Bulgaria Sofia Mission

Frequently Asked Questions

Newly Called Missionaries

History and Language

Food and Customs

Travel Information

Life as a Missionary

What are the laundry facilities like for missionaries?
Can I get my clothes dry cleaned while in Bulgaria?
Do they have grocery stores in Bulgaria?
Do missionaries have dinner appointments with members or will I have to cook for myself?
I was looking for information about Bulgaria and found reports from the CIA and other places that said Americans and foreigners are commonly targets for attacks and theft. Is this really a big problem like they say?

Serving in Serbia

Mailings, Phone Calls and Communication

Transportation

For Sisters

Newly Called Missionaries

I've just been called to Bulgaria, what do I do now?

First, chestito! or congratulations, as we would say in Bulgarian! Second, take time to enjoy and share your call with your friends and family. Once you've done that, you must start your preparations. Look here on the FAQ page, or on the forum for answers to questions.

How can I start preparing to go on my mission?

There are many things that you can do to prepare yourself temporally as well as spiritually. This answer will focus on the spiritual aspect as most of the other questions on this page focus on the temporal. Read the scriptures everyday, especially the Book of Mormon. If you can set aside 30 minutes for this, you will be building a good habit. Attend your meetings, including sacrament meeting and institute. Attend the temple as much as possible. Fast and pray for your future companions and for the members in Bulgaria. Go out with your ward missionaries or the full time missionaries as this is good practice. Most of all, enjoy your preparations, this is an exciting time in your life. Don't worry about jobs, girlfriends or what you will do when you get home. This is all far in the future. Your mission will be a growing, testimony building time and hopefully one of the best experiences in your life!

Where is the best place to look for information on Bulgaria and Serbia?

There are many places to look for information, the internet is one of the best and very convenient—just type whatever you want to know into a search engine and see what you find. There are also many great books on Bulgaria which are available on-line or in the library. They include:

A Concise History of Bulgaria by RJ Crampton. This book gives a great overview of Bulgarian History from the middle ages to the present. It also includes maps and pictures.
Teach Yourself Bulgarian. This is a great guide to beginning Bulgarian. There are lessons with basic grammar and conversations, the alphabet and numbers. Audio tapes can also be purchased separately that compliment the book. There is also a Teach Yourself Serbo-Croat book with tapes in this series.
Colloquial Bulgarian: A Complete Language Course by George D Papantchev. This book is very similar to the Teach Yourself series, but is more in depth and gives more grammar. There are also tapes available separately.
Mormon Missionaries Enter Eastern Europe by Kahlile B Mehr. This book is by far the best history of missionary work in Eastern Europe. Mehr begins his book with the labors of Mischa Markow in the late 19th century. The author documents the growth of the church country by country starting with Elder Markow's labors to the present day. Many pioneers of the church in Bulgaria and the first elders to serve in the country are mentioned by name. There is also a good amount of information on the Church in countries of the former Yugoslavia including Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.
Balkan Ghosts and Eastward to Tartary both by Robert D Kaplan. Kaplan, a reporter, has traveled extensively in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Balkan Ghosts gives excellent insight into life in the Balkans during communism and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It also includes information on the former Yugoslavia including Serbia. Eastward to Tartary is also a travelogue of sorts. Kaplan starts in Hungary and travels to Bulgaria via Romania. Again, this book like its predecessor gives a glimpse into "everyday" life in this part of the world.
The Balkans: A Short History by Mark Mazower. This book is a history of the entire Balkan Peninsula from Ottoman times to the late 19th and early 20th century. It focuses mostly on Serbia, but is still a good history of the region.
Bulgarian Rhapsody: The Best of Balkan Cuisine by Linda Joyce Forristal. If you are looking for tasty Bulgarian recipes that use American ingredients and measurements this is it! The author, Mother Linda, has collected recipes for salads, soups, main dishes, and breads and includes bits of culture along with her cooking wisdom. My family loves this book, as do I. If you have questions, you can e-mail Mother Linda and she will answer you back! Yummy!

My mission call says I will be learning Bulgarian. Will I be serving in Bulgaria the whole time?

Most likely yes, you will be assigned to Bulgaria the whole time. Bulgarian is only spoken in Bulgaria.

My mission call says I will be learning Serbian. Will I be serving in Serbia the whole time?

Yes you will be in Serbia the whole time. Serbian is only spoken in Serbia and Montenegro.

Will I be receiving a letter from my mission president?

