My semester at AUBG was an extremely fun and eye-opening experience. Past Review
By A student (International Affairs, University of Maine at Orono) - abroad from 01/13/2014 to 05/09/2014 with
American University in Bulgaria: Blagoevgrad - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a tremendous amount about Eastern Europe, often simply from causal conversation with my fellow students. The chance to live in an environment where I could meet students from numerous countries over the course of my day-to-day activities was such a great experience that really expanded my horizons. Attending AUBG was undoubtedly a worthwhile experience and I am very grateful I had the opportunity to study there.
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. |
I had two great professors, one good one, and two that weren't so great. I'd recommend asking full-time AUBG students about professors as you create your schedule. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff was very approachable onsite in Bulgaria, however I was somehow left out of email communications between AUBG staff and the other American exchange students prior to my arrival. As a result, I was given the wrong arrival date and missed out on other useful information. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a suite, which consisted of a large room which I shared with two other students, a bathroom, and an adjoining double room. I got along very well with my roommates and I learned so much from them. |
* Food: |
The chef at the university was great, unfortunately he was fired only a few weeks into the semester and never replaced. Food was left out for most of the day and there were extremely limited options at the end of the semester. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I frequently traveled around the city and tried to speak Bulgarian whenever I could. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got a respiratory illness partway into the program, but I simply visited the university doctor and he wrote me a prescription for antibiotics. |
* Safety: |
I always felt very safe in Blagoevgrad. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
It was very easy to live on a student's budget during my semester at AUBG. I could easily but dinner for less than $5. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-25. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep track of how much money you spend because it can start to add up. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? |
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* What could be improved? |
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* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The semester will go by very quickly. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |