Photo By Staff Sgt. Nicholas Goodman | On 13 March, Staff Sergeant Dwight Parramore explained MREs to Bulgarian students...... read more read more
YAMBOL, BULGARIA (March 24, 2023) - On 13 March, Soldiers from the Army Support Activity-Black Sea (ASA-Black Sea), 1st Battalion 18th Infantry Regiment, and the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion stationed at Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA) visited students at the Language High School "Vasil Karagyozov" in Yambol, Bulgaria. The visit provided an opportunity for the Soldiers to interact with the students during a language and cultural exchange event.
The students, who are currently taking English classes, practiced their language skills by asking the Soldiers about American culture and their impressions of Bulgaria.
Soldiers also shared information about their military occupational specialty (MOS) and their roles in the Army.
As part of the event, students tasted Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs), which are given Soldiers during training or field operations.
The MREs offered the students a unique perspective on American food.
A question-and-answer segment allowed for further dialogue and the practice of English language skills.
When asked about his favorite Bulgarian food, 1st Lt. Evan Brandt, Chaplain, 1-18th Infantry Regiment, answered, "I love Banitsa," receiving a round of applause from the students.
Brandt emphasized the importance of these events, stating, "This type of event allows us to better interact with our Bulgarian counterparts and our Bulgarian friends here in Yambol. We also had the opportunity to see and learn some of the cultural differences between our American culture and the Bulgarian culture."
"We had the opportunity to really share our culture with the local students in Bulgaria,” said Sgt. 1st Class Amanda Davis, 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, who also highlighted the value of cultural exchanges. “it’s so important to have that exchange, and to learn about their culture just as much as they learn about ours."
The event was rewarding to not only the students but also the school staff, who were also engaged throughout the day and the activities.
"This is very important for the students to experience, to practice their language skills, and to learn,” said Yordan Milkov, Director of Language High School Vasil Karagyozov, who expressed the significance of the event for the students. “They’ll never forget this experience, and it will prepare them better for the future."
"It’s important to go out and conduct these community relations events,” said James Adamski, Deputy Garrison Manager, ASA-Black Sea, NSTA, underscoring the importance of community relations. “It’s important for the local communities to see that we view them as family."
The language and cultural exchange at the Language High School "Vasil Karagyozov" was a great success and demonstrated how the Army continues making a difference in the local communities of the host nation.
Building relationships within local communities is vital for the Army to give back, and get to know the communities that support them as it strengthens its ties with NATO partners.
| Date Taken: | 03.24.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2023 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 441130 |
| Location: | BG |
| Web Views: | 262 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, U.S. Soldiers Participate in Language and Cultural Exchange with Bulgarian Students, by Joshua Rojas, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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