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Study Abroad Programs - American University in Bulgaria

The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) is a selective, residential, liberal arts university based upon the classic American model. The University offers nine majors and eleven minors, spanning the traditional core liberal arts programs as well as computer science and business.  The current mission of the American University in Bulgaria is “to educate students of outstanding potential in a community of academic excellence, diversity, and respect and to prepare them for democratic and ethical leadership in serving the needs of the region and the world.”

Watch the AUBG slideshow

Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s membership in the European Union is an opportunity to celebrate its heritage and define its future. At the crossroads of East and West, Bulgaria has one of the richest cultural histories in Europe. Situated in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria has close interactions with Western Europe as well as its many neighbors–bordered on the north by Romania, to the west by Serbia and Macedonia, to the south by Greece and Turkey, and to the east by the Black Sea, linking Bulgaria to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. You can witness first-hand a changing world. Map of Bulgaria.

Blagoevgrad
The Rough Guide to Bulgaria calls Blagoevgrad “the coolest place in southwest Bulgaria.” Located in the heart of Europe, 20,000 of its 80,000 residents are students. The Rough Guide goes on to describe “the lovingly restored old quarter”, and notes that Blagoevgrad’s clubs and cafes are the ‘most stylish’ in all of Bulgaria. The region abounds in natural beauty and tourist attractions such as the Rila Monastery, the spa town of Sandanski, and the Seven Lakes in the Rila Mountain. World class ski resorts are nearby in the magnificent Pirin Mountains. Istanbul is easily accessible by car or bus, and Greece is a one-hour drive. Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, is an hour away. Its international airport is your link to exciting cities all over Europe. Map of Blagoevgrad.
 
A University Town
Visitors to Blagoevgrad often call it a student-friendly city. With its clean quiet surroundings, walking plaza, shops, and restaurants, it is small enough for students to find anything they need within a few minutes. At the same time, the dynamic environment of outdoor cafes, movie theaters, and recreational facilities makes it possible for students to have a balanced life with both hard work and fun. As a closely-knit community, professors have an open-door policy and staff is always helpful.

Areas of Study:

Anthropology,  American Studies, Business Administration, Computer Science, Economics, English, European Politics, Fine Arts, History and Civilization, Information Systems, Journalism and Mass Communication, Mathematics, Philosophy and Religion, Political Science and International Relations, Rhetoric and Writing, and Southeast European Studies.

Requirement:

Minimum overall GPA 3.0

Academics:

The American University in Bulgaria offers an American-style liberal arts education with English as the language of instruction to students from countries of South Eastern Europe and beyond. Presently, AUBG offers ten major and eleven minor programs. Study abroad students usually take 4-5 courses at 3 credit hours each.

Budget for one semester:

Students participating in this exchange program pay ALL costs to UMaine at the same rate as a regular semester:

  • Tuition – 15 credit hours of in-state or out-of-state tuition to UMaine
  • Fees – mandatory fees for 15 credit hours to UMaine (Unified fee, Activity fee, Communication fee and Rec Center fee)
  • Housing for a double room – about $2,400 – paid to UMaine
  • Meal plan – about $2,200 – paid to UMaine
  • Airfare – $1,000-1,3000
  • Textbooks – $300
  • The visa application for Bulgaria for exchange students has no visa fee but students must travel to apply in person at the Bulgarian consulate in NYC.

Helpful Links:

Application process:

Schedule a meeting with the Study Abroad Advisor to start the study abroad process at 207-581-1509.

Last Modified On March 19, 2013


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