Mia Marshall has been living the student life at AUBG vicariously since she was ten years old. “My brother and I would come to the Griffin Cafe, get a sandwich or something sweet, and sit there, just so we could feel like we were a part of it.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Mia spent every other summer in Blagoevgrad, where her mother is from. More than a decade later, she now finds herself in the same cafe, this time as a student, sitting with her AUBG peers and working on a group project.
Now in her senior year, Mia is certain she will stay in Blagoevgrad. She sees it as a beautiful place, full of potential, and her light is contagious – perhaps something we can all learn from.
A change that made sense
“I always wanted to live here at some point,” she says. “AUBG seemed like the perfect solution.”
As a child, Mia saw AUBG as this intriguing yet familiar place. “I was curious and admired the whole institution for being here,” she recalls. “I found it so cool and interesting to have this little American bubble in Blagoevgrad.”
When comparing it to universities in the U.S., Mia sees many similarities, but one key difference stands out. “The biggest difference, which I think is a benefit for AUBG, is the size,” she emphasizes. As a liberal arts institution, AUBG has around 1,300 students, which is much less than traditional U.S. universities. “But I think that works really well for us,” Mia adds. “You get the whole American university experience, but even more personal,” Mia adds.
After spending two years at a community college in the U.S., Mia decided to transfer to AUBG, finally making her dream to live in Blagoevgrad a reality. “I think that your early 20s are the best time to take a step like this,” she reflects. “This experience has helped me grow a lot as a person.”
While Mia brings an American perspective to Blagoevgrad, she also recognizes the broader impact of AUBG.
“Whether students realize it or not, they’re gaining a strong American perspective through this style of education and bringing it into Bulgaria,” she says. “I think AUBG is great for Blagoevgrad.”
A country full of possibility
Majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a minor in Bulgarian Language and Culture, Mia already has a clear vision for the future.
“Ideally, I want to live in Blagoevgrad,” she says. “I love this town so much, and I’d really like to build a career here.”
She sees potential everywhere – from hospitality and logistics to agriculture. Her path is already leaning toward entrepreneurship, and she has even started by privately tutoring English over the summer.
What drives her the most, however, is the fact that Bulgaria is at a stage when it’s ripe with opportunities.
“I think Bulgaria is in a very interesting stage right now,” she explains. “There’s so much room for growth across different industries and places. I feel like the opportunities here are so reachable, and I’m very excited for the future of Bulgaria over the next few years.”
Mia is determined to be part of Bulgaria’s story. She is already exploring NGOs and communities built by people who have returned to Bulgaria to create businesses and lives closer to nature. Mia is eager to find more like-minded people.
Seeing things differently
“I think coming here later in life versus growing up here, has allowed me to notice things that others might overlook,” Mia reflects.
While some her friends focus on the negatives, such as the infrastructure, Mia looks past that. “I’m never bored here,” she says. “Growing up in a bigger city, I admire the tightness of everything here. It feels more homey.”
From enjoying the breathtaking nature around the region to eating the homemade meals her grandmother prepares every night, Mia loves the everyday rhythm of life. “I have everything I need here: the nature, the people, the nightlife, the job opportunities. I feel very satisfied.”
Blagoevgrad’s location adds to its charm. Weekend trips to Greece or even spontaneous dinners in North Macedonia are part of her routine. “It’s a very special place,” she says.
The strong sense of community also draws Mia. She has been “fortunate enough”, as she says, “to have met people who took me under their wing and showed me everything.” She has built friendships both within the AUBG community and beyond.
“Culturally, the people are more supportive here than in the U.S., too,” she says. “It feels like one big family.”
The close-knit nature of Bulgarian culture is embedded in Mia since a young age. Growing up in a Bulgarian-influenced household, she was raised with traditions and celebrations, though not the language. Now, she is reconnecting with that part of her identity by taking Bulgarian classes.
“This culture is so deep; it’s so old,” she says. And for Mia, this is a journey of both coming back to her roots and building something new, back home, in Blagoevgrad.