Yes, after you accept your call you will receive a welcome letter from your president. Do not be alarmed, however, if it does not come right away. The mail coming from Bulgaria can be slow. Have patience and it will get there eventually! It's also a good idea when you get your call, to take a moment and send the president a letter. He will appreciate it, and it will give him a chance to know you before you get there.

Included with my call was a list of items to bring. Should I abide strictly to that list, or is it ok to modify it to fit my needs?

Yes, by all means modify the list if you need to. The list included is a list of suggested items, and sometimes can be a few years old. This question is discussed more in-depth in some of the other subheadings of the FAQ page, so keep reading...

History and Language

What is the Bulgarian language like?

Bulgarian is a Slavic language. Which means it's related to Russian, Ukrainian, Serbo-Croatian, Slovenian, Polish and Czech. It uses the Cyrillic alphabet which is the same alphabet that Russian uses. It is also phonetic, which means that each letter has its own sound. Once you've learned the alphabet you can start sounding out words. And as far as Slavic languages go, Bularian is the easiest to learn because there are no cases!

Will I be learning the discussions in the Cyrillic alphabet or in the Latin alphabet?

You will learn the Bulgarian discussions in the Cyrillic alphabet. Never fear, however. Cyrillic is a phonetic alphabet, which means each letter has it's own sound, which is the same all the time. Once you learn the sounds of the letters you will be able to sound out words and phrases. The faster you learn Cyrillic, the faster and easier your discussion learning will be! As a side note, you will receive a copy of the discussions in English to help you along.

Food and Customs

What is Bulgarian food like?

Bulgarian food is the best! In the summer there are many fresh fruits and vegetables in the market such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peaches, eggplant, apricots, quinces, apples, onions, potatoes and sweet peppers. Most people sell what they grow in their gardens, so everything is very fresh. In the winter more meat, such as lamb, veal and chicken is eaten, along with potatoes, cabbage and carrots. The most important menu item on any Bulgarian table is bread. Bread is literally life in Bulgaria. It is sold everywhere and is fresh from the oven all day long. There are also two types of cheese that everyone eats: sirine (a white cheese similar to feta) and Kashkaval which is a hard yellow cheese with a mild flavor. Bulgaria's most famous culinary item is kiselo milako or yogurt. In fact, the bacteria that are found in yogurt originated in Bulgaria. Kiselo milako is sold in every store and in every market. It comes in plain and fruit flavors and is very yummy!

Can I get things like peanut butter, mayonnaise and cold cereal in Bulgaria?

Yes and yes and yes, but with some conditions. If you look hard enough you will probably find a shop that sells peanut butter. It will most likely be a small jar (like a travel size) and expensive. When you do find it though it really is a treat. Second, there is mayonnaise in Bulgaria. In fact Bulgarians love it. Be aware, that it is not at all like anything you would get in the States. It has a very different taste, due to the fact that it's made with sunflower oil. Finally, as with peanut butter, you can find American cold ceral in some shops, you just have to hunt for it, and yes, it will be expensive. Most cereals that are sold are more "muselix" type cereals from Western Europe.

Do Bulgarians eat ice cream and Jell-O?

Yes, in fact in the summer time small ice cream cone stands pop up all over the streets. It's really cheap and really good. You can also get more expensive Greek ice cream in cartons. And Jell-O? How could you not have Jell-O? Well, it's not actual Jell-O from the States but the Greek equivalent.

Are there any places to get "American" food?

Yes. In Sofia, and the bigger cities, you can choose from McDonalds, KFC, and Pizza Hut. McDonalds is also in other places as well. There might be "American" restaurants, which try to serve American style food, but Bulgarian food is excellent! Be brave and try as many different things as you can.

Travel Information

How long is the flight to Bulgaria?

Your total travel time to Bulgaria, this includes actual flight time plus layovers and stops is about 24 hours. You will leave the MTC in Provo by bus early on your departure date. You will fly from the airport in SLC to a connecting hub/city in the east like Chicago, New York or Atlanta. This leg of the flight is between 4-5 hours. From there you will take your trans-Atlantic leg to a hub/city in Western Europe such as Frankfurt Germany or Vienna Austria. This leg of the journey is the longest and usually takes any where from 10-12 hours. The final leg will be from your Western Europe connection into Sofia. The flight time for this leg is usually 1–2 hours. Your layovers will depend on what cities you fly through, but be alert and pay attention to your travel leader. If you are called to Serbia, you will spend the night in Sofia and then take a 10 hour train ride from Sofia to Beograd, Serbia.

What should I take in my carry-on bag?

