President of International Women's Club, Maria Novak, talks to VELINA NACHEVA about the value of friendship in Bulgaria, her easy adaptation to a life devoted to caring for others, her commitment to social welfare and the importance of raising children to become responsible, kind and tolerant adults.
Slovenian national, Maria Novak, is the recently elected president of the International Women's Club (IWC). She is rightly proud to be the first president from a smaller transition country, signaling a break in the 15 year history of the IWC in Bulgaria, when it was typical for presidents to be selected from larger developed countries, like the UK or the US. Novak has spent two and a half years in this country and is eager to speak with the local people in Bulgarian. Getting to know Novak, even over a relaxed cup of coffee, you cannot help but believe that whatever product, service or idea she has in mind will succeed. She appears to be a very persuasive and dedicated professional. Her latest passion, and responsibility, is active participation in all the Club's activities in Bulgaria.
Prior to relocating to Bulgaria, Novak worked in two multinational companies, Philips and DHL, and felt very satisfied with her career path. She has since realised that her choice to move to Bulgaria has opened up other opportunities for her and puts her in a position to help improve the lives of others.
Novak's last year of University was spent at an American College in Detroit Michigan. She thoroughly enjoyed studying economics and specialized in marketing.
Novak has always held demanding and responsible positions during her working life, and is accustomed to proving herself by producing results. The presidency of IWC is another challenge in Novak's life, which she says she will perform with great passion. She believes that the presidency, gives her the opportunity and the responsibility to do a many things.
After Novak arrived in Sofia she has felt that her free time could be spent on good causes because she did not have as much to do, compared to her active professional life in Slovenia. The hectic corporate lifestyle was replaced with work for the IWC. She found out about the club almost immediately after arriving and it was a welcome surprise because she knew no other Slovenians she could spend time, not even an embassy to seek out compatriots. For her first two and half years in the IWC she was a membership coordinator, before being elevated to the presidency.
"Its a great recognition to be president of IWC," she said. Reflecting on the difference from previous holders of the position, she added "I come from a country of only two million people.'
"My goal is to raise awareness for the club," she said and added that it needs to be broadly publicised among the local community. She feels dissatisfied with the level of involvement of women in the IWC in Bulgaria. She thinks that if people better understand the idea of the club, many more women would be involved.
Novak's communication and public relations skills will assist in promoting the important cause of helping people in need. She has never committed herself to challenges of a social nature but is confident that her organisational skills are applicable in this direction as well. She was previously involved with the IWC Christmas bazaar and in welcoming new members to the club.
Novak is more than ready and willing to open up new horizons and involve more volunteers. With a genuine smile and her unpretentiousness, she said that she has not been a busy woman but hopes to achieve a lot more this year being president. "This year it will be much more intensive," she said talking about the things which the club has already started and projects that have been launched.
While the club's objectives and charter are settled, she still plans to introduce some organisational innovations in 2004. According to her, Bulgarian women are very important asset for the IWC because of their superior language skills. "They are so helpful as many foreigners do not speak the language," she said.
She finds the work of the charity committee extremely interesting. The IWC actively supports development programmes and assists with donations of food and clothing to orphanages, the centre for disabled people and homes for the needy.
The IWC does not as a general rule donate money, instead it delivers food, clothes or products directly. She said the only time money is directly used is when "the club pays the electricity or gas bill" for charitable institutions. Novak says she is very proud of the difference that the IWC makes in people's lives. All volunteers in the IWC derive great pleasure by devoting their free time to charities and caring for others. "It is much more involved and interesting than just having a big heart, which is also a need," Novak said replying to what is it like to be a volunteer.
Her first charity trip to Plovdiv to the hostel for children with leukemia was an experience she will never forget. "When I came back home, I immediately burst into tears," she said. This was her first visit to such a hostel. 'We have no homes like this in Slovenia," she said and added that it is rare that a child is not wanted. "There are even waiting lists for children to be adopted and social homes are like hotels," she said.
Novak's trip proved to be the time when she learnt that children do not need crying people to visit them but need cheerful ones instead. Volunteers need to devote their time selflessly and she is so glad that there are always those who are willing.
"Anybody can volunteer their time and they definitely need to be strong because of the situations they encounter," she said. It is very emotionally draining and not suitable for everyone.
