Frequent Asked Questions

• What is the SEEP? Is the South Eastern European Platform of ESN. An event intended to share knowledge about ESN and help to the integration of ESN members of different sections and countries. There will be workshops, presentations, integration events, sighteeing and a lot of fun! This event takes place once a year in a different location.
• When and where will SEEP 2010 take place? From the 4th to the 8th November 2010 in Veliko Tarnovo. The event will be only there and we will not travel to Sofia. You can arrive at the Sofia Airport though.
• Who can apply for SEEP? Every ESN member. SEEP is the regional platform of the south-eastern ESN countries, but of course it’s open for all the members. The countries in SEEP are: Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and Cyprus.
• If I’m a former SEEP participant, what are my chances to be accepted? Your chances are as good as the ones of anyone else! We will try to accept as many people as possible having a sex and country balance.
• When can I apply? From the 15th of August on.
• How much do I have to pay for SEEP?
  · 80 euros for early registrations (until the 12th of Sept)
  · 90 euros for regular registrations (after the 12th of September)
  · 100 euros for alumni
• How am I supposed to pay? Only by bank transfer (check the "Registration" menu).
• What time should I arrive? And when should I leave? As you know, SEEP starts on November the 4th. You can arrive to Veliko Tarnovo anytime during that day (remember to let us know when exactly you are planning to arrive so that we can pick you up from the station). There are no plenary sessions on the 4th, but the opening ceremony will be in the evening. The 8th of November is the departure day so you can plan your departure any time on or after the 8th.
• Would it be possible to come before the 4th of November and stay after the 8th of November? Yes. If you need help for booking hostels etc. in Sofia or Veliko Tarnovo, just let us know. We will try to help as many people as possible, but we don’t guarantee that we will meet all of your requirements. Additional payment per night shall apply.
• I’m coming with my boyfriend/girlfriend. Can we stay together in one room in the hotel? Yes, it should be possible but please  inform the incoming responsible in advance. We don’t guarantee that the same rules and prices apply for non-ESN boy/girlfriends. Before inviting one, please contact us.
• How many people stay in one room? Can I have my own one? On the website you will see the link to the hotel. There are rooms with two and three beds. It won’t be possible to be in a single room.
• What is the average temperature in Bulgaria in November? In November, the average temperature in Bulgaria is 10°C. But Veliko Tarnovo is in the mountains so sometimes we have early snow there. But in general the weather is very pleasant at that time.
• Are there any special things that I should take with me? Apart from everyday necessary things we advise you to bring shortlisted things that you will need during your stay in Bulgaria: evening (not too formal) clothes (there will be a banquet, for the opening ceremony), an umbrella (it might rain), EuroDinner food and drinks (check your email before you leave for any last minute recommendations).
• Is there Internet in the hotel? Yes, and it’s for free! You can take your notebook if you want.
• What documents should I take? Your student ID card, which gives you discounts on bus tickets abroad etc. If you do not have such ID, you can buy an ISIC card. If you cannot get one either, then you might have to pay for a regular ticket. Remember to have your health insurance card (if you are from an EU member-state or not). It is also advisable to have a copy of your passport/ID card.
• I have a passport, but it is going to expire in less than a year. Should I renew it? It is your responsibility to check the requirements to enter Bulgaria. Some countries require travelers to have a passport valid for several months past the expected date of departure from the country.
• What if I need a visa? Contact us as soon as possible. We will prepare and send you both by fax and via mail an invitation letter so that you can get the visa. You are supposed to pay it on your own. Remember that in that case your subscription fee will rise 18 euro more (see below "What is the procedure to get a Visa?")
• Are there any social activities planned besides just discussing? Of course! We want you to have fun, so every day you will be offered to join some activities  (clubbing, sightseeing, etc. :) On Monday we can organize for you a short trip in the surroundings of  Veliko Tarnovo so if it’s not urgent stay a few more days.
• How much money will I spend during my stay in Bulgaria? You will have all the food included in your participation fee. The only money you need is for clubbing and souvenirs. Some examples:
  • Water: 0,40 euro
  • Beer (0,5l) in a shop: 0,60 euro
  • Beer (0,5l) in a club: 1-1,5 euro
  • Cocktails: 3-4 euros
  • Pizza: 3-4-6 euros
  As you can see, everything is very cheap in Bulgaria. Once you get here, you will be even more surprised by the prices.
• What is the exchange rate in Bulgaria? 1 EUR = 1,95 leva.
• Where can I exchang money? In banks and exchange offices (you will see them here and there, usually they have signs saying "(ex)Change"). Make sure the exchange rate is not too different form the official one (1 EUR = 1,95 leva). You will also be able to exchange your national money, but we can't tell you what is the official exchange rate. NO commission should be applied to any exchanges.
• Will I be picked up from the train or bus station? Of course, yes! We will do our best to make your stay comfortable. We will also try to arrange a bus that will take the arrivals from Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo. But we will let you know about it before your arrival.
• How about the transportation within the city? Since the city is not vey big and since we are planning the event so that all the venues are close to each other, you will not need to use any public transportation. In case anything changes, we will let you know.
• What is the procedure to get a Visa? The participant who needs visa to come to Bulgaria has to receive an official invitation letter from "ESN Bulgaria" as inviting organization, which has to be given with the Visa application to the Bulgarian Embassy in his country. The official invitation letter represents a special document certified by a notary and the Migration service of the Ministry of Interior of Bulgaria. To issue such document we need:
  • Personal data: Full name, date of birth, sex, exact address and nationality of the participant.
  • 18 euros: for both the notary certification (around 7 euros) and the certification of the Migration service (around 11 euros). The best is to transfer the money together with the participation fee. If needed we will give you the invoices for his taxes on place.

We will pay the post expenses for sending the invitation letter. Just in case we will supply the participant with an additional letter from ESN Bulgaria explaining the purpose of his stay in Bulgaria and the SEEP event. This procedure is not difficult but it takes time, so all the participants who need visa should  contact us before the 15th of October.

• What kind of cooking facilities will you provide for the Eurodinner? Just the usual ones: knives, pots and so on, but NO heating machines, so bring your own if you need them. Of course, as in every four star hotel, you'll have your own fridge in your own room to keep your food fresh & cool
• What kind of electric sockets do you have in Bulgaria? Here we have the standard "Europlug" used in most of the European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey etc.)