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ISEP Bulgaria

Fast Facts

Sessions Offered:

Fall, Spring, and Academic Year

Location:

Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria

Credit:

Transfer

Eligibility:

- UI Student with 3.0 GPA or above

- No Language Requirement

Application Due:

- Fall Semester: 2/15

- Spring Semester: 9/1

Program Cost:

Click the Application tab.

ISEP American University in Bulgaria - AUBG

beautiful buildings in the old city center.  bell tower, pillars and arches with contrasting colors of brick.

Old town in the Winter

American University in Bulgaria offers an incredible opportunity to University of Iowa students who desire to be in an incredible place while taking courses in English. AUBG students are energetic, enthusiastic, and highly intelligent. The multicultural student body includes 40 nationalities. Diversity is honored, inclusiveness is nurtured, and academic excellence is always the intellectual goal.

All courses are taught in English by a high-quality, international faculty experienced in teaching in a multicultural, learner-centered environment. The interactive teaching found at AUBG fosters the development of intellectual reflection, effective communication, personal initiative, individual self-expression, and civic responsibility.

Academics

main university building

University Building

The language of instruction at AUBG is English. The most appropriate fields of study for ISEP participants include European studies, business, computer science, journalism, and political science/ international relations.

AUBG is accredited both in the US and in Bulgaria, and academic credits are fully transferable in Europe and in the United States.

Students typically enroll in 4-5 classes per term which averages to 15 hours in class per week. A term runs for 15 weeks. Please check AUBG's website for courses.

Dates

Fall Semesters are typically from mid-August to mid-December.

Spring Semesters are typically from mid-January to mid-May.

About ISEP

These programs are incredibly immersive, affordable, and diverse – but they are not for everyone and placement is never guaranteed. All ISEP program sites have an on-site ISEP coordinator with a comprehensive orientation program to help facilitate your full immersion into your host culture. You will participate in regular university classes – taught by local professors – with students from the host culture. You essentially will be directly enrolled in the host institution and will also have complete access to all campus facilities as if you were a local student. If you're interested in ISEP possibilities, please make an appointment with the Study Abroad advisor for this region by calling 319-335-0353.

For more information

Steps to Studying Abroad

  1. Before initiating an application with ISEP, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa. 
  2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
  3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.
  


Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Blagoevgrad

Ariel shot of downtown.  Mountains in the distance and people walking down the grand boulevards.

Downtown

The Rough Guide to Bulgaria calls Blagoevgrad “the coolest place in southwest Bulgaria.” Undoubtedly a university town—with 20,000 of its 80,000 residents being students—it is also a vibrant economic and cultural center boasting a restored old quarter and quaint shopping plazas, along with dynamic clubs and cafes that are known as some of the most “stylish” in the country. Blagoevgrad is famous for its architecture and welcoming atmosphere, and the surrounding region abounds with natural beauty and tourist attractions such as the Rila Monastery, the ski resort of Bansko, the spa town of Sandanski, and the Seven Lakes of Rila Mountain. Bulgaria’s capital of Sofia, only an hour away, offers access to cities all over Europe, and Istanbul and Greece can be easily reached by train or bus.

Bulgaria

A member of the European Union since 2007, Bulgaria sits at an ancient crossroad between East and West. ISEP’s member university, the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), is located in the southwestern part of the country, in the major city of Blagoevgrad.

With its clean, quiet surroundings, walking plaza, shops, and restaurants, it is small enough for students to find anything they need within a few minutes. At the same time, the dynamic environment of outdoor cafes, movie theaters, and recreational facilities makes it possible for students to have a balanced life with both hard work and fun. Three majestic mountain ranges with picturesque lakes surround the region and offer outdoor activities for all seasons, and nearby historical and archaeological monuments include the ruins of Roman settlements, Early Christian basilicas, medieval Byzantine and Bulgarian towns, monasteries, and fortresses.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Housing and Meals

ISEP Exchange: Students live in shared rooms in on-campus residence halls and receive a stipend to purchase meals at the campus cafeterias. Additionally, common cooking facilities are available.

ISEP Direct: Students live in shared rooms in on-campus residence halls. Meals are not included, so students are responsible for purchasing their own meals. Common cooking facilities are available as are on campus dining facilities. Students should budget about $600 per semester for meals.

Travel Arrangements

Students are advised NOT to purchase airline tickets until they receive acceptance confirmation from the host university. If you have questions and/or concerns about this, please contact the Study Abroad advisor at 319-335-0353.

Students are expected to find their own flights, though Study Abroad can assist by providing advice on airfare. Oftentimes, host universities will be able to send a local student to the airport to meet incoming students. More information will be provided by the host university with the acceptance packet.

