In 2022, Frantsiska Kutevska (Fransi) reached out to me in response to an announcement I made to JMC students about internship opportunities. Our office was launching a new project—the Office Hours podcast—and we needed enthusiastic individuals to help bring it to life. Over the next two years, I had the privilege of watching her grow into her passion for journalism, excelling in academic projects, internships, and extracurricular activities.
After graduating from AUBG, she took advantage of the Work and Travel program in the U.S., a typical summer thing to do for many AUBGers, where she challenged herself to get out of her comfort zone once again. With that, she wrapped up her student life experiences and settled back in Bulgaria to her full-time job as a journalist for the renowned Bulgarian media outlet Capital.
An hour after her last exam at AUBG in May 2024, while her emotions around graduating and thoughts about the future were still unsettling, we sat down for one of our regular conversations—a reflective discussion about her time at the university and beyond. This time, though, it carried a heavier weight of emotions and pride, as I was seeing an adult ready to take the next step in her life journey.
When asked who she was in this moment, Fransi responded with characteristic honesty: “I just finished my last final exam, and I feel free from AUBG obligations. It’s all no studying now—maybe just getting ready for the commencement and prom. But it just hasn’t hit me yet—there are no more lectures, no more homework. It feels weird.”
For Fransi, this year marked the culmination of an intense journey of growth, not just academically, but personally. The transition from her early years at AUBG to this final moment was anything but smooth. I asked her to step aside for a moment and reflect on her last year as an AUBG student.
“This year, Fransi was a very stressed girl. At the beginning, I expected everything to be amazing, but things were different. My closest friends had graduated, and I felt like I didn’t have that group anymore. I thought I’d want to stay longer after graduating, but this year showed me—it’s time for me to go.”
Her AUBG journey began in 2020, in the middle of the global pandemic. She recalled how her first year was far from the regular AUBG experience. “In the beginning, like every other new student, I was scared and insecure. For the first week, I didn’t know anyone. Then I met Valeria, who became one of my closest friends. But just as I started to settle, the pandemic sent us all away. The first year didn’t feel real—it was subdued, not the full-blown AUBG experience.”
It wasn’t until her second year, when she came back to campus, that Fransi began to experience the AUBG life, as we know it. Clubs, classes, and campus life blossomed into a vibrant experience. She still remembers vividly the lifting of restrictions in 2021.
“I remember the day we got rid of masks—it was like the campus came alive again. Seeing everyone’s faces felt like a fresh start. It was so nice to finally be back with friends.”
Academically, Fransi’s path was a winding one. Starting as a history major, she briefly considered politics and economics before ultimately declaring Journalism and Mass Communication and History and Civilizations as her majors. The turning point came during an open house event where a professor suggested her to combine her love for history with journalism.
“To be a journalist, you need to know what you’re writing about’ and the advice stuck.”
“It was only in my third year, during Digital Storytelling with Professor Darina Sarelska, that I truly fell in love with the major. It made me realize the power of journalism to tell meaningful stories.”
Fransi’s third year brought its particular challenges, as she took on multiple responsibilities as a club leadership role, student assistant work, and, meanwhile, working on her double major. Despite the stress, she managed to excel academically, even maintaining a perfect GPA. However, the experience came with lessons about boundaries and self-care.
“At some point, I started Googling my symptoms. Don’t ever do that! It just feeds your anxiety. It taught me how important it is to take care of your mental health. You’re human, and you can’t do it all.”
Her internships, particularly one at Capital Plovdiv, solidified her passion for journalism. There, she tackled stories on public transportation and environmental issues, finding a close-knit and supportive team:
“It was such a safe environment to learn. They didn’t just leave me on my own. They helped, instructed, and shared their experience. It made me realize I wasn’t alone in facing challenges as a beginner journalist.”
As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Fransi if she had any special advice for future students.
“Let AUBG give you everything it can. It has shaped my way of thinking and opened so many doors. I’d choose it again, without hesitation.”
Her story is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of an AUBG education. It’s clear that wherever Fransi goes next, she’ll carry the lessons and experiences of her time here, ready to make her mark on the world.
