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Evelina Galova
Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Evelina Galova had a very happy childhood.
“Growing up in a communist regime has drawbacks but for a kid it was a fantastic time. Crime free, free education and health system, cheap vacations all over the country. I played out with my friends at any free moment, regardless of the time of day – we were absolutely safe,” says Galova.
Social life in Bulgaria is a big deal, but it was an even bigger deal for Galova, being the daughter of one of top-three sports journalists in the country.
“I got to meet world champions, Olympic champions, etc. I used to keep a scrap book with the autographs from all these famous people I got to meet,” says Galova.
In 1997 Galova’s boyfriend, now her husband, wanted to start a life together in America.
“I was against that at first. I already had a college degree from back home, had a fabulous journalistic career in the making with my own radio sports-talk show and also worked for Bulgarian National Television Channel 1 as a sports reporter, so I was reluctant to leave home,” Galova said.
Evelina soon agreed to come to Milledgeville for six months as a trial.
“Communism had recently fallen, and these were scary times. People were shooting on the streets, the pension system in the country, and the bank system in the country, had crashed. We experienced 2,000 percent inflation in less than six months,” said Galova. The 6-month trial run turned into Evelina and her husband making Milledgeville a home.
Galova admits to having a culture shock when she moved to Milledgeville. Coming from a place like Europe to Milledgeville in the 1990s was a hard transition that took years to get used to. Watching Milledgeville grow and become more “civilized,” Galova began to enjoy her new life.
“There are way more places to go out to, to enjoy social life, to try new things,” Galova said.
Galova is an only child and extremely close with her mom.
“When I received my U.S. citizenship, I begged her to apply for one as well and a few years later she did. Now she lives here with us most of the year but goes back home every summer,” Galova said.
Galova received her second bachelor’s degree at Georgia College in journalism. She now works at Georgia College.
“It is a dream come true, I work with students who want to become better versions of themselves and that is so rewarding,” said Galova.
The unpredictability of her job is what she loves most.
“There are no two days that are alike. Between the equipment room, the computer labs, the radio station, and the TV studio. There is something that needs to be done at any time without a heads-up,” Galova said.
Galova and her husband have one daughter together. Watching her daughter grow and become her own person is her proudest moment in life, she shares.
“My dog and the cat listen to me more than my child does, but they are not as smart as she is, so maybe she is right to not take me very seriously,” said Galova.