American University in Bulgaria
- Study business, political science, and journalism in English the heart of Southeastern Europe
- Students live in on-campus residence halls with other international and Bulgarian students
- Located in Blagoevgrad in southwestern Bulgaria, AUBG is a perfect jumping off point for travel across Eastern Europe and the Balkans
AUBG students are energetic, enthusiastic, and highly intelligent. The multicultural student body includes 40 nationalities. Diversity is honored, inclusiveness is nurtured, and academic excellence is always the intellectual goal. Courses are taught by a high-quality, international faculty experienced in teaching in a multicultural, learner-centered environment. The interactive teaching found at AUBG fosters the development of intellectual reflection, effective communication, personal initiative, individual self-expression, and civic responsibility.
The Rough Guide to Bulgaria calls Blagoevgrad “the coolest place in southwest Bulgaria.” Undoubtedly a university town—with 20,000 of its 80,000 residents being students—it is also a vibrant economic and cultural center boasting a restored old quarter and quaint shopping plazas, along with dynamic clubs and cafes that are known as some of the most “stylish” in the country. Blagoevgrad is famous for its architecture and welcoming atmosphere, and the surrounding region abounds with natural beauty and tourist attractions such as the Rila Monastery, the ski resort of Bansko, the spa town of Sandanski, and the Seven Lakes of Rila Mountain. Bulgaria’s capital of Sofia, only an hour away, offers access to cities all over Europe, and Istanbul and Greece can be easily reached by train or bus.
The most appropriate fields of study for ISEP participants include European studies, business, computer science, journalism, and political science/ international relations.
AUBG is accredited both in the US and in Bulgaria, and academic credits are fully transferable to KU.
Students typically enroll in 4-5 classes per term which averages to 15 hours in class per week. A term runs for 15 weeks.
Courses can be found under the Course Schedule section.
ISEP Exchange: Students live in shared rooms in on-campus residence halls and receive a stipend to purchase meals at the campus cafeterias. Additionally, common cooking facilities are available.
ISEP Direct: Students live in shared rooms in on-campus residence halls. Meals are not included, so students are responsible for purchasing their own meals. Common cooking facilities are available as are on campus dining facilities. Students should budget about $600 per semester for meals.
Orientation
All first-year and transfer students participate in a week-long orientation program. During this time new students receive information on academic advising and course selection, health care, campus activities, athletics, financial aid, career planning, residence life, and diversity awareness.Social events throughout the week provide opportunities to meet other students, Residence Assistants, Faculty, and Student Services personnel.
Arrival Details
Airport pickup can be arranged for an additional fee if the host site is notified in advance.
Student Activities
AUBG offers a variety of sport opportunities, including baseball, tennis, boxing, chess, skiing, fitness, dancing, soccer, American football, swimming, and aerobics. Residence halls host table tennis, billiards and gym facilities. Those interested in skiing, hiking, boxing, kickboxing, aerobics, volleyball, baseball, yoga, tae kwon do, softball, and karate have formed student clubs and intramural teams. Every semester the soccer and basketball intramural competitions and the Bulgarians vs. Internationals tournaments stir the emotions of players and fans alike. AUBG is also ideally located for trips to the ski resorts of Bansko, Borovetz and Pamporovo.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Contact Kaitlyn Johnson at k.johnson@ku.edu for more information.
Further information on programs can be found on the ISEP Website.