Take the things that you cannot live with out, such as eye-glasses, contact lenses and supplies, any medication (in its ORIGINAL packaging), water bottle, change of underwear, change of clothing (such as a clean shirt and socks. If your luggage is lost you will at least have something to put on and rise out), journal, scriptures, discussions, lip-balm (you will get very dehydrated on the plane due to the use of recycled air), toothbrush and toothpaste. Don't worry too much about bringing snacks or food. You will get fed on every leg of the trip. Remember when you leave the MTC, you are in the world as a representative of Jesus Christ. Do not do anything that would compromise this, such as watching the in-flight movie, which many times are rated R.

Do I need a visa to get into Bulgaria?

Americans coming into the country must have a visa, which can be purchased at the border. Missionaries are issued visas for longer periods of time. You will be given instructions at the MTC, and all of the details and arrangements will be made for you in the MTC by the great people in the travel department.

Life of as a Missionary

What are the laundry facilities like for missionaries?

Missionary apartments now have washing machines. These might not always work however. Never fear, you can wash your clothes the old fashioned way, by stomping them out in a bucket! If you don't want to do that, there are commercial laundromats. In these places you drop your clothes off in the morning and pick them up in the evening or the next day; you pay by the kilo. One of the great things about this is that your clothes will be dried in a dryer. Missionary apartments do not have clothes dryers, so if you are doing your own laundry you will have to use a clothes line to dry your clothes. In the winter just throw your clothes on the radiator pipes to dry, which will be faster than hanging them out on the line.

Can I get my clothes dry cleaned while in Bulgaria?

Yes. Look for a sign that says himichesto chistane (chemical cleaning). This is also very affordable for missionaries. Most laundry shops do both regular laundry and dry cleaning.

Do they have grocery stores in Bulgaria?

Yes, but they are not like the grocery stores in the States (like Smiths, Albertsons or Sam's Club). Most of the time Bulgarian stores, which are called Magazines are small and carry goods such as flour, sugar, jams, bread, yogurt, meat etc. Some magazines are better than others too. In every neighborhood there will be a bazaar. These are outdoor, open air markets. You can get everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to Drain-o, bug spray, light bulbs, and chewing gum... sometimes all from the same kiosk.

Do missionaries have dinner appointments with members or will I have to cook for myself?

Most of the time you will cook for yourself. Most members are very poor, but very hospitable and giving. It would place too much of a burden on the members to feed the missionaries every day. You will be given more than enough money every month to buy your own food. When you do however get an invitation to a member's home, you will be treated like royalty. Once a Bulgarian gets to know you, and trusts you, he or she will give you everything they have, to the extent that they will go without. They are very giving and gracious people. Remember to show your gratitude to them.

I was looking for information about Bulgaria and found reports from the CIA and other places that said Americans and foreigners are commonly targets for attacks and theft. Is this really a big problem like they say?

As an American you will stick out in Bulgaria and as a missionary you will stick out even more, there is just no getting around this. Yes, it is true that missionaries have been the targets and victims of attack and theft. Some of them minor, some not so minor. We don't say this to scare you, or to scare anyone, just as a matter of fact. As a missionary you have to realize that there are people that don't want you there, and the Adversary will always try to slow the Lord's work. Some Bulgarians, (and it's a very small number) see Western missionaries and their proselytizing efforts as an attack on Bulgaria itself. The majority of people you meet will not want to do you harm. They might not want to talk to you but they won't harm you. You will be verbally harassed more than anything else. Don't take it personally though. Missionaries have always had to endure these types of trials. And Bulgaria is a much safer place now than it was 10 years ago. The Church takes missionary safety very seriously. Missionaries are not sent to dangerous places.

Regarding theft—as an American in Bulgaria you will be far better off financially than the average Bulgarian. Yes, even as a poor missionary you will be better off. You will be asked for money, and people will try to pick your pockets. Here are some tips for staying safe:

Don't carry a lot of cash, unless you are going to spend it right away.
When you change your money put it all away before you go out on to the street.
Keep your wallet in your front pockets with a thick rubber band around it. If some one is trying to pick your pocket, you will be able to feel it.
Avoid carrying your things in a backpack. You might think you'll be able to feel someone picking you, but on a crowded bus you won't. Several elders found this out the hard way. They turned around and were cleaned out!
Be obeident! If your president tells you to stay out of certain areas or to be home at a specific time, do it. Don't question it. Just be obedient!
Sisters, carry your bags over your shoulder and across your body, and hold your purse close to your body when you are on the bus.
Be alert to what is going on around you. If you space out, you might lose out.
Follow the Spirit! If you feel like something bad is going to happen or a situation is not good, get out of there. Don't stick around.
Try to blend in as much as possible. For example, when you are on the bus try not to speak in loud tones, speak Bulgarian when you are in public.
Practice courtesy, give up your seats to the elderly or to women. Even if you are not shown kindness, be kind. Don't be the "ugly Americans".

