Love Your Home Country, Pavel Nestorov
Many young people in Bulgaria dream of living abroad. Some argue that you cannot find happiness and success if you stay here. Pavel Nestorov disagrees.
Pavel has lived in the USA for eight years and has decided to come back to Bulgaria where he was born. “Million times I have been asked why I returned,” says Pavel. And the answer is clear to him. “The way of life [in America] is way more stressful than here. Yes, you can earn more money but it comes with many more problems and stress and issues.” As a son of immigrant parents, he says he struggled when he arrived in America. His peers looked at him like he was from another planet.
“People do not understand that things are not like in movies or in media. In movies they would not show you what is really like to live there, they would show you only the good stuff,” he adds.
Pavel smiles and does not hesitate to share, even as he opens up about his most difficult moments. He looks away. In less than two months, he will graduate from AUBG with a degree in Political Science. He shares that he wants to contribute to Bulgaria’s international relations.
“I wanted to come back not just because I miss it, but because I want to make a difference, help, do something so that we go on a right path,” he explains. He got inspired for politics through conversations with his father.
Pavel says that he feels close to his family, although he travels back and forth between America and his hometown Sapareva Banya in order to see them. “Since I can remember, my family has always been separated,” he notes.
As a child, he grew up among his grandparents. One of his first memories is when he was 4 or 5 years old. He recalls his uncle and his grandpa took him fishing to the Seven Rila lakes, when it was still legal. He speaks fondly of his time in nature, both when he is there alone and with his loved ones.
Pavel says he does not suppress his emotions. The last time he cried was in the same room where he is now sitting comfortably. “I poured myself a glass of wine and reminisced about life, I cried for a while and went to sleep,” he chuckles.
