Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My semester at AUBG was an extremely fun and eye-opening experience. Past Review

By (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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
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

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

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Meeting kids from all over Eastern Europe and Central Asia
  • Living with students from other countries
  • Living in Bulgaria
* What could be improved?
  • Communication with AUBG before arrival in Bulgaria
  • The dining hall situation
* 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 Adventurer
The 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.