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American University in Bulgaria (AUBG)

Blagoevgrad 2700, Bulgaria
3.84 / 5 based on 18 reviews.

Reviews
International Partners
Programmes
Accreditations
66% of students recommend
18 reviews
Housing
4.2/5
 All experiences (18)
Student life
4.2/5
 5 stars (0)
Academic
2.9/5
 4 stars (12)
Languages
3.8/5
 3 stars (6)
Expenses
4.2/5
 2 stars (0)
Overall
4.3/5
 1 star (0)
“In conclusion, my study abroad program in Bulgaria changed my life. I can use it as a measuring tool in my life. For instance, events in my life happened either "before Bulgaria," or after. I returned to Bulgaria the following summer ('97), and additionally five more times. I have a new Bulgarian family vis a vis my wife. I would encourage any student to study at the American University. Moreover, I encourage them to leave their egosentric tendencies behind, and spend a lot of time with...” Read Review
earrabito, United States

American University in Bulgaria review by Edward

Review by Edward, The City University of New York, New York City, United States
Archaeology, Archeaology excavation provided by Brooklyn College in colla
HOUSING    
Personal assessment
Cost
KEY:
Couldn't have asked for more.
Pretty good.
Could've been better, but didn't lessen the overall experience.
Disappointing.
Facilities
Location
Cleanliness
Space
Type of housing: On campus
Arranged by: Home university
If returning, I would choose: Save money
Why?
Personal comments:
The accomodations were excellent. It was great to share rooms with international students. Living in the dorm allowed me to form bonds of friendship with a diverse group of people.
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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STUDENT LIFE    
Personal social experience
Activities
KEY:
Amazing! Hardly had time to study.
Plenty to do when I had the time.
So-so.
Did not get involved.
Nightlife
Travel
Overall
Describe host city: Students equally interact with the local and student community
Activities, Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal comments:
Most nights either started or ended in a local pub called, "Drum." Another good pub is called, "UnderGround."
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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ACADEMIC       2.0 / 5
My academic experiences
Quality of courses
KEY:
Fantastic.
Pretty good.
Could've been a bit better.
Disappointing.
Variety of courses
Availability/access to resources
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with other international students
Interaction with local students
Course recommendations:
I was in the region to study one course, so I did not have the pleasure to study at the University. The excavation there is lacking an educational structure. The professor in charge was more interested in "working" the students, but not educating them.



My opinion of the university assessment
Exams at end of course
KEY:
Liked it.
It was alright.
A bit annoying.
Didn't like it.
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course.
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
Overall
Personal comments:
Yes. It would be more advantageous if the professors and coordinators were more willing to teach the students, and make the excavation more interesting. For example, it was exciting to uncover artifacts from the Byzantine era, but without a historical perspective, the finds lacked relevence.

This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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Language difficulties
Social
KEY:
No problems.
I coped pretty well.
Sometimes it was difficult.
It was a constant struggle.
Educational
Administrative / Institutional
Overall
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge
How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases
Personal comments:
Since my study abroad program, I have married a woman from Sofia, and have learned the Bulgarian language to a modest level.
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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EXPENSES    
The accessibility of student needs
Second-hand text books
KEY:
Very easy.
Minimal effort.
Accessible but required effort.
Almost impossible.
Second-hand household items
Computers / Internet
Administrative
Money from home
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
None
Work opportunities:
I didn't want/need to work
Personal spending habits:
American dollar was very strong, while the local currency in Bulgaria (Leva) was struggling.
Food, Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Telephone, Housing: was less expensive than at home.
Personal comments:
I had a lot of difficulty cashing travellers checks in the small town of Blagoevgrad. Tip: take cash (no more than 1,000 USD allowed to be taken through customs).
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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OVERALL    
Important to choosing this university...
Academic reasons
KEY:
Very Important.
Important.
Not really important.
Unimportant.
Culture
Costs
Activities
Campus life
Party / people
Weather / Location
I wish I had known...
It was a pleasure to "learn as I went."
In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.



During my experience abroad, I ...
Became familiar with another culture
KEY:
Happened all the time.
Happened quite a lot.
Happened a bit.
Didn't happen.
Traveled
Improved language skills
Met people from other countries
Became more independent
Partied a lot
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies/career
Personal recommendation:
If at all possible avoid the summer excavation program. However, the curriculum at the American University is very strong, more challenging than many I have encountered in the States. I strongly recomend persuance of a undergraduate degree at this institution.



FINAL COMMENTS

In conclusion, my study abroad program in Bulgaria changed my life. I can use it as a measuring tool in my life. For instance, events in my life happened either "before Bulgaria," or after. I returned to Bulgaria the following summer ('97), and additionally five more times. I have a new Bulgarian family vis a vis my wife. I would encourage any student to study at the American University. Moreover, I encourage them to leave their egosentric tendencies behind, and spend a lot of time with Bulgarians.
This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
Was this review useful?   Yes · No


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