Serving in Serbia

Has the Book of Mormon been translated into Serbian?

The Serbian Book of Mormon is in the process of being translated right now. There is a full version in Croatian, and this is what the missionaries and members use. The Church Distribution Center does have a listing of Serbian language materials (#93015202). This can be ordered from the Church website or through your ward clerk.

What are conditions like in Serbia?

They are very similar to those of Bulgaria. The church is not as large, due to the fact that missionaries have been pulled out and put back in many times over the last 30 years. Serbia is also not as well off economically as Bulgaria due to numerous civil wars and the Kosovo war in 1998-99.

What is the main religion in Serbia?

The majority of the Serbs are Serbian Orthodox. This is just another branch of the Orthodox religion sand is similar to Bulgarian and Greek Orthodox. It is more a "traditional" religion and is similar to being Italian and Catholic. There are small number of Muslims, Jews, Catholics and other religions as well.

What is the Serbian language like?

Serbian, or Serbski as it is called, is a south Slavic language related to Bulgarian and Russian. Serbian uses a modified Cyrillic Alphabet, meaning it has letters specific to itself. Its counter part Croatian or Hrvatski uses the Latin alphabet and is different in its grammatical forms and syntax. Compare the two here, or do your own search and see what you come up with. A good book to get of you want to get started early is Teach Yourself Serbo-Croatian from the Teach Yourself series.

Where can packages and mailings be sent to missionaries serving in Serbia?

Send things to the Church in Belgrad. The address is:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Milosa Pocerca 26

Belgrade 11000

Serbia & Montenegro

The price for packages will depend on the weight of the package.

How come there is not a lot of information on Serbia on this website?

Serbia was included in the Bulgaria Sofia Mission only a few years ago. The first missionaries there have only been home a short time. As has been said, conditions are similar to those in Bulgaria. If you have served in Serbia and would like to see more information added on this website, please contact us, we would really love you for it!

Mailings, Phone Calls and Communication

What is the best way to send something to Bulgaria?

You can send packages to Bulgaria through the United States Post Office or through a number of private shipping companies such as UPS, DHL or FedEx. The rates vary by weight of the package or letter being sent. So, the heavier the object the more you will pay to send it. It's also recommended that you send everything air mail. Be advised that air mail will be expensive! Avoid sending anything by slow boat or ground, as it will take 3-4 months to get there.

Is is safe to send things to Bulgaria?

Yes and no. You have to remember that Bulgaria was once a communist country, and not all of the old communist beauracratic operating procedures have been eliminated. What this means is, everything coming into the country through the regular mail is opened and inspected. Things sent by UPS, or other such private shipping companies can also be opened, but it's not as likely. This leads to occasional theft of items. Sometimes packages can be held at the customs office in Sofia. The missionary has to go and pick it up and pay for it as well. For these reasons it is suggested that if you cannot replace something that you want to send (ex. Grandpa's pocket watch, etc.) don't send it, because it might not get there! The mail can also be slow, as well. If you are in a hurry to get something to your missionary, send it by a private shipping company such as UPS, DHL or FedEx.

Can I send medications and vitamins to my missionary safely?

Yes, but send them in the original containers with the original unopened labels. A word of caution on this however, missionaries in the past, have run into problems with vitamins and dietary/herbal supplements being sent or brought in on their person, to the extent of spending time in jail. Bulgaria is a high drug traffic area, so customs officials and border guards are very wary of these things. This is not said to scare you, but rather to warn, so that if you are sending things you will be safe. As has been mentioned, the old communist suspicions and ways of doing things still exist, therefore caution is best observed. And again medicines, as with other items sent, may or may not be stolen or lost in the system. If in doubt leave it at home or don't send it. If you are a parent, contact the mission office with your questions. Many times medicines can be obtained in Bulgaria and there is no need to send them.

Can I send cookies, candy or food to my missionary safely?

