Vania Georgieva - Miss Universe Canada 2012 Profile

Vania Georgieva | Miss Universe Canada 2012

Age: 18

Height: 5'8"

Hometown: Ottawa

BIO: Vania Georgieva is born on the outskirts of a small city in Bulgaria, located at the base of the Rila mountain range.

Being raised by her grandparents, on their large farm property, she was raised to help around the farm and grew up loving the outdoors.

She harbours a great love and appreciation for nature. This can be seen in her daily eco-friendly activities and her involvement in the growing green movement.

She immigrated to Toronto at the age of six with only her parents and sister, leaving all of her other relatives in Bulgaria.

This was a difficult separation that, in combination with learning a new language and adapting to a new country, could be quite overwhelming.

She was able to overcome these challenges and excel in her language studies.

This experience was the first of much relocation in her life, which taught Vania to love change and adapt to new surroundings with ease. Meeting a variety of people along the way, she developed a love for the act of meeting new people and befriending a variety of individuals.

During high school, she focused on a holistic approach to life. She was able to maintain academic proficiency, meanwhile donating a large portion of her time to volunteer work in the community. She often coordinated and hosted events in her old grade schools. Participating in local park clean ups, Terry Fox runs, fundraising events, and much more, she was also able to work part time providing child care fulfilling her love for working with children.

While doing this she never forgot her number one priority: family. Vania is very close to her family and feels one’s family has the greatest influence in their life. She thanks her family for all the opportunities they have provided for her and their continuous support through every adventure/challenge she takes on. Having this close relationship, Vania always put aside time to spend with her family.

Being far away from her family while completing her bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science at the University of Ottawa is a challenge but as always, she focuses on the positive aspects of the situation and realizes the benefits of the final results. Once she finishes her education, Vania wants to be able to balance a career in international politics and humanitarian work around the world.

Throughout all the challenges that she faced, she found comfort in staying positive and being motivated by the words of an inspirational author, Robin Sharma: “Dare to dream that you are more than a sum of your current circumstances.” Vania believes that people should never stop trying to disprove other’s definition of impossible and that everyone has the strength within to achieve anything they truly desire.

Languages spoken fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language).

Bulgarian, English and French

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

I enjoy travelling, working out, playing sports, and dancing. I also enjoy baking. I love to learn about different cultures, study languages, and meet new people. What I enjoy most would have to be meeting new people. By doing so, you learn a lot about life through their experiences and interactions with individuals.

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

Hip-hop dance classes

Swimming lessons

Language classes

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

Volleyball and basketball

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

My sister, Julia Georgieva has had the most influence on my life. She has been a great role model who has always led by example and encouraged me to challenge myself. She has supported me through every adventure/ challenge I have taken upon myself. She is a hardworking woman who never gives up and always achieves the goals she has set no matter the obstacles she faces. I have the greatest respect for her and feel blessed to have her as my sister, my role model, and my friend.

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

My proudest personal accomplishment is getting accepted to all the Universities to which I applied to. Also I am very proud to have been granted a number of scholarships for my academic achievements.

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

Moving to Canada is one of the most interesting things that has happened to me. Being uprooted from my natural surroundings and being placed in a hectic city surrounding could have been overwhelming but I found great pleasure in the new experience.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

With a degree in Economics and Political Science, I would like to pursue a career in international politics and work with the development of economies in underdeveloped countries. At the moment I am doing my Bachelor’s degree in the University of Ottawa. I am also in the co-op program, which will provide me with valuable experience in my field. I plan to do my Masters in Global economics and International Politics abroad and therefore acquire another language and culture in the process.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

I don’t think there is yet a title for my “dream job.” My “dream job” entitles me to help the greatest amount of people whether it is financially, physically, spiritually, or emotionally. It involves interaction with others and continuous learning. A dream job for me would be more of something that you would not have to call a job but it would be part of your life style because you would enjoy it so much.

Are you currently a student?

Yes

If yes, where?

University of Ottawa

Area of study:

Joint Honours in Economics and Political Science

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was born in Bulgaria and moved to Canada when I was six years old. In Bulgaria I grew up in a house on the outskirts of the city, located at the base of the Rila mountain range. I grew up surrounded by nature and animals. My grandparents had a large property with many vegetable gardens and raised many animals. I was raised to help around the house and grew up loving the outdoors. When I moved to Canada, I entered school right away and had to learn English quickly. As a young child I did not understand the situation as well as my older sister, which in a way actually made the transition much easier for me. We would go back to Bulgaria during the summers to visit all of our relatives. Until high school I moved schools quite often. I lived in southern Ontario (Windsor area) from when I was 8 until the end of high school. From an early age I had the opportunity to travel and learn to adapt to changing environments. My diverse childhood has contributed greatly to the person I have become today.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

In 2011 and now in 2012, I had the opportunity to work with Mercedes as a sales representative at the International Auto Show. This was a great experience.

List any volunteering you have done.

Terry Fox Run: 2007-2011
Event Coordinator at local grade schools: 2007-2011
High School Mediator : 2009-2011
Kidney Foundation: 2011
Charity Fashion Show:2011
Local Park clean ups
Nuit Blanche: 2011

Where is the most interesting place you have been?

It is very hard to choose one of the places I have visited to be titled most interesting because they all had something specific that made them interesting in their own way. I have great memories in all the countries I have visited and would love to visit many more.

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

I hope in ten years, that I will have finished my Master’s degree and have established myself within an international organization or Canadian government. I also hope to have started a family.

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