Reflections from Bulgaria

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by, Megan Rubbelke

When I started my teaching career, I told myself I would stay at my first job for 5 years. I figured that after 5 years I would either want to put down roots or try something new. My “something new” was always teaching internationally, but I hadn’t put any serious thought into that possibility until last year. I was content in my current position, but felt like there wasn’t much room for me to continue to grow, both personally and professionally. In December 2020, I signed a contract with an international school in Sofia, Bulgaria and moved there the following August.

I thought the “teaching” part of “international teaching” would be the easy part. I expected that my classroom would be the place where I felt the most like myself. Regardless of how I felt navigating a new country, new language and new school, I thought that at the very least I would feel solid and secure in my teaching practice. I was wrong. I have never questioned my teaching more than I have in this past year.

I think there are a number of reasons for this. The obvious one is Covid. It is still a daily part of my teaching. Students move in and out of quarantine. I’m never 100% sure if I will have an entire class in my room or a few students online. Experiencing the constant change and stress caused by Covid is enough to make anyone question their teaching (and indeed we have seen that in our profession). Another reason could be switching from teaching high school to middle school. I knew that middle school was a different world from high school, but knowing and experiencing it first hand are entirely different things. Or maybe, this is just what year 6 of teaching feels like? I’m no longer a novice, but I’m not exactly a veteran, yet. 

When I look at all of these reasons, they are not unique to international teaching. Teachers around the world are experiencing the same things I am, so why does everything feel heightened? Well, this is where the “international” part of international teaching comes in. When I was a student teacher my mentor told me something like, “teaching is manageable when there is nothing big happening in your life.” Making an international move by yourself is big. Leaving behind your support system and creating a new one is big. When you move to a new country, figuring out how to buy groceries, fix your phone or make a medical appointment are suddenly big. Things that used to take no thought whatsoever now require mental space and energy. It can be exhausting

It can also mean finding joy in the everyday, mundane tasks. Ordering my Saturday coffee entirely in Bulgarian. Navigating the metro system without using Google Maps. Finally finding the shredded coconut I need to make my favorite granola. Just today I got excited about successfully paying for parking in a new city. It really is the little things.

Nine months ago I took a leap into an uncertain world to explore the next chapter of my life and career. The story isn’t exactly how I imagined it would be, but it’s mine. This chapter has been full of plot twists and unexpected characters, trials and triumphs. I’m not sure how this chapter will end, but I do know this: My life is richer because of it and I’d make the same choice again.

Megan in Istanbul (December 2021)

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

Megan in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Roman Theater)