Novak's daily routine has changed greatly after relocating to Sofia. A typical weekday for her is not spent behind a desk in an office but either on the road to a home in Petrovo or to another social event for a good cause.
"You appreciate every minute you live," she said, asked how the IWC and its activities have changed her. "Before I came here everything I took everything for granted," she said and added that now she appreciates every day spent happily. She started seeing little things, which she had not paid attention to before. "I am healthy, I am alive and I am not hungry," she said and added that you become more content with the small blessings. That is how she tries to raise her children and she shows them that going to the seaside every summer is not as affordable for everybody. "My son knows that we go skiing every winter," she said and added that a trip in the mountains is always accompanied with a discussion or a talk about how not every child can go skiing.
One of the lessons she tried to teach her son is to be compassionate and have a warm heart. She has taken him with her to see children who are less fortunate and it was a shock for him. "He brought toys for the children there," she said and added that she is happy to see that her son cares. "I try to teach my children to be responsible and open," she said.
Novak's children study at the Anglo American school in Sofia and when they are not busy, they always join her on charity functions and visits to homes and orphanages. She finds that the environment they live in and the fact that they are expats gives them knowledge about places that she never had at their age. "My children sound like Bulgarian when they talk the language," she said.
Novak's husband has always been very supportive of her especially when she is committed to assisting others. "It is a very frequently occurrence that there is no lunch or dinner at home because I am so busy," Novak said.
She has been blessed to have an understanding life partner at home with both having their own time and moments. "There is liberty in the house," she said with a smile.
"I am not a typical domakinya (housewife)," she said referring to her cooking experience in Bulgaria but she does have a favourite dish which is chushki buyrek (stuffed peppers with eggs and cheese).
Being able to practice and improve her language skills by using them is the most rewarding aspect of being in this country for her. "Bulgarians are very open and friendly people," she said, adding that people invite you to their houses and talk to you unlike in Slovenia. "I have such a pleasant experience in Bulgaria," she said. Slovenian people are more work oriented and introspective. "They are more oriented towards themselves," she said. The further south from Slovenia you are, the more open you tend to be, and you are usually closer to the Bulgaria's mentality, she said.
Novak does not miss much from Slovenia because her commitment is total and is divided between her family, friends and the IWC. However, she said that the cleanliness of the surrounding of her native place are something she wishes she had in Bulgaria. "Slovenia is a more organised country and everything is under control," Novak said, rushing to add that Bulgaria shares almost same beauty and nature. For her Bulgaria needs just a little bit of organisation and care because the rest is already there.
Novak has not stopped learning and there are always things she sees, reads or hears when she travels or when she makes new friends. "My husband is very busy and that is why we cannot travel as much," she says with a sigh of regret and adds that when they have more free time together they rush off to either the mountains or somewhere else. Her in-laws live in Dubrovnik and they often visits the place. She enjoys winter in Sofia, especially because of the good skiing, which her children also enjoy.
Borovets and Pamporovo are the two best places to ski for Novak and her family.
"As soon as you get out of Sofia you are attracted to the places around," she said. The family usually spends summer in Dubrovnik so that both children can see their grandparents.
Novak's spouse works for an American multinational pharmaceutical company and he was transferred to Sofia so the whole family relocated to Bulgaria two and a half years ago. This has been their first assignment outside of Slovenia and they are enjoying every moment of it. "It is challenging for me to be here because I knew so little about the country before I came here," Novak told The Echo.
Novak is never bored in Bulgaria, she goes to fitness clubs, enjoys horse-riding and meeting friends.
Novak has made many Bulgarian friends. "I love the people here," she said. People are the reason why she has learnt so much of Bulgaria's language, tradition, habits and lifestyle. "I believe that every person visiting any country should learn and do their best to speak the language of the place they are in," she said.
"I have nothing to complain about in Bulgaria and I have adapted," she said.
Novak is still young, at the age of 33 she finds that there are many opportunities in front of her, both on a business and personal level. She has assisted a group of Bulgarian artists to go to Slovenia, as a form of cultural exchange.
She feels its a pity that Bulgaria is not so well promoted overseas and particularly in Slovenia. On her Easter vacation this year she watched a documentary on Slovenia and her children started shouting happily that they knew the place.
