Bulgaria is a completely different world, but so worth the visit. Past Review
By A student (Journalism, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 08/30/2015 to 12/22/2015 with
American University in Bulgaria: Blagoevgrad - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained a deeper appreciation for foreign culture and experienced what it was like to venture so far out of my comfort zone. It was definitely worth it. I tried so many new things and met so many incredible people and I will never forget my experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic side of this university was sub par in comparison with the education system. Not only were classes not academically challenging, I found many of the professors to be incompetent and unreasonable. The academic side of my study abroad experience was the main reason I decided to come back a semester early. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was both unprofessional and impossible to get in contact with. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food on campus is abysmal, but the food in surrounding areas in really good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The doctor is extremely quick to recommend you to a specialist, but Healthcare is very affordable. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much money as possible BEFORE you go so that you can travel while you're over there! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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 |
| 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? | Practice all the time even when they laugh at you. |
Other Program Information
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* 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? | Just how different it is over there. For awhile I didn't know what I had gotten myself into, and it was scary. I also wish I had learned the Cyrillic alphabet. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
