Alumna Antonia Antova: 6 Months After the London Trip '25

In this short interview, Antonia Antova, an alumna of the London Trip '25, provides insights on her academic and career journey 6 months after the trip. Learn more about the impact of the program on Antonia's first-hand experience from her story below:

"My name is Antonia Antova, and I am a fifth-year medical student at the Medical University Sofia. Alongside my medical studies, I am part of the medical team at AstraZeneca, where I work as an Associate Medical Ethics Manager. My role focuses on ensuring scientific, regulatory, and ethical compliance across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, oncology, respiratory, immunology, and rare diseases. I also support the development of disease awareness campaigns, contributing to initiatives that translate scientific knowledge into responsible, patient-focused communication.

In parallel, I am a member of the Leadership Academy of the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria and a scholar of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, experiences that have further shaped my interest in leadership and long-term impact.

The Aleksander Foundation’s London Trip 2025 was a particularly enriching experience in this regard. Visits to Imperial College London, the London School of Economics, and London Business School highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and evidence-based decision-making when addressing complex, real-world challenges.

Equally impactful were the conversations with professionals from organizations such as McKinsey&Co., the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Microsoft, Meta, and Capital Group. Learning about their career paths and day-to-day work offered valuable insight into how specialized expertise, strategic thinking, and sustained commitment intersect within large, dynamic organizations. These exchanges reinforced my interest in roles that operate across systems, stakeholders, and geographies.

Being exposed to diverse institutional cultures and ways of thinking further strengthened my motivation to continue building a profile that combines medical knowledge with leadership capability, while remaining adaptable to different professional environments.

Finally, meeting accomplished Bulgarians working in globally respected institutions was particularly inspiring. Their openness and willingness to share insights highlighted the value of curiosity, consistency, and long-term perspective. I left London with renewed clarity, meaningful connections, and a strong sense of direction.

The London Trip 2025 was not only an academic and professional exploration, but also an experience that broadened my perspective and sharpened my understanding of how meaningful progress is achieved."