Students often describe the AUBG campus in Blagoevgrad as a “second home”. It’s a place of community, connection, and growth. It’s where they nurture their sweetest memories and transition into adulthood.
But for those who want to take an extra step toward building their professional life early-on while still engaging in the academic and community aspects of AUBG, the Sofia Semester offers a unique opportunity: one semester in the capital city, fusing morning classes at the Elieff Center with a professional internship in the afternoon at some of the most respected companies in Bulgaria.
“Sofia Semester is about using the city and AUBG’s networks more fully, especially our alumni and Executive MBA community, to give students real professional opportunities,” said Provost and Interim President Dr. J.D. Mininger as he opened an information session about the program on November 24 at the BAC Auditorium.
A unique study-away experience
“It’s essentially a study-away program for one semester, yet close to campus. In the U.S., they have study-away semesters abroad,” Dr. Mininger explained. “We don’t want to pull anybody away from campus for all that long.”
AUBG already has a powerful presence in the capital city, and the Sofia Semester allows students to make the most of that. The city hosts AUBG’s Elieff Center for Education and Culture, where our Executive MBA program and the Sofia Semester lectures are held. This gives students the opportunity to attend networking gatherings, Executive MBA events, and leadership talks.
“I would always wish for you to have six, seven, or eight semesters on the Blagoevgrad campus,” Dr. Mininger said. “But there’s a lot more that we can offer to a small group of people who want it.”
AUBG community in the capital
The community aspect of the AUBG education is what makes it so coveted among students. Those who wish to venture into the capital and expand their experience don’t need to be worried about missing out on that.
The Sofia Semester team has ensured that students have many opportunities to connect with each other, whether it’s through the chance to live in a modern, fully equipped studio-style accommodation near the Elieff Center with a common space, attend networking and cultural events in Sofia, or hang out together in-between lectures. There will also be many opportunities to travel together to campus and attend events in Blagoevgrad.
“If we manage to get 10 to 15 plus people involved, that would be a cohort of people staying and working together. It’s a common experience that can be quite rewarding and interesting too,” Dr. Mininger noted.
Professional internship
The Sofia Semester is the bridge between university and the professional world.
“Think of this as the step before full-on adulthood,” shared Christian Tenchev, a Sofia Semester alumnus. “You’re going to be doing a lot on your own, which is fun. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it allows you to do more. You can meet people, build connections, and work at places where you get real experience. I still keep a lot of the connections that I got from my job.”
The idea is that students attend their academic classes in the morning and spend afternoons at their internships, applying what they learn in class directly into their professional environment.
“Companies like Lufthansa Technik, Postbank, Ficosota, Visa, Karoll and others are not just open to AUBG interns – they’re actively asking for them,” said Professor Rossen Petkov, Sofia Semester Faculty Administrator.
The internships will be mostly pre-arranged, with companies submitting positions in advance through an internship menu. Students will be able to apply early, interview ahead of time, and secure placements before the semester even begins.
To support students, AUBG’s Career Center will offer help with crafting their CV and Cover Letter, as well as with interview preparation. They will also be able also join workshops and the annual Job & Internships Fair where they can directly meet with potential employers and shake hands on the spot.
Why internships matter
The value of in-person, professional experience is undoubtedly recognized by employers.
“When I worked in the industry and recruited for my teams, we would separate suitable candidates into two piles: those with in-person internship experience and those without,” Professor Rossen Petkov shared. “Sometimes we never even reached the second pile.”
An AUBG student who completes the Sofia Semester leaves with stronger confidence, workplace skills, and industry connections, which significantly boost their employability.
Living, studying, and working in Sofia
The course selection varies each year but consistently includes core courses, such as Strategic Management and Trends in Business, and electives, including Human Resource Management, Marketing Strategy, and Finance of Innovations. These are upper-level courses led by outstanding professors from the Business Department who also bring from-the-filed expertise.
Beyond academics, life in Sofia teaches students independence and provides them with many opportunities. The capital is famous for its dynamic business ecosystem, lively arts and culture scene, and almost daily networking events, giving students constant exposure to new ideas and professional pathways.
Who is the Sofia Semester for?
While the program is open to all, it is primarily intended for Business Administration students who will be in their 6th or 7th semester during the Fall 2026 Sofia Semester, typically students currently in their 4th or 5th semester.
The program attracts both Bulgarian students based in Sofia, who want to study in their home city, and international students, who may be living in Bulgaria for the first time and want to immerse themselves in the country’s most dynamic city.
Whatever your motivation to join the Sofia Semester is, you are sure to join a community of motivated and forward-thinking people, both within your cohort and your internship environment.
Visit the Sofia Semester webpage for more information or contact Professor Rossen Petkov at [email protected] with specific questions.