Yes, but again, as has been mentioned, things may or may not end up missing. Only send non-perishable food items. If you want to send cookies send the dry ingredients instead of the cookies. They might be stale or crumbled by the time your missionary receives them. If your missionary really wants something "American" the following are good things to send: salad dressing mixes, chili/taco/fajita season packets, gravy/sauce mixes, root beer, Maple or other flavor extracts, kool-aid, muffin mixes, dry ingredients for cookies or brownies. Concerning food items sent, most perishable and wet ingredients can be found in Bulgaria, such as eggs, sugar, vanilla, leavenings, milk, flour and so on.

Can missionaries use e-mail to communicate with family and friends?

Yes, Bulgaria Sofia Missionaries are allowed to use e-mail on preparation day (p-day) which is Monday in the mission. They can use computers in "Internet Cafes". which is where you pay for the time you use the computer. Missionaries who are currently serving get an e-mail with the domain name myldsmail.com from the church, which they are to use during the course of their missions. Letters through the regular mail can also be sent and received, but this will take more time than sending e-mail.

Can my missionary call home from the MTC on Mother's Day and Christmas?

Unfortunately they cannot. At anyone time there can be 2000-4000 missionaries at the MTC. The facilities do not exist at the MTC to accommodate calling home on those special days. Missionaries serving in the MTC are allowed, with the permission of their branch president, to call home if there is an emergency. Missionaries are allowed to call home on Mother's Day and Christmas if they are in the field.

What is the least expensive way to call Bulgaria?

There are many more less expensive options for calling Bulgaria now as compared to 10 or even 5 years ago. The newest, and probably least expensive option, is a new phone company called FuturePhone. For the price of a regular long distance phone call to Iowa, you can call Bulgaria at any time with no time limits! (Unfortunately, this service is currently unavailable.) The second option is to call through a 10-10 number. There are many of these types of numbers. Compare rates at 10-10 Phone Rates. A third option is to buy a calling card. Some parents have suggested the following phone card companies:

Union Telecard. There are several different cards to choose from. Rates vary between 3-5 cents per minute.
Pintelecom. Again there are several different options. The cards are listed and rates vary by city, with Sofia being the cheapest. Rates are between 4-9 cents per minute. The rates for other cities including: Varna, Plovdiv, Burgas, Plevin, and Stara Zagora are also listed.
Pinzoo. With this company, there are no connection fees and there is a choice between rechargeable and non-rechargeable cards. The rates offered also vary by land lines and cell phones. The rates range between 4-6 cents per minute for calls to land lines.
Speedypin. This service offers a variety of cards to choose from with varying options on each card. The rates for Bulgaria vary between 1.4 to 3 cents per minute. Rates to Serbia are 6-7 cents per minute.

These links and rates were check and verified in April 2008, and are subject to change. Check with each company to see the most recent rates and services offered. If you find a good way to call and would like it added to this list, please contact us.

Transportation

Will I have to ride a bike in Bulgaria?

No! You will get to ride gradski transport (city transport) which consists of busses, trolleys and trams in Sofia. You will also do a lot of walking, as the transport system can sometimes be slow and inefficient.

How do I travel when I transfer areas?

You will go by city transport or a taxi (which are very cheap) if transferring in the city. Between cities you will most likely ride the train or the bus. On rare occasions the APs might take you in the van, but don't count on this last option.

Do most Bulgarians drive cars?

The average Bulgarian usually will not have a car. If a Bulgarian does have a car it will most likely be an old Russian Lada, which come in 5 designer colors (orange, bright green, brown, black and white). There are also old East German Trabi's, Czech Shokdas, and VWs. Slowly there have been Fords, Opels (GM of Europe), newer VWs and the gamut of luxury cars. Gas is also very expensive in Europe, prices can be in the $8.00 a gallon range, and this precludes most people from owning a car. Most people just take the City Transport to get around. It's everywhere, very cheap and there is usually a stop every block or so.

For Sisters

Can I wear printed skirts and patterned blouses?

Yes. You will see when you get in country that Bulgaria is awash with color. When buying your clothes however, make sure your clothes can mix/match and that they look professional and presentable for a missionary. Get clothes that will be easy to take care of. You will have a washing machine in your apartment, but you will not have a lot of time to fuss over your clothes. Most of all, buy things that you like and that you will feel comfortable in. You will be wearing your clothes over and over for 18 months.

What is an appropriate length for the hems of dresses and skirts?

Hems must fall below the knee, and cannot be floor length. The length suggested in your packet is mid-calf. This is not measured however, so slightly longer is fine. Keep in mind however, that longer skirts and dresses might cause you to trip when getting on the bus. Longer length skirts and dresses also pick up more mud in the wet times.

