American University in Bulgaria

Campus setting	Urban
Living cost	USD 639 per month
Student population	Small (1,000 or less)
International students	51%
Institution type	Private

About American University in Bulgaria

The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) is an American style liberal arts university that offers high-quality, affordable liberal arts education. Young talents from around the world gather at AUBG attracted by the opportunity to dive in the atmosphere of academic excellence and receive a globally-recognized diploma for 80% less than the cost of its equivalent in the U.S.

With 99 percent of students employed or enrolled in a higher degree university program within six months of graduation, it is no wonder that AUBG is home to bright minds from 40 countries as well as top international faculty. Instruction and communication outside the classroom take place in English, allowing students to connect, advance their future careers and gain access to knowledge easily. The liberal arts style of education teaches students how to think, not what to think and provides a broad overview of a variety of fields, while ensuring in-depth specialization in the chosen disciplines.

AUBG provides diverse program proposals and great freedom in selecting additional courses. In this manner, students are able to design their own curriculum. The small class sizes enable close personal mentorship.

AUBG’s faculty come from the world’s top schools (Harvard, Princeton and more) and work tirelessly on applying the newest teaching and hands-on learning methods.

Young people at AUBG are given the opportunity to learn actively outside the classroom and enjoy a very diverse and rewarding extracurricular environment. AUBG boasts more than 40 student clubs and societies where undergraduates gather to fulfill their interests and passions.

If students are looking to broaden their horizons, they have the opportunity to choose from exchange programs with over 300 partner universities in 10 different countries.

More than half of the students at AUBG are international. In Fall 2015, out of about a thousand students, 55% were from Bulgaria and 45% from countries like Russia, Albania, Mongolia or U.S.

Campus information

AUBG students live, study and work together in a state-of-the-art American style residential campus. The AUBG Skaptopara residence complex is situated in the heart of Blagoevgrad – a small, vibrant university town within an hour’s reach of the capital Sofia. The campus is a comfortable, cozy and green compound combining housing and academic buildings with sport and dining facilities as well as a professional theater hall and a variety of multi-purpose venues.

Since our students come from over 30 countries, living in halls feels like being part of a mini map of the world! In this safe, secure and comfortable environment, lifelong friendships are born and minds are opened amid diversity and mutual respect. At AUBG you will find: Services:

Advising Center
Career Center
Counseling Center
Health Center
International Student Services
Women and Gender Resources Center
A High-Tech Campus:
Computer labs
Multimedia labs
High-speed Wi-Fi Internet
Classrooms equipped as complete multimedia environments
Panitza Library:
Access to top electronic databases
110,000 books
28,000 electronic journals
125,000 electronic books
Facilities
Cutting-edge sports hall with a unique running track circling above the gym
Elegant theater hall
Self-service restaurant
Trendy coffee shop
Aerobics room
Music practice rooms
Study and social lounges

Close to 20% of the residents of Blagoevgrad are students. The town is located in the Struma river valley and has a mild climate, which creates a great atmosphere for enriching student experience with extracurricular activities, such as cultural, sports and other leisure events.

The Rough Guide to Bulgaria named the town the ‘coolest place in southwest Bulgaria,’ and with good reason. There’s something for everyone in this small and vibrant university town; cafes and bars in a lively cultural scene set against beautiful architecture, 2.5km of leafy park alley for strolling, a fascinating historical museum and a rich program of events. Nightclubs, opera, restaurants and over 100 theater performances per year keep the lively population entertained.

It’s easy to get away and experience some of Bulgaria’s most stunning natural attractions too: the spa town of Sandanski, the Seven Lakes of Rila and two world class ski resorts are close by. For those seeking adventures further afield, you’ll be happy to find Macedonia on the doorstep and the delights of Greece only an hour drive away.

Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe, in the northeast part of the Balkan Peninsula at the crossroads of civilizations both modern and ancient. Bordered by the Black Sea to the east and the Danube to the north, Bulgaria shares borders with Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Romania. It is a modern, forward-thinking country with a strong culture of innovation in its expanding business centers.

Bulgaria is one of the most diverse countries in Europe, and its relatively compact size and accessible highway system means you can travel from seaside to ski slope in a single day. With many hiking trails, protected sites of historic interest, spas, wine trails and opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure sports, Bulgaria is one of Europe’s most exciting, hospitable (and affordable) destinations!

Accommodation

Since our students come from over 40 countries, living in halls feels like being part of a mini map of the world! In this safe, secure and comfortable environment, lifelong friendships are born and minds are opened amid diversity and mutual respect. The residence halls are a smoke-free environment and disability accessible. Activity areas include aerobic rooms, music practice rooms, multipurpose rooms, billiard and ping pong areas, several television lounges, outside decks, kitchens, and cafes. All of our residence halls are secured 24 hours with a security guard. We have common areas where you can either study or rest along with your friends. If you need anything, you can go to the reception desk and ask a friendly Resident Assistant for help.

Resident Assistants are students who assist fellow students with living in the dorms. They are highly-motivated, highly-trained students who will help anyone feel at home on our campus.

Life in halls isn’t just about study, clubs and relaxation. Here at AUBG, all our residents take part in innovative and fun Wellness Programs every single semester. Covering six developmental areas, Wellness Programs can include activities as varied as movie screenings and debates led by professors, dance projects, sports and more. Residence Life and Housing puts on various events throughout the year, including Halloween festivities, speakers, entertainers and the intriguing Romance & Responsibility week. And last but not least, the Resident Assistants host a party for each floor during the semester. These floor parties always have a theme (yes, you get to dress up!) offering fun, companionship and refreshments.