Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Bulgaria: While the townsmen are grumpy, the AUBGers are a lot of fun. Past Review

By (Accounting/Finance, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 01/09/2013 to 05/02/2013 with

American University in Bulgaria: Blagoevgrad - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Knowing how people from other places in the world live is something I will definitely take away from my abroad experience. My experience was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Going out to eat ranged from $4USD- $10USD and it seems that things were about 75% as expensive as in the US.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take advantage of the excursions that the school sets up. I went to many places with the school for half or less than half of what they would have cost if I were to set the excursions up myself.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I only had a foreign language component because I chose to take Bulgarian as one of my courses.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A for Bulgarian
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? The school has many Bulgarian students who you could practice with.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Other International students
* What could be improved?
  • Food
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing. The experience of finding it out made my study abroad experience what it was.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.