Let Us Walk You Through AUBG

AUBG is a premier university in Central and Eastern Europe offering outstanding American-style education recognized in both the U.S. and the EU.

AUBG Quick Facts

Students

Number of AUBG Students In Fall 2021 970
Undergraduate Students 946
Graduate Students 24
Nationalities Represented on Campus 46

Academics

Number of Faculty 88
Number of Majors Offered 13
Number of Minors Offered 20
Average Class Size 23

Graduation Rate 79%
Financial Aid Each Year $4.8M
% of Students Receiving Financial AID 76%
Retention Rate After the First Year 95%

Why AUBG

AUBG puts you in the center

The American University in Bulgaria combines outstanding education accredited in both the U.S. and the EU with exceptional student experience on a modern campus. Upon graduation, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to begin a successful international career, launch your own business, or continue your studies in a top university.

The one-of-a-kind liberal arts educational system at AUBG puts you at the center and gives you countless opportunities for growth and success. With top professors coming from five continents, small class sizes, a practice-oriented curriculum, and a variety of majors and minors, you devise your own curriculum and focus on the things you are most passionate about. Upon graduation, you receive an international diploma accredited in both the U.S. and the EU.
Life’s never boring at AUBG. You can choose from over 30 student clubs and attend an array of events and conferences with international speakers on campus. At AUBG, you live and study in state-of-the-art facilities, including one of the largest English-language libraries in South-East Europe, a gym, a running track, a Mac lab, and a JMC studio. You get to make friends and share experiences with some of the brightest students coming from over 40 countries from near and far.
And for when you want to explore your surroundings, Blagoevgrad offers a number of cafes and restaurants, hiking trails and a historical district, while Sofia is an hour drive away, Greece, North Macedonia and Serbia are just around the corner and most European capitals are on a short flight distance from the capital.
Upon graduation, you join a united international alumni network that strives to make a difference in the region and the world. Our graduates go on to study at some of the best universities in the world like Harvard, MIT and the London School of Economics, work for companies like Google, BBC and Unicef, or establish their own successful businesses.

Diversity

Being a student at AUBG feels like traveling around the world! With students from 40 different countries and faculty from 5 continents, we have a lot to celebrate.

We take diversity seriously at AUBG: our unique position as a global university in one of Europe’s most ancient civilizations gives us a point of view you won’t find elsewhere.
Back in 1991, it all started with one international student from Norway - Kasra Mottahedeh. Nowadays, AUBG is home to some of the brightest students from over 35 countries.
As technology continues to make the world of work more connected, there’s never been a better time to make broadening your horizons a top priority. It’s well know that diverse teams perform better, and at AUBG, our Diversity Program will give you the edge.
Our Diversity Program kicks off right in Orientation week with a half-day workshop. After that, our dedicated Diversity Team (made up of a representative cross-section of students, staff and administrators, all of whom get special training) lead many fun and varied events through the year to inspire and encourage you to get involved. Some examples are International Week and Taste Fest.

MISSION

Our Mission

AUBG Mission Statement

Educating Democratic Citizens for Leadership, Service, and Personal and Professional Success

Vision

Our Vision

Our Aspirations for the Next Five Years

Located in the Balkans but with broad international reach, AUBG will provide students with a compelling mix of curricular and co-curricular experiences that teach them the flexibility, curiosity, and versatility to meet the challenges of our fast-changing world. By emphasizing strong intercultural experiences, as well as an invigorating entrepreneurial spirit, AUBG will provide graduates with the tools to succeed personally and professionally and ethically in whatever endeavors they choose to pursue. AUBG will expand its reach by taking advantage of new educational technologies and a strong distance-learning program, increasing enrollment, enhancing its public presence throughout the region and the world, and continuing to serve as a liberal arts beacon supporting democratic values, compelling teaching, engaged scholarship, and a welcoming, inclusive, diverse, and pluralistic community.

I am grateful to AUBG for providing the conditions to explore my interests.

Nikolay Gerdzhikov ('13)

AUBG Leadership

AUBG is led by President Dr. David Evans. The Board of Trustees (BoT) is the unversity's governing body and sets the strategic direction for the development of the University. The University Council (UC) is designed to encourage participation and interaction of the broader AUBG community with the BoT, University administrators, faculty, students, and alumni. And the University Committees address matters of policy and ongoing concerns. Learn more below.

