The always smilling guy | Velislav Tsenov
From a traditional Bulgarian dancer to a senior student ready to conquer the business world — that is the spectrum of interests and active life Velislav Tsenov seems to enjoy.
Born in Vratsa, the 22-year-old AUBG student says that applying for the university was a rather spontaneous decision.
“It really happened by chance. I was looking at different universities in the UK but something did not feel right.”
Eventually, after a presentation in his high school about AUBG, he applied. “It was perfect for me as the quality of teaching is high and I can stay in Bulgaria.” Even though he was on exchange in Toledo, Ohio, during his eleventh grade, Velislav, or Velko as his friends call him, says he did not like living and studying abroad.
When it comes to Velko’s AUBG life it could be best described as active and multidisciplinary. Part of three clubs — Radio AURA for a year, TEDx for three years, and StartUp for all four years, the Business major senior said that the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 was not well welcomed.
“It is still unpleasant, no matter that a year has passed. It has certainly ruined my plans both personally and professionally.”
But even with some challenges ahead of him, his commitments and obligations do not stop there. What keeps him motivated to push himself further is his role models and Velko does not need a second to think while speaking about them and the lessons he has learned.
“There are two people to whom I owe what I have become so far — my grandfather and my aunt. My grandfather was an amazing person; unfortunately I did not have the chance to learn as much from him as we had to say goodbye when I was just in fifth grade. However, if anyone should have one goal in life, it, for sure, should be to look and be like him.”
Taught to appreciate the little things in life and to be true to himself by his role models, Velko says that he is most grateful for being alive. “I am thankful for being alive, me and my closest ones. The other things you could achieve either by lots of hard work or lots of money,” Velko says with a smile.
So how does Velislav want to be remembered and what does he have to say to his younger self?
“Nothing. I think the freshmen me did a pretty good job to become the senior Velko — so no advice for him,” Velislav laughs. “I really want to be remembered as the cool guy, the cool friend and relative who you barely see, but when you do you are more than happy to. With one word — the open-minded joking guy who people love.”
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Martina Stoyanova is a student double majoring in Business Administration| Journalism and Mass Communication at the American University in Bulgaria. An interview between a sophomore and a senior about AUBG life and clubs, choices and achievements, role models, and something more.