Can I wear short sleeved blouses in the summer?

Yes! It gets hot and you will be thankful for this! Your sleeve should cap off your shoulder, at least, and must cover your garments. A shirt sleeve that comes half way between the shoulder and the elbow is a good length.

Is there anything that I will not be able to find in Bulgaria, that I should take with me?

You will be able to get most everything you need in Bulgaria. Things like, soap, shampoo & conditioner, toothpaste, sun block, tampons, pads, nylons, hairspray, toothbrushes, lotions, and make-up are all there now. With this said, bring enough of your toiletry items to last you a few months in the country. That way, you will have the things you need while you figure out what you like and what you can get in Bulgaria, and if you can't find what you need you'll have time to write home and have it send over. Your trainer will be a big help as far as helping you find things. Don't be afraid to ask her for help.

Should I bring dresses, skirts/blouses or jumpers?

There is debate among the returned sisters on what is the best or most comfortable article of clothing. Bring what you like and what you feel comfortable in. Some sisters have discovered that jumpers are what pregnant ladies, and only pregnant ladies, wear. The advantage is that people give up their seats on the bus for you, but you might also have to explain that you are not pregnant. Some sisters swear that jumpers keep you cooler. This was not the case for me, but again, it's a personal choice. Bring what you like and know you will feel comfortable. There is nothing worse than having a whole bag of clothes that you hate. Also, do not feel obligated to get everything that the picture list, which comes in your call, shows. The model on that list, is wearing a variety of things. If there is something on the list that you know you don't like, don't feel obligated to bring it. You'll end up not wearing it, and it will only take up room in your bags. Keep in mind, whatever you wear, you need to look neat and presentable. You are representing the Lord, and should not use serving in a third world, Eastern European country as an excuse to be a slob.

How can I best prepare for dressing in the winter?

Layering is key in the winter. For sisters, winter presents some challenges. Your uniform is a dress. Dresses are great in the summer, because they keep you nice and cool. The same is true in the winter; they still keep you nice and cool. It's a good idea to take along a few pairs of thermal garment bottoms to prevent your rear-end and legs from freezing. These can be purchased at the Church Distribution and are very light weight, and take up little room in the suitcase. Also take tights, they go great over the thermal garments and when paired with knee length boots cannot be seen. The best of tights are the cotton/spandex blend, or wool blends. If you are going out in the off season, it might be hard to find them. Good places to look are Mervyn's, JC Penny's and Eddie Bauer. As for tops, longs sleeve blouses and/or turtle neck shirts in mix/match type colors are good. You can bring sweaters if you want, but wool sweaters and other clothing items are plentiful in Bulgaria. They are usually hand made, and are sold in the markets. The best place to get this type of things is in the Yarn/Wool section of the Zhenski (Woman's) Bazaar in Sofia. If you are not in Sofia, never fear, ask your companion or the members and they will help you find what you need. Shoes are mentioned in another question here, but it's worth mentioning again. It's best to purchase knee length, fur lined boots in the fall sometime. These will keep the bottom of your legs and your feet warm. Finally, as far as coats go... You can buy coats in Bulgaria. Some sisters bring wool or down coats from the states and are fine, and some wait to get a coat in country. If you are going out in the winter bring a coat to the MTC, it does get cold and snowy in Provo. Lastly, don't forget to bring a good pair of gloves or mittens, scarf and a hat. If your coat has a hood that is ideal as well.

What type of bag or purse should I use?

The missionary department discourages the use of backpacks, so if you were thinking of this, plan on something else. The reason for this is twofold; first, backpacks just do not look professional and present a too casual appearance. Second, backpacks are easy to pick-pocket. You might think you'd be able to feel someone getting into your bag, but on a crowded, jostling bus you won't. Many missionaries have ignored this and have turned around to find their backpacks stripped clean. To avoid this choose an over the shoulder bag (meaning you can put the strap over your shoulder and across your body) with room for your books and personal items. It's also good that any bag you get has some sort of inner pockets for your passport, visa, identification and money. If you have sisters serving in your home ward ask them to show you what they have.

Bulgaria Sofia Mission

Frequently Asked Questions

Newly Called Missionaries

History and Language

Food and Customs

Travel Information

Life as a Missionary

Serving in Serbia

Mailings, Phone Calls and Communication

Transportation

For Sisters

Newly Called Missionaries

History and Language

Food and Customs

Travel Information

Life of as a Missionary

Serving in Serbia

Mailings, Phone Calls and Communication

Transportation

For Sisters

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