponsored by the Erasmus+ mobility grant between Technical University of Sofia and Western Carolina University to lower the overall costs. The Erasmus+ program is greatly appreciated.
Colleagues and Leadership on Both Campuses
In no particular order, we thank
- Dr. Wes Stone, Dr. Randy Collins, and Dr. Wes Milner, as well as the staff in their offices, for supporting the development of the travel courses and the Erasmus+ mobility project.
- Dr. Vladislav Slavov, Dr. Radoslav Deliiski, Dr. Tasho Tashev, and the staff in the Erasmus+ office, for making connections, helping in many ways, and securing the Erasmus+ moblity grant.
Hosts
The names of our hosts who are not public figures are omitted for privacy. Our appreciation extends to all who have welcomed us. In no particular order, we thank
- Many faculty members, leadership, and students at TU-Sofia and Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov University to meet with us, show us around, and explore future collaborations.
- A TU-Sofia colleague for inviting us to the folk dance studio.
- The director and staff at the Fulbright Bulgarian Commission.
- Hosts at the Svoge Plant, Schneider Innovation Hub, and Rose Oil Distillery for welcoming us and taking us on the amazing tours.
- Many more staff members at all the attractions we have visited.
- Staff at the hotels and restaurants, and the TU-Sofia driver for taking very good care of us all.