"Ma look this is Slovenia on TV," she said, recalling the enthusiasm of her children.
Slovenian national, Maria Novak, is the recently elected president of the International Women's Club (IWC). She is rightly proud to be the first president from a smaller transition country, signaling a break in the 15 year history of the IWC in Bulgaria, when it was typical for presidents to be selected from larger developed countries, like the UK or the US. Novak has spent two and a half years in this country and is eager to speak with the local people in Bulgarian. Getting to know Novak, even over a relaxed cup of coffee, you cannot help but believe that whatever product, service or idea she has in mind will succeed. She appears to be a very persuasive and dedicated professional. Her latest passion, and responsibility, is active participation in all the Club's activities in Bulgaria.
Prior to relocating to Bulgaria, Novak worked in two multinational companies, Philips and DHL, and felt very satisfied with her career path. She has since realised that her choice to move to Bulgaria has opened up other opportunities for her and puts her in a position to help improve the lives of others.
Novak's last year of University was spent at an American College in Detroit Michigan. She thoroughly enjoyed studying economics and specialized in marketing.
Novak has always held demanding and responsible positions during her working life, and is accustomed to proving herself by producing results. The presidency of IWC is another challenge in Novak's life, which she says she will perform with great passion. She believes that the presidency, gives her the opportunity and the responsibility to do a many things.
After Novak arrived in Sofia she has felt that her free time could be spent on good causes because she did not have as much to do, compared to her active professional life in Slovenia. The hectic corporate lifestyle was replaced with work for the IWC. She found out about the club almost immediately after arriving and it was a welcome surprise because she knew no other Slovenians she could spend time, not even an embassy to seek out compatriots. For her first two and half years in the IWC she was a membership coordinator, before being elevated to the presidency.
"Its a great recognition to be president of IWC," she said. Reflecting on the difference from previous holders of the position, she added "I come from a country of only two million people.'
"My goal is to raise awareness for the club," she said and added that it needs to be broadly publicised among the local community. She feels dissatisfied with the level of involvement of women in the IWC in Bulgaria. She thinks that if people better understand the idea of the club, many more women would be involved.
Novak's communication and public relations skills will assist in promoting the important cause of helping people in need. She has never committed herself to challenges of a social nature but is confident that her organisational skills are applicable in this direction as well. She was previously involved with the IWC Christmas bazaar and in welcoming new members to the club.
Novak is more than ready and willing to open up new horizons and involve more volunteers. With a genuine smile and her unpretentiousness, she said that she has not been a busy woman but hopes to achieve a lot more this year being president. "This year it will be much more intensive," she said talking about the things which the club has already started and projects that have been launched.
While the club's objectives and charter are settled, she still plans to introduce some organisational innovations in 2004. According to her, Bulgarian women are very important asset for the IWC because of their superior language skills. "They are so helpful as many foreigners do not speak the language," she said.
She finds the work of the charity committee extremely interesting. The IWC actively supports development programmes and assists with donations of food and clothing to orphanages, the centre for disabled people and homes for the needy.
The IWC does not as a general rule donate money, instead it delivers food, clothes or products directly. She said the only time money is directly used is when "the club pays the electricity or gas bill" for charitable institutions. Novak says she is very proud of the difference that the IWC makes in people's lives. All volunteers in the IWC derive great pleasure by devoting their free time to charities and caring for others. "It is much more involved and interesting than just having a big heart, which is also a need," Novak said replying to what is it like to be a volunteer.
Her first charity trip to Plovdiv to the hostel for children with leukemia was an experience she will never forget. "When I came back home, I immediately burst into tears," she said. This was her first visit to such a hostel. 'We have no homes like this in Slovenia," she said and added that it is rare that a child is not wanted. "There are even waiting lists for children to be adopted and social homes are like hotels," she said.
Novak's trip proved to be the time when she learnt that children do not need crying people to visit them but need cheerful ones instead. Volunteers need to devote their time selflessly and she is so glad that there are always those who are willing.
"Anybody can volunteer their time and they definitely need to be strong because of the situations they encounter," she said. It is very emotionally draining and not suitable for everyone.
