In view of the complicated situation surrounding the spread of COVID-19 and the imposed travel restrictions within Europe, we kindly ask all our students to stay calm and follow the measures and restrictions established in the country where they are currently located. The team of Varna University of Management is in constant contact on the one side with all employers and hosting institutions who have accepted our students for placements or studies and, on the other side, with all diplomatic representatives of the Republic of Bulgaria in the corresponding countries.

From all students who started their mobility between June 2019 and February 2020, 9 internships have already been terminated due to “force majeure” (5 students have successfully returned home and 4 are expected today). As of today, the students of Varna University of Management who remain abroad are located on the territory of Spain, UK, Hungary, Germany and Cyprus.

In this regard, the following actions have been taken:

Spain. There are 12 students in Spain, in the cities of Madrid (3), San Sebastian/Bilbao (4), Marbella (2), Alicante (2) and Zaragoza (1). Of these, 10 are Bulgarian nationals, 1 Irish and 1 Ugandan. A list with the exact location of each student has been sent to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Spain, with a request to be included in the list of people for whom a charter flight to Bulgaria shall be organized. Constant communication has been established with all employers in order to secure the wellbeing of our students mainly food and accommodation. Students in San Sebastian, Marbella and Alicante are provided with accommodation by their employers. Students in Madrid who found accommodation by themselves will continue to receive the employer-agreed funds for their period of residence in Spain. The student in Zaragoza is accommodated in the dormitory of the host university, where everything is provided. It is important to note that at present there are no Bulgarian citizens left without shelter and food.

UK. There are 3 students from Varna University of Management in the UK, all of them Bulgarian citizens. Continuous contact with employer and students is taking place.

Hungary. Two students from Varna University of Management (1 citizen of Kyrgyzstan and 1 of Ukraine) are on study mobility in Budapest. According to the anti-epidemic measures taken in Hungary, students continue their studies online at the dormitory of the host university, where they are provided with everything necessary. There is a constant connection with both students and the host university.

Germany. There are two Bulgarian nationals from Varna University of Management whose internship is still effective. Continuous contact with employer and students is taking place.

Cyprus. There is 1 student of  Varna University of Management in Cyprus, citizen of Norway. He is provided with accommodation by the employer. Continuous contact with employer and students is taking place.

We are appealing to all students not to panic, to follow all sanitary, hygiene and anti-epidemic standards and all measures and restrictions implemented in the countries where they are located.

We highly recommend all students to keep themselves up to date with information on closed borders and risk-index regarding all travels, with all communications of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as with all instructions from the authorities in the corresponding countries.

If you require assistance, please immediately contact your Career Coordinator at Varna University of Management or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria on the 24-hour phone numbers: +359 2 948 24 04; +359 2 971 38 56; +359 2 948 3052; +359 2 948 2552; +359 2 948 2085, as well as by email: crisis@mfa.bg. We advise all foreign students, in case of necessity to also contact the nearest diplomatic or consular delegation of their country of origin.

We remind you that according to the adopted extraordinary legislative measures in Bulgaria, upon return students are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine period.