American University in Bulgaria: A Hub of Liberal Arts Education in Eastern Europe

The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) stands as a distinctive institution, offering a blend of American-style liberal arts education within the vibrant cultural context of Eastern Europe. Founded in 1991, AUBG has grown into a multicultural university with a diverse student body and a commitment to academic excellence. This article explores the various facets of AUBG, from its academic programs and campus life to its notable alumni and contributions to the region.

A Foundation in Liberal Arts

The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) is a private, liberal arts university located in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Founded in 1991, the American University in Bulgaria is the first American-style, liberal arts undergraduate education institution in Eastern Europe. AUBG follows the traditional American-style of education liberal arts. This educational philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and the development of well-rounded individuals. AUBG confers undergraduate degrees in 12 academic majors as well as a self-designed major. More than 60% of the students graduate from AUBG with two majors or a major and a minor.

Academic Excellence and Accreditation

Baccalaureate degrees conferred by AUBG are accredited in both Bulgaria and the United States. AUBG is accredited both in the United States by NEASC and in Europe by Bulgaria’s National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation. This dual accreditation ensures that AUBG's programs meet rigorous standards of quality and are recognized internationally. AUBG offers coursework in English in a wide variety of subjects including music, theater, physics, psychology, and business. The university offers 13 bachelor programs, and an Executive MBA program.

For consecutive years, AUBG holds the top position nationally in Business Administration, European Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Political Science and International Relations. A university survey in 2016 found that sixty-five percent of graduating students received more than one job offer or higher degree program acceptance letter when they applied for work or a higher degree upon completing their studies at AUBG.

Campus Life and Facilities

The Skaptopara campus in Blagoevgrad is home to the university undergraduate programs. AUBG provides the best modern facilities in the region. From student accommodation to the fabulous award-winning building of America for Bulgaria Student Center, we have a world-class residential compound. The America for Bulgaria Student Center is a multicultural institution and provides an unrivaled cultural experience.

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Residence halls host table tennis, billiards, aerobic fitness rooms, and gym facilities. There are sports facilities with a basketball court, a football field, two tennis courts and a volleyball court. Those interested in skiing, hiking, horseback riding, boxing, kickboxing, aerobics, volleyball, baseball, yoga, taekwondo, softball, and karate have formed student clubs and intramural teams. Every year, AUBG holds its own Olympic Games. In the AUBG Olympics, students compete in sports disciplines, such as long jump, soccer, basketball, volleyball, arm wrestling, tug-of-war, horseshoe throwing, and boxing. The university has its own American football team, the AUBG Griffins. AUBG students can spend a year or a semester at one of several hundred universities in the United States through the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP).

Panitza Library

The Panitza Library is named for John Dimitry Panitza, a Bulgarian philanthropist and AUBG founder.

Student Life and Activities

AUBG provides access to the town of Blagoevgrad featuring a public park, cafes, and a history museum. The city where AUBG is located, Blagoevgrad, is a vibrant cultural center boasting of a restored old quarter, quaint shopping plazas and dynamic clubs and cafes. It is famous for its architecture and welcoming atmosphere, and the surrounding region abounds with natural beauty and tourist attractions.

Established in 1991, the AUBG Student Government is a directly elected representative body of the students at AUBG. The Student Government holds its sessions weekly. AUBG hosts chapters of international organizations, such as People to People International, AIESEC, the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society, and the Association for Computing Machinery. The Better Community Club members work on social projects. Their activities include a multi-year educational project at Blagoevgrad's "St. The AUBG Choir was created in 1993 by its director - associate professor of music - Hristo Krotev. The Broadway Performance Club stages musicals for the students and faculty every year. The AUBG community has already seen Chicago, West Side Story, Hairspray, Moulin Rouge, Grease, Memphis, All Shook Up, Burlesque, Catch me If You Can and Hair.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

AUBG launched its first Acceleration Program Elevate in 2019. This helps student entrepreneurs and recent alumni start their first businesses. During the four-month program, teams of two to four AUBGers have access to many workshops, training and a mentorship network of experienced entrepreneurs and AUBG alumni. Each team gets $5000 as capital to kick-start their development. In Fall 2016, the innovation hub "Aspire" opened doors. It encourages AUBG students to create something, whether it is a start-up business, a tech venture or a book. "Aspire" is a shared working space that aims to foster the exchange of ideas among the AUBG community and to facilitate the transformation of creative visions into reality.