President

AUBG President

Dr. David R. Evans has been President of the American University in Bulgaria since 2019 and has over 24 years of progressively responsible experience in university administration.

More about AUBG President

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the American University in Bulgaria and sets the strategic direction for the development of the University. Board members support the public image of the university and are philanthropic leaders, setting an example through their support to inspire other donors and friends.

See Board of Trustees members

University Council

Acting as an established arm of the Board of Trustees of the American University in Bulgaria, the University Council (UC) is designed to encourage participation and interaction of the broader AUBG community with the BOT, University administrators, faculty, students, and alumni in a manner providing essential human and material support for selected activities. The mission of the UC is to help raise the profile of AUBG, locally, regionally, and internationally, by engaging the interests and resources of individuals and organizations that can contribute to the continuing success of the University. All activities planned and sponsored by the UC are undertaken with endorsement of the BoT and the University Administration. They are intended to harmonize with AUBG’s mission and complement the ongoing efforts of the University's fundraising, programs and activities.

See university council members

University Committees

The American University in Bulgaria relies on university committees for advice to key administrators on matters of policy. They address ongoing concerns of the University and are constituted as needed.

See University Committees

CIDC

We are working towards turning the Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship into a centerpiece of the university’s identity and continuing to educate the most prepared leaders to build a better, safer, more just future for all.

Learn more about CIDC

Public Documents

Institutional Research

Financial Statements

AUBG History

1991

June 24

First Opening Ceremony: AUBG opens doors with 16 full-time faculty members welcoming 208 brave students.

September 08

Institution Status

September 30

First day of classes.

November 01

First meeting of the AUBG Board of Directors.

September 01

Volga dormitory opens for student use

November 16

The first AUBG newspaper, Aspecter, was published.

December 01

First theater production staged at AUBG – Thorton Wilder’s “Our Town”, directed by Al Cyrus.

January 27

AUBG finds its voice: first choir established.

September 01

Bistritza Residence Hall first houses students. Curious fact: it was previously a presidential apartment of Bulgaria’s communist head of state, Todor Zhivkov.

April 05

Galina Chuleva ’95 becomes the first presidential medalist at AUBG.

May 07

First AUBG class graduates.

September 01

50 rooms are rented in the Riltzi Motel to accommodate the increasing number of students.

April 23

First More-Honors Academy show was organized.

September 11

Skaptopara I Residence Hall officially opens.

November 27

First ground broken on the Skaptopara campus.

September 01

FlashNews – the first online student publication – is launched.

November 22

First visit by U.S. President: Bill Clinton receives an honorary doctorate from AUBG.

March 28

AUBG receives accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

June 14

AUBG is accredited by the Bulgarian National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency.

October 05

Skaptopara II Residence Hall opens its doors to students.

October 04

Students bid farewell to Volga and Hilltop – the last dormitories outside the new campus.

March 19

Elieff Center for Education and Culture in Sofia officially opens.

May 11

First Executive MBA class graduates.

May 27

First Alumni Mega Reunion brings together all 11 classes of AUBG students.

April 01

First student-organized AUBG Olympics bring together more than 500 community members.

July 20

The Bulgarian National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency bestows the highest accreditation evaluation to AUBG.

October 20

The American University in Bulgaria celebrates its 15th anniversary.

May 12

New academic and administrative building opens officially.

April 10

First musical production by the Broadway Performance Club, Chicago, premieres.

September 03

New library building opens doors.

September 27

Elvin Guri ’96 receives the first Distinguished Alum Award.

October 04

Ground turned on the Skaptopara III Residence Hall.

April 03

AUBG grants the first Tchaprachikoff scholarships for graduate study at top 20 U.S. universities.

April 04

The Griffins American football club host the first national tournament in American flag football.

May 16

AUBG library named after Dimi and Yvonne Panitza at official ceremony.

January 20

AUBG and Blagoevgrad officials cut the ribbon on the Skaptopara III Residence Hall.

April 05

“Hairspray” becomes the first AUBG musical that goes on a national tour.

May 15

The New Academic Building becomes Balkanski Academic Center in honor of Professor Minko Balkanski.