Novak's daily routine has changed greatly after relocating to Sofia. A typical weekday for her is not spent behind a desk in an office but either on the road to a home in Petrovo or to another social event for a good cause.
"You appreciate every minute you live," she said, asked how the IWC and its activities have changed her. "Before I came here everything I took everything for granted," she said and added that now she appreciates every day spent happily. She started seeing little things, which she had not paid attention to before. "I am healthy, I am alive and I am not hungry," she said and added that you become more content with the small blessings. That is how she tries to raise her children and she shows them that going to the seaside every summer is not as affordable for everybody. "My son knows that we go skiing every winter," she said and added that a trip in the mountains is always accompanied with a discussion or a talk about how not every child can go skiing.
One of the lessons she tried to teach her son is to be compassionate and have a warm heart. She has taken him with her to see children who are less fortunate and it was a shock for him. "He brought toys for the children there," she said and added that she is happy to see that her son cares. "I try to teach my children to be responsible and open," she said.
Novak's children study at the Anglo American school in Sofia and when they are not busy, they always join her on charity functions and visits to homes and orphanages. She finds that the environment they live in and the fact that they are expats gives them knowledge about places that she never had at their age. "My children sound like Bulgarian when they talk the language," she said.
Novak's husband has always been very supportive of her especially when she is committed to assisting others. "It is a very frequently occurrence that there is no lunch or dinner at home because I am so busy," Novak said.
She has been blessed to have an understanding life partner at home with both having their own time and moments. "There is liberty in the house," she said with a smile.
"I am not a typical domakinya (housewife)," she said referring to her cooking experience in Bulgaria but she does have a favourite dish which is chushki buyrek (stuffed peppers with eggs and cheese).
Being able to practice and improve her language skills by using them is the most rewarding aspect of being in this country for her. "Bulgarians are very open and friendly people," she said, adding that people invite you to their houses and talk to you unlike in Slovenia. "I have such a pleasant experience in Bulgaria," she said. Slovenian people are more work oriented and introspective. "They are more oriented towards themselves," she said. The further south from Slovenia you are, the more open you tend to be, and you are usually closer to the Bulgaria's mentality, she said.
Novak does not miss much from Slovenia because her commitment is total and is divided between her family, friends and the IWC. However, she said that the cleanliness of the surrounding of her native place are something she wishes she had in Bulgaria. "Slovenia is a more organised country and everything is under control," Novak said, rushing to add that Bulgaria shares almost same beauty and nature. For her Bulgaria needs just a little bit of organisation and care because the rest is already there.
Novak has not stopped learning and there are always things she sees, reads or hears when she travels or when she makes new friends. "My husband is very busy and that is why we cannot travel as much," she says with a sigh of regret and adds that when they have more free time together they rush off to either the mountains or somewhere else. Her in-laws live in Dubrovnik and they often visits the place. She enjoys winter in Sofia, especially because of the good skiing, which her children also enjoy.
Borovets and Pamporovo are the two best places to ski for Novak and her family.
"As soon as you get out of Sofia you are attracted to the places around," she said. The family usually spends summer in Dubrovnik so that both children can see their grandparents.
Novak's spouse works for an American multinational pharmaceutical company and he was transferred to Sofia so the whole family relocated to Bulgaria two and a half years ago. This has been their first assignment outside of Slovenia and they are enjoying every moment of it. "It is challenging for me to be here because I knew so little about the country before I came here," Novak told The Echo.
Novak is never bored in Bulgaria, she goes to fitness clubs, enjoys horse-riding and meeting friends.
Novak has made many Bulgarian friends. "I love the people here," she said. People are the reason why she has learnt so much of Bulgaria's language, tradition, habits and lifestyle. "I believe that every person visiting any country should learn and do their best to speak the language of the place they are in," she said.
"I have nothing to complain about in Bulgaria and I have adapted," she said.
Novak is still young, at the age of 33 she finds that there are many opportunities in front of her, both on a business and personal level. She has assisted a group of Bulgarian artists to go to Slovenia, as a form of cultural exchange.
She feels its a pity that Bulgaria is not so well promoted overseas and particularly in Slovenia. On her Easter vacation this year she watched a documentary on Slovenia and her children started shouting happily that they knew the place.
"Ma look this is Slovenia on TV," she said, recalling the enthusiasm of her children.