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Notable Alumni

Close to 5,000 alumni have graduated from AUBG in the past 30 years, with 99.8 % employed or enrolled in grad school within a few months of graduation. AUBG alumni score remarkable compensation results.

Christo Grozev, AUBG graduate, Class of 1995, Bulgarian investigative journalist and author.
Manol Peykov, AUBG graduate, Class of 1995, Managing Partner at Janet 45 Print and Publishing.
Stefan Ivanov, AUBG graduate, Class of 1995, entrepreneur, co-founder the investment banking boutique Challenger Capital Management. Prior to establishing his own business, Stefan held leadership positions at Citibank in London, Brazil, South Korea, and Tunisia and most recently as CEO of Citibank in Bulgaria.
Elvin Guri, AUBG graduate, Class of 1996, CEO of Empower Capital Advisors and Manager of Empower Capital Fund I, a Jeremie-supported fund investing in Bulgarian lower and mid-market industrial companies.
Asparuh Koev, AUBG graduate, Class of 1998, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of the award-winning logistics AI platform Transmetrics. Since 2013, Transmetrics has grown from four co-founders to a team of more than 35 highly skilled employees working with renowned cargo and logistics companies across the globe.
Svetozar Georgiev, AUBG graduate, Class of 2000, co-founder of Telerik, Telerik Academy and Campus X. In 2013 US Progress Software acquired Telerik in a record $263 million deal.
Vassil Terziev, AUBG graduate, Class of 2001, Managing Partner at Eleven Ventures, an early stage VC fund focused on the SEE region. Prior to Eleven, Vassil served as Chief Innovation Officer of Progress Software (NASDAQ: PRGS) which he joined with the acquisition of Telerik, the co-company he co-founded in 2002. In 2013 US Progress Software acquired Telerik in a record $263 million deal. Terziev is the mayor of the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia.
Monika Evstatieva, AUBG graduate, Class of 2005, Senior Producer at NPR's Investigations Unit. Since 2006, Evstatieva has worked on various programs and NPR, including Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Weekend Edition and Tell Me More with Michel Martin.
Svetla Baeva, AUBG graduate, Class of 2007, Campaigns Director at Fine Acts, a global non-profit creative studio for social impact.
Rositsa Zaimova, AUBG graduate, Class of 2011, Partner and co-founder at Dalberg Data Insights (DDI), a data analytics firm based between Brussels, Nairobi, and Kampala, that helps governments and development agencies use data to better target, implement and evaluate their programs and initiatives.

Tuition, Cost & Aid

AUBG is a good choice for prospective students from the United States who are looking for a high-quality liberal arts education at a relatively affordable price.

In-Country Tuition: $11,700
Out-Of-Country Tuition: $11,700
Room and Board: $1,750
Books and Supplies: $580

Aid & Grants

Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants: $2,344,000

Admissions

AUBG has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Admissions Requirements

Transcript: Yes

Executive MBA Program

The first Executive MBA to be established in Bulgaria, the AUBG EMBA has successfully educated professionals in the region for 20 years. The intensive 16-month EMBA will equip you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a complex global business environment. Taught by world-renowned professors, the program will introduce you to both the latest academic theory and real-world business examples. Upon graduation, you join a supportive alumni community of business leaders and global change-makers.

A Multicultural Experience

AUBG is a multicultural institution and provides an unrivaled cultural experience. Today AUBG is home to about 1,000 students from 40+ countries, and 70+ faculty from almost 20 counties. International focus: AUBG has a strong international focus, with students from over 70 countries enrolled in its programs. All AUBG classes are taught in English.

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