March 01

AUBG graduate Georgi Iliev wins the 2010 Book of the Year award in Bulgaria for his novel Holy Fool: Dogtown.

May 14

Groundbreaking for America for Bulgaria Student Center.

October 03

AUBG marks its twentieth anniversary with a birthday gala in Sofia’s Ivan Vazov Theater.

October 19

New Student Center opens doors, named after America for Bulgaria Foundation.

March 15

Radio AURA, the oldest student club on campus, celebrates its 20th birthday.

May 10

The EMBA Program and the Elieff Center celebrate 10 years of excellence and achievements.

December 11

America for Bulgaria Student Center named Building of the Year.

November 06

AUBG’s website named “Institutional Website of the Year” in the 15th annual competition BG Website 2014.

April 25

The second alumni mega reunion gathered more than 300 alumni and at least as many students to celebrate 20 years since the commencement of the first AUBG class.

October 17

The ABF theater becomes the Dr. Carl Djerassi Theater Hall.

September 30

AUBG celebrates 25 years of academic excellence and educating bright minds from all over the world.

May 10

Elieff Center and EMBA Program Celebrate 15 Years in Sofia

May 19

Elvin Guri ’96 receives first-ever Distinguished AUBG Alumni Award for Social Innovation and Change established by Board member Princess Maria Louisa

November 04

Elevate, the first in the region accelerator program, launches to help student entrepreneurs and alumni start their businesses

September 08

Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, receives the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from AUBG.

September 09

AUBG MultiTalent Quest

September 16

AUBG Mega Reunion

November 12

AUBG Open House

March 01

The AUBG alumni-founded fin-tech company Payhawk becomes first-ever Bulgarian startup company valued at over $1 billion after raising $100m in a Lightspeed-led Series B extension.

September 24

AUBG Golf Tournament

September 06

Add/Drop Week

September 29

Russia, NATO and The West: Disinformation and Political Contestation in Central and Eastern Europe

September 15

Anne de Colbert-Christophorov Exhibition Opening

September 19

SEAccelerator Info Day

September 29

A Celebration of the New Minor in Creative Writing

September 29

Investigating Disinformation and Foreign-Sponsored Propaganda: A Case study of Montenegro

September 26

Защо да гласувам?

October 05

Modern Languages and Culture Welcome Party

October 05

Fulbright Bulgarian Leaders Grant – Funding Opportunities for MA or PhD programs

October 15

Parent’s Day

October 12

Elevated Ideas: Unboxd

October 13

AUBG Evening in Pristina

October 12

Visiting Poets and Writers Series: Poetry Reading by Slavica Gadzova

October 13

A Day of Deloitte @ AUBG

October 14

Clean Up Blagoevgrad

October 10

World Mental Health Day at AUBG

October 17

Elevated Ideas: Hangout

October 18

M&A Dynamics

October 21

Democracy: An Ongoing Search for Improved Government

October 19

AUBG Debate Club Open Meeting

October 20

DAAD Scholarships Information Evening

October 27

AUBG EMBA Leadership Talk with Georgi Malchev

November 12

EMBA Open House

October 24

Main Priorities of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union

November 05

AUBG Evening in Tirana

October 28

German Linguistics Conference

October 25

Study Night

October 26

PsyClub Escape Room

October 27

PsyClub Escape Room Day 2

October 27

A Night You Can Be Anyone

October 24

Me as a Student

October 26

[email protected]

November 04

DisDisinformation International Workshop

November 23

Black Wednesday: Thrift Bazaar II

November 09

[email protected]

November 14

From AUBG to Your Dream Job: Connect with People Who Make You Grow

November 10

Wall-E Movie Night

November 12

HubConf 2022

November 16

AUBG Civic Society Forum

November 25

Field Trip to Postbank: The Challenge to be a Manager

November 18

Marketing Communications Challenge ’22 2.0: The Mix for Success

November 14

Exhibition: Pieces of Home by Anna Stoeva (’09)

November 15

Book Reading with Professor Michael Harris Cohen

December 08

AUBG Alumni Special Holiday Evening

November 15

Master’s Programs and Scholarships in France

November 16

Challenging Wednesday: Table Tennis

November 16

Summer Research Grant Presentation

November 18

EU Weekend

November 18

Social media, Politics and Gender: Networked Power and Image-Making in the case of Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin

November 22

Book Presentation: Digital Transformation and the Future of Work: Global Trends, Local Consequences

November 23

History Evening: 110 Years Ago: Commemorating the Balkan Wars

November 21

Exhibition: US Bulgarian Relations

November 21

THE DIGITAL STATE: Benefits, Risks and the Way Forward

November 28

Lecture: Environmental Protection and Sustainability Development in CCHBC

November 29

AUBG Evening in Skopje

November 21

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: The Foreigner (BG)

November 21

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: Run Lola run (DE)

November 22

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: Hable con ella (ES)

November 22

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (FR)

November 23

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: The Foreigner (BG)

November 23

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: Run Lola Run (DE)

November 24

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: Hable con ella (ES)

November 24

Modern Languages and Cultures Movie Nights: Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (FR)

November 22

Elevate Founder Talk: Radoslav Georgiev

November 28

A Newsroom Simulation with Prof. Sarelska

November 29

Rising Interest Rates: What’s Next?

November 28

Theater Play: True West

November 29

Theater Play: True West

November 30

StartUP Conference 2022!

December 03

The March of the Inspirers

November 29

Elevate Founder Talk: Kosta Jordanov

November 30

Challenging Wednesday: Mini Olympics

November 29

A Day of ITCE at AUBG

December 05

Topics in Psychology

December 07

Christmas Bazaar

December 07

Elevate Founder Talk: Stoil Vasilev

December 05

Summer Opportunities in Greece with JobTrust

December 06

Train Your Way To Success Vol.2

December 05

Christmas Piano and Harp Concert

December 06

Theater Play: The Lark

December 07

Theater Play: The Lark

December 11

Concert: Prof. Krotev’s Applied Music Voice and AUBG Choir

January 04

Welcome to AUBG – a Student & Parent/Guardian Session

January 05

Student Billing & Students Loans Info Session

January 10

CANVAS Training

January 12

Computer Training

January 16

Move-in

January 16

Turn in your Health Record

January 16

Turn in Your Diploma

January 18

Welcome Breakfast

January 18

AUBG and YOU

January 18

Lunch Break

January 18

Get MentiFYed!

January 18

Health & Well-being Info Session for International Students

January 18

Advising and Writing Services Intro, Course Selection Workshop

January 18

Music and Pizza Night

January 19

English Placement Assessment

January 19

Math Placement Assessment

January 19

Diversity Training

January 19

Health & Well-being Info Session for Bulgarian Students

January 19

International Student Services Intro

January 19

MentiNight Out

January 20

Career Services Intro

January 20

Library Training Group A, B, C

January 20

Library Training Group D, E, F

January 20

Advising and Course Registration

January 20

Study Abroad Opportunities

January 18

Get ExCHANGED!

January 18

Advising and Course Registration

January 19

Interactive Workshop: How to Succeed as a Campus Citizen

January 19

Culinary Workshop: Traditional Bulgarian Cuisine

January 19

ExCHANGE Night Out

January 20

Advising and Course Registration

January 20

How to Thrive in the Residence Halls

January 21

Bulgarian Traditional Culture and Dance Workshop

January 21

Campus and Internet Safety Tips

January 21

Sports Night

January 22

Cultural Trip

January 23

Survival Bulgarian for Int’l Students

January 25

Alumni Evening in London

January 27

Alumni Evening in New York

January 31

AUBG Evening in Washington, D.C.

January 16

AUBG Info Session in Chicago

February 04

Coffee Break with AUBG, Cleveland

February 02

Coffee Break with AUBG, Washington, DC

January 29

School Visit at the Botev Academy Bulgarian School, Takoma Park, MD

February 05

NACAC National College Fair in Cleveland, OH

February 01

Documentary Screening: Morality is Goodness

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Let Us Walk You Through AUBG

AUBG Quick Facts

Students

Academics

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Why AUBG

Outstanding Academic Experience

A Vibrant Community

A Bright Tomorrow

Diversity

Our Mission

Our Vision

AUBG Leadership

AUBG President

Board of Trustees

University Council

University Committees

CIDC

Public Documents

AUBG History

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