What a Great Place Bulgaria Is Past Review
By Paul W (Political Science, University of Nebraska- Lincoln) for
ISEP Exchange: Blagoevgrad - Exchange Program at American University in Bulgaria
All I can think about is the next time I get to go abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading system and the teaching methods are very similar to US institutions as they are trying to adopt to a liberal university. The workload was a little lighter than usual which gives you the (very important) ability to travel. However, the most important part was how great the professors were. I have never been more intellectually challenged than at this university because of how well the professors knew the material and the key information they expected you to know. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone is helpful in finding what you need to know and translating when necessary. I never had any problems with the host program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food on campus is not fantastic, but because the exchange rate makes buying anything very cheap it's usually no problem to dine out or get food at the store right next to campus. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I lived with two Georgians, a Frenchman, a Spaniard, and a Bulgarian. I did not have to go anywhere to get some type of cultural experience. Because this is Europe you can walk for a couple of minutes and run into some piece of history. Add to that the advantage of traveling to Greece and Turkey, two very different countries, and you come out of it with a great cultural experience for a relatively cheap price. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health care is cheap and a doctor is at the university. However, Bulgaria is still a developing country so the hospitals (I heard from others) were not very good. As far as safety is concerned you would have to try to find trouble. Blago is a peaceful city, and as long as you understand a few key points given to you at the beginning of the semester you will be fine. |
| 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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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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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? | Do it. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Tyrranies and Illiberal Democracies |
| Course Department: | POLS 401 |
| Instructor: | Cosmina Tanasoiu |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | By far the best course I took. Funny, very intelligent professor and excellent material. |
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| Course Name/Rating: |
Culture and Power |
| Course Department: | POLS 401 |
| Instructor: | Ivelin Sardamov |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Another professor that knows what he's talking about. He taught me to think about power relations in ways that I have never considered before but will forever be on my mind. Tough questions are asked from day one and though the workload is small the quality must be great. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