Local Transportation

Please see ISEP’s website of Daily Life in Bulgaria for further details

Eligibility

This program is open to all UI students who are in both good academic and also disciplinary standing. Applicants must also meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Meeting the minimum requirements for eligibility does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The final decision on admissions rests with ISEP and the host institution.

Eligibility Policy

It is the University of Iowa’s policy that all students who study abroad must be in both good academic standing and also good disciplinary standing. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad.

In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance and will NOT be allowed to study abroad. Any student that must forfeit their acceptance and/or attendance on a study abroad program due to a probationary status is wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.

Language Requirements

All courses at the American University in Bulgaria are taught in English.

Program Cost Sheet

This is the Cost Sheet for ISEP-Direct Bulgaria, Spring 2016PDF

Please contact Study Abroad for a current cost sheet that outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program. The cost sheet will include fees charged on students’ U-Bill, as well as estimated out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

The cost sheet includes the Study Abroad Administrative Fee and Mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance. Please see the respective websites for further details. If the fee is inclusive of UI tuition, it is calculated by Current Tuition. Please contact your study abroad advisor with questions regarding this cost sheet – call 319-335-0353 to schedule an appointment.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Most financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) is applicable to study abroad programs. Please check the Study Abroad website for information on financial aid and how it may be applied to studying abroad. You are also encouraged to speak with someone at the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.

Scholarship Opportunities exist for study abroad participants. Please explore Study Abroad’s websites for UI Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities, and Non-UI External Awards.

Withdrawal policy

After applying for a Study Abroad Program, notice of withdrawal must be made in writing to University of Iowa Study Abroad. The date on which the letter or e-mail message is received is the date by which your costs will be calculated. If for any reason you withdraw after the confirmation deadline and before or during the course of the program, the amount/percentage shown in the following chart represents what you will be required to pay to the University of Iowa.

Date of Withdrawal Student Financial Responsibility
After Confirmation of Participation is signed Administrative fee: $400
ISEP Placement fee: $395 ($495 for dual placement)
Portion of program fee: As determined by the program contract with ISEP
After Program Start Date Administrative fee: $400
ISEP Placement fee: $395 ($495 for dual placement)
Portion of program fee: As determined by the program contract with ISEP

Consult with your Study Abroad advisor for any clarification about fees and billing. Note that when you withdraw from a program, any money already paid directly to a program provider and/or a host university will potentially be forfeited. Check with your specific provider/host university for details. Additional penalties for cancellation of airline tickets may also apply. Check with your airline for further details.

Application Deadline

Spring Semester: 9/1. For best chances of placement on Exchange, students should have met with the ISEP advisor in May prior to the end of the semester, or during the summer.

Fall Semester and Academic Year: 2/15. For best chances of placement on Exchange, students should have met with the ISEP advisor in December prior to the end of the semester.

Any supplemental materials are due to the Study Abroad office one week later.

How to Apply

Click here for UI's online study abroad application. On the application page, you need to choose your desired session. Then choose the program "International Student Exchange Program" from the drop down menu. This is a generic application for all ISEP programs. Once your placement is confirmed from ISEP, Study Abroad will administratively put you in the appropriate section for your destination country.

Note: students must fill out two applications. In addition to UI's online study abroad application, you will also be required to fill out ISEP's application. BEFORE applying to ISEP, students MUST make an appointment with the study abroad advisor for this program. Students will not be allowed to apply unless they are first nominated by the University of Iowa. Please call 319-335-0353 to schedule an appointment.

Acceptance Materials

After submission of your UI online application, you will be invited to fill out an ISEP application. This is a lengthy process and needs to be started well ahead of the University of Iowa's deadline (at least a month prior). The University of Iowa is required to submit your completed ISEP application (they will not accept it if it is sent by you). When ISEP has reviewed your application and made a placement, they will notify you and your Study Abroad Advisor.

You will then be either confirmed or denied by the host university. If confirmed, then you will receive your initial acceptance materials via e-mail from ISEP. You will then meet with your Study Abroad Advisor to receive the remaining portion of your acceptance packet.

Orientation Information

You are required to attend both a pre-departure orientation here at the University of Iowa and an orientation upon arrival at AUBG. You will receive information regarding the University of Iowa orientation after your acceptance.

The orientation program at AUBG will be a week-long orientation prior to the start of classes. During this time new students receive information on academic advising and course selection, health care, campus activities, athletics, financial aid, career planning, residence life, and diversity awareness. Social events throughout the week provide opportunities to meet other students, Residence Assistants, Faculty, and Student Services personnel.

If you have any questions, please contact your Study Abroad Advisor by calling the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to schedule an appointment – or e-mail them.

ISEP Student Handbooks

Country Handbook for Bulgaria

ISEP Student Handbook

There are no photos available for this program yet. Do you have any photos to share with us? If you do, please contact us at:

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu