UNAIRNEWS – “It is amazing how much happened in only a few days.” For Assoc. Prof. Svetoslav Garov, MD, PhD, and Assoc. Prof. Petya Dimitrova Trendafilova, MPH, MBA, PhD, that single sentence captured an entire week at Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR).
Through the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Program, the two academics from the Medical University of Sofia, Bulgaria, spent seven days in Indonesia from 8 to 12 June 2026. The itinerary was filled with lectures, academic meetings, laboratory visits, and cultural experiences. Yet what stayed with them most was not the schedule itself, but the people they met along the way.
“It is amazing how much happened in only a few days,” Garov reflected. Although their visit lasted just one week, both described it as remarkably productive, personally enriching, and the beginning of a partnership they hope will continue for years to come.
From the moment they arrived, they noticed something that immediately distinguished their experience: the warmth of the Universitas Airlangga community. Petya recalled being surprised by how naturally everyone offered help.
“People are extremely polite,” she said. “Everybody is making an effort to help you. We are not really used to that, so it almost feels uncomfortable at first.”
That same warmth carried into the classroom. During their teaching sessions at the Faculty of Public Health and the Faculty of Dental Medicine, both academics found lecture halls filled with students eager to participate, even on what was supposed to be a study-from-home day.
“We were amazed to see a room full of students willingly coming to listen,” Petya said. “They were so respectful, so clever, and very involved.”
That same warmth carried into the classroom. During their teaching sessions at the Faculty of Public Health and the Faculty of Dental Medicine, both academics found lecture halls filled with students eager to participate, even on what was supposed to be a study-from-home day. “We were amazed to see a room full of students willingly coming to listen,” Petya said. “They were so respectful, so clever, and very involved.”
What impressed her even more was the enthusiasm students showed toward learning itself. “Here, students seem genuinely proud to be students,” she said. “They focus on learning and developing themselves.”
Beyond teaching, the visit quickly evolved into conversations about the future. A meeting with colleagues from the Faculty of Public Health, originally expected to be brief, turned into an extended discussion exploring opportunities for comparative research, joint publications, staff and student exchanges, and even future double-degree programs.
“It became a very fruitful conversation,” Garov recalled. “There were so many possibilities to discuss.”
Rather than seeing Erasmus+ as a one-time mobility program, both academics viewed it as the foundation of a long-term institutional partnership. “This is the beginning of a long partnership,” Garov said. “There are many opportunities for us to work together in the future.”
Their academic exploration continued with a visit to the Faculty of Dental Medicine, where they toured laboratories, learning facilities, and teaching spaces. Alongside discussions about higher education, they admired the faculty’s facilities and appreciated the opportunity to compare educational approaches between Indonesia and Bulgaria. Equally memorable was the university’s historic Dutch colonial-era architecture, which offered a distinctive glimpse into Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
Outside campus, Surabaya presented a different kind of classroom. For Garov, the city’s traffic was one of the first surprises.
“It was interesting for me because the traffic is very serious,” he laughed. “We do not have so many motorcycles in Bulgaria. At first, it looked like a kind of mess.” Yet the apparent chaos quickly revealed its own rhythm. “I did not see any car crashes,” he added with a smile.
As the week unfolded, both visitors found themselves reflecting less on the differences they observed and more on the values they experienced. Garov noted that while Bulgarian society tends to be more individualistic, Indonesia seemed to place greater emphasis on community, mutual respect, and helping others.
“I like your version better,” he said. “People are very respectful toward each other and everyone wants to help.”
For Petya, Indonesia offered a different perspective on everyday life. She was struck by the way culture, religion, and community appeared to shape daily interactions. “People are bright and shining,” she said. “Even if they do not speak the same language, they are still friendly and welcoming.” The experience encouraged her to reflect on the importance of community back home.
“I prefer your lifestyle,” she said. “When you grow up in this kind of environment, you gain a lot from it. I hope I can bring some of these values back to our country.”
Of course, their memories of Indonesia would not be complete without its food. From fresh seafood to the variety of breakfast and lunch dishes served throughout the program, every meal became another opportunity to discover something new. “The food was amazing,” Petya said enthusiastically.
Sometimes, however, it was the smallest gestures that left the deepest impression. During a visit to the European Union Centre, the visitors were delighted to find the Bulgarian flag carefully displayed on the meeting table. The thoughtful welcome sparked laughter and conversation, followed by an impromptu Eurovision moment as Petya proudly introduced one of Bulgaria’s memorable entries and shared stories behind the performance.
For Garov, another unforgettable aspect of Indonesia was its tropical climate. Coming from a country known for long, dark winters, he appreciated the warmth and sunshine that accompanied their stay. “You can see how good weather changes the mood of everybody,” he said. “The grey and dark weather influences your mood. The sun is extremely important for us.”
As their week in Indonesia came to an end, neither academic described it as a farewell. Instead, they spoke about future visits, future collaborations, and the relationships that had only just begun. “We hope there will be another opportunity to visit Indonesia,” they said.
For Garov and Petya, Erasmus+ was never simply about teaching abroad. It was about discovering new perspectives, building lasting partnerships, and finding inspiration in a community thousands of kilometers from home.
Their week at Universitas Airlangga may have lasted only seven days. But as they discovered, sometimes a single week is enough to change the way you see another country, and the possibilities of working together.
Written by Fiona Lim, Economics Student
Edited by Duriati Asmawati, Airlangga Global Engagement
