“There are many career prospects in Bulgaria for people who speak several languages like me” – the story of Ali B. from Algeria

Today we continue the series of stories about migrants, who have been successfully integrated into the Bulgarian labor market.

Today we continue the series of stories about migrants, who have been successfully integrated into the Bulgarian labor market and contribute to the development of the country’s economy.

Our series is part of the MIraGE project, on which WCIF is working with partners from several European countries. The project aims to ease the access and integration of third-country nationals who seek employment in the host countries of the European Union. Ali B. is part of this project.

Ali was born and raised in the beautiful Mediterranean city of Anaba. “I come from a modest, educated family and I am fortunate to be” breastfed ” with the French language. My initial choice at university was science and technology, before continuing with English, Translation and Tourism, ”says Ali. He has worked as a Deputy Translation Teacher at the University for two semesters (2016-2017), as an English teacher in a secondary school (7th and 8th grade) (2017-2018) and as a freelance translator. (2019-2020). Before coming to Bulgaria, he had never been abroad. His main hobbies are music, literature, genealogy, photography, visiting museums and talking to people from all over the world using social media.

The main reason for his coming to Bulgaria is to be independent, in the full sense of the word. His salary as a high school teacher did not motivate him to stay in his home country. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic limited his financial resources and made it difficult for him to cope with all the costs associated with training and doctoral studies. Then his main goal became the search for a better future in Eastern Europe. “I was convinced that I would find many interesting opportunities to develop as a migrant. The cost of living was also one of the advantages of coming here.”

Although Alis came to Bulgaria soon, he feels calm and confident about his future. “Being a citizen, open to the world, as I always like to describe myself, has helped me to adapt to Bulgarian culture and communicate effortlessly with people.” Ali knows several migrants and has local friends who help him set comfortably and get to know the ways of life in Sofia. They trust him from day one and never hesitate to give him advice and unconditional love.

Ali applied for his current job while he was still in Algeria, in 2019. Due to the situation with the coronavirus, however, he managed to reach Bulgaria just in 2021. He has no difficulties integrating to his current job and as a beginner receives daily help from his colleagues. He describes the nature of the work as stressful. He has to accept challenges and adapt to the dynamics of work in a call center, which in the long-term would be mentally exhausting for him.

Ali wants to succeed. He is enthusiastic to make the most of this international experience by relying on knowledge and adaptation. He believes that meeting interesting people from different backgrounds is a plus. This will help him expand his contacts professionally. “There are many career prospects in Bulgaria for people who speak several languages ​​like me,” Ali said. Now his number one goal is to cope with the difficulties of his current job at Telus International and is committed to doing his best. “Who knows what the future holds? I can stay here for the rest of my life, if all goes “Mnogo dobre”/Very well/.