Ralitsa Mihaylova is a 20-year-old girl from AEGEE-Berlin, originally from Bulgaria. The “Bulgarian Bear”, how she calls herself, is running for a position in the Summer University Coordination Team and relies on her web development skills and knowledge in order to be selected. She has been in AEGEE for only eight months now, but she considers that AEGEE “gives me back twice the energy and experience I put into it and a chance to use my skills to create something I’m really passionate about”.
The AEGEEan: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Ralitsa: I am just a regular Bulgarian bear that studies Computer science in Berlin, enjoys eating and spends the winters sleeping. When I was four I stole a pokemon collection and when I am alone at home I like to put on my gangsta rap playlist and my sunglasses and do absolutely nothing.
How did you become a part of the AEGEE team?
My friend Liliana tried to convince me to join for about a year, but her stories were so awesome I thought she was making them up [she smiles.ed]. Then I went to my first event – an exchange with AEGEE-Wroclaw and AEGEE-Dresden, and everything started making sense. I did not just become a part of the team, I started being active, which is very rare for a bear!
What is your AEGEE experience?
For a short period of time I have been an active member, I pretty much said yes to every opportunity I had. After the amazing exchange, which was a preparation for the TSU Adventure Time: The return of the rabbits, I participated in an LTC in Leipzig, where I mostly learned how little I know about organizing events, and I am very thankful that I did. After that I took active part in the planning of our SU, which was one of the coolest experiences I have ever been a part of. Right now I am the vice coordinator of NWM Berlin, so if you want to make fun of me in case I fail, or have an awesome time in case I succeed, APPLY!!
Which is the memory you most value from your AEGEE activity, personal or professional?
The first thing that comes to mind is my birthday, which my parents carefully planned 20 years ago so it can be in the middle of TSU Adventure Time! We were camping at a lake in Berlin, so the plan was to have a chill night. Just when I started to accept the thought that no one wants to do anything, It turned out I had the best secret friend in AEGEE history, who organized a pretty wild surprise for me! It involved ,,Don’t Cha” by the Pussycat Dolls, 5 guys and their hats [she smiles]. After that we had a big bonfire and went swimming in the lake. It was really amazing that even though I had only known most of the people there for a few days, they made this day one of the best in my life so far!
You are running for a place in the Summer University Coordination Team. Which are the qualities and experiences that recommend you for the job?
I am running for IT-Responsible, so web development skills are implied. I enjoy coding and do it not only in my studies, but also in my free time. I am ready to put in the work and time to maintain the website, I am full of ideas for ways to improve the user experience and extremely motivated to make them happen. Other than that I have experience with event coordinating, graphic design and PR – things I am doing right now for NWM Berlin, so I would be able to contribute to the work of the other team members. But probably my most important qualification is my love for the SU Project, which not only makes me want to do the job, it makes me want to do my best at it! And let us not forget I am a bear. You simply do not say no to a bear.
Which was the best Summer University you organised and why?
TSU Adventure Time: The return of the rabbits definitely qualifies as my best, not just because it is the only one I have organized so far, but because knowing the amount of ideas and hard work put into it by the organizers, made seeing the results twice as exciting and satisfying. It was also a big learning experience for me personally. Every day I became aware of flaws and strengths in my actions and character, that I did not see before and got the chance to work on them in the process. I am really happy that I got to be a part of it!
Written by Gabriela Cioata, AEGEE-Bucuresti
You can read her full candidature here.