It’s reasonable to think that the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) would have some American students. Indeed it does; but not many.
One student is Benjamin Whyman, a senior double majoring in Political Science and European Studies who is set to graduate this spring. How did he get here?
Originally from St Louis, Missouri, Benjamin moved with his family to the Oregon coast in 2016. From there, he was awarded a Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship to study abroad in Russia during his junior year of high school. While there, Benjamin volunteered at the U.S. consulate in Ekaterinburg, teaching English. In Russia, he got the bug for living abroad.
The bug skittered into reality thanks to consulate diplomats who encouraged Benjamin to explore university options outside of the U.S. They recommended AUBG as a great institution to get a good, affordable education. A number of the diplomats had previously visited the campus while posted in Sofia.
“The fact that you can graduate with both a European and U.S. accredited degree is really something special,” he said.
“I told my parents about AUBG. At 16, I didn’t know what to expect. All I knew was that I had fallen in love with the east, and was excited about the prospect of staying in the general region, but also living in the European Union.”
He talked with students there and staff at the international student office. “I chose AUBG and am really happy I did. It has been a wonderful experience, and provided many unique opportunities.”
He still marvels at the opportunities he said AUBG provides. “During my junior year, I was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad at the American University In Central Asia, which is located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This was made possible via the OSUN program which AUBG partners with.”
This experience enabled Benjamin to continue to develop in new ways, and to experience yet another culture different from his own. “My European Studies professor, Jean Crombois, organized an amazing trip to visit Brussels. It was there that I learned firsthand about how the EU truly operates. We met with representatives from the EU Commission, EU parliament, EU Council, the American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Mission to the EU, and NATO.”
“I also had the pleasure of meeting with AUBG alumni and realized what a valuable resource they are for new graduates. They offered to help me with my future plans.”
When not in the classroom, Benjamin remains active on campus, as president of the American Football Club, the Griffins. The club has over 45 active members, spanning four separate departments: sponsorship, marketing, logistics, and players. He gets plenty of encouragement and the raw materials for success from AUBG.
“When I first arrived on campus my freshman year, the club was around seven guys and a few girls for support passing around an American football. At the time we were barely enough to fill the positions on the field.”
“The equipment we had was 15 years old. I started officially coaching the second semester of my freshman year, and began to raise money outside of the university for new equipment. We now have over 45 members. I’ve coached guys from all over the world and share with them a devout cornerstone of American culture week in and week out. Griffins has hosted players from Palestine, Germany, France, Russia, India, North Macedonia, South Africa, Italy, Ireland, Georgia, Ukraine and Bulgaria to name a few.”
The perfect spiral
His football exploits led to an introduction to AUBG president Margee Ensign who knew a thing or two about American football. “For our opening game last year, I threw a ceremonial football to her. It was a dart, but she easily caught it and threw a perfect spiral back to me. I requested a meeting, and she was very gracious and helpful. The faculty and leadership are amazing. President Ensign is a great leader.”
When asked later about her football prowess, Dr. Ensign said that in primary school she was told she couldn’t play on the football team because she was a girl. Dismayed, she told her mom who called the principal of the school to discuss. Not only did Dr. Ensign make the team, but she also became the quarterback, throwing touchdown passes to boys who once questioned her fitness to join them. This was quite an accomplishment because the diminutive Dr. Ensign would struggle to see over the heads of the opposing linemen. Anyone who has met her knows she is more than prepared to overcome any obstacle.
“I commend Dr. Ensign for the work and vision that she has brought to the campus. She really cares for the students, community, and AUBG vision. My favorite endeavor of hers this year was the Thanksgiving dinner she organized that brought the campus community together.”
He said events like this are more than symbolic. “It’s natural, especially for the first and second year students, to group up and only stick with their fellow countrymen. It’s understandable, but it’s also important to transcend that. Get outside of your own comfort bubble and reach across to others, as the environment that we are in is truly unique.”
“The university helps in ways like the Thanksgiving dinner which brings everyone together for a common purpose—to simply give thanks for the good things we have in common. There were more than 300 people there. A great chance to get to know new individuals over a shared meal, and also celebrate giving thanks.”
The joys of Bulgaria
Benjamin’s experience in Bulgaria has been what he describes as a true blessing. “There is a certain authenticity in the way things are done here. Bulgarians are genuine. They are willing to listen to new ideas and have great conversations, but it is done in earnest on the foundation of trust and respect.” He thinks the future is bright for the country and Balkan region.
“Bulgaria in my opinion is really a hidden gem. Since it joined the EU in 2007, there has been a ton of development, yet the authenticity of its roots still remains which is my favorite part. Life in the U.S. for me was always about the hustle and bustle. Sometimes it seemed the moments slipped away without ever taking a moment to really appreciate them. For me, time moves slower here in the sense that people really savor and enjoy the little things. The future looks promising. I’m betting on it and would not be opposed to returning after grad school.”
Does he worry about the proximity and influence of Russia, not to mention the time he spent there learning the language? “I can’t name a single negative experience from my time living there. The people I met, and the families I lived with treated me like one of their own.”
“Politics are politics, but people are people. We all bleed red. I hope to one day use my language skills and prior experience to better bridge the gap between the United States and the Russian Federation. With time and prayer, this opportunity might just present itself.”
In his last semester as a student, Benjamin plans to establish a startup focusing on events and music promotion in Blagoevgrad. Young Bulgarians like American Hip Hop. He hopes to enroll in grad school at Georgetown University’s Center for Eurasian, Russian, and Eastern European Studies in the fall of 2026. Should he return to Bulgaria, he’ll receive a warm welcome back.
