Not your typical ‘About Me’ opening

Moving away from familiar faces and places is always difficult, but eventually rewarding as you realise how much you’ve grown and matured in the process. Back in 2008, the idea of going somewhere far away was both intensely appealing and just as much frightening.

I consider myself lucky for having parents who were supportive of my desire to explore greener pastures and who encouraged me to pursue that which provided me with a profound sense of contentment. As I moved, secure in the knowledge that I have that safety net of support, affection and acceptance to fall back on, I recall my father commenting on how life abroad will free me from some of the traditional constraints of my cultural conditioning or what we refer to as “Balkan mentality”. Of course, he has been nurturing the hope that I will return home to Bulgaria one day with all the knowledge and wisdom I’ve gained and maybe I will, but for the time being my place of residence remains Denmark – a country I instantly fall in love with for its laid back atmosphere and friendly inhabitants.

The last 7 years have been a huge learning curve as they taught me how to embrace uncertainty and flow comfortably with life’s diversity, bringing me the realisation that some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives are written when we consciously choose to leave fear behind and take a leap of faith. While it is true that nothing has panned out the way I thought it would, my stay in Denmark has provided me with a rich and exciting playground of self-discovery. I have found kindred spirits in academically minded friends who have enhanced the quality of my life in a wholesome way. I was also fortunate enough to spend the first years in pursuit of my Bachelor degree with my sister who helped me roll with life’s stormy waves while mapping out tomorrow’s destination. She has been instrumental in my choice to take a risk and venture from the tried, beaten track for which I will be forever grateful.

As I struggle finding the proper format for this introduction, I am reminded once again that writing is not an easy endeavour. It brings me, however, closer to my own center and invites me to reflect on my own purpose. So who is Magdalena Tashkova? An accidental ‘scholar’ and the eternal student of life. A curious mind and a voracious reader. Outside the academic world, I’ve always been an avid reader of classical literature. Not that I negate the significance of contemporary authors, but I find classic pieces to engrain messages that influence the readers to aspire for more depth in human interactions and aids them in better comprehending the human condition. They are also a prime example of how an all encompassing insight cannot be achieved solely through intellect, nudging us to look for the true value in people & things as opposed to being content with superficial appearances. What they most powerfully attempt to transmit, however, if one is really keen to ‘read between the lines’ is that authenticity is a currency of the most valuable kind.

My fascination with a broad range of topics, from philosophy and psychology to fiction and fairytales, is quite fitting given my tendency to withdraw from the social scene all too often and engage in research. Throw in the mix some political & legal analysis of ongoing military conflicts and news on the most recent developments occurring within the EU, as I strive to keep myself well informed about subjects that have an important bearing on my professional goals, and you have the full picture. Chaotic and scattered? Maybe a little. But all these interests and passions offer some exciting variety to my daily life. If you can’t travel, read! It is equally enriching and satisfying.

So here I am in between life chapters, hopefully anticipating the next ‘big thing’ and staying open to all the twists and curves in the road ahead.