Yourto
Success Path
Contents : CHOOSE AUBG Exciting Opportunities 10 Reasons to Attend AUBG
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CHALLENGE YOURSELF Have a Say Experience Excellence Broaden Your Horizons Apply Your Knowledge
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JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
Your Path to Success
Embrace Diversity Learn from the Best Join the AUBG Alumni Network
16-17 18-19 20-21
DISCOVER THE PLACE Have a Home Away from Home
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INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE Consider the Options Apply to AUBG Visit Us
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Choose AUBG
Reasons to Attend AUBG
4. Outstanding international faculty, about 30% American out of 52% international from 13 countries. At AUBG you will not only get a superb American liberal arts education that will prepare you for professional and academic careers, you will also be part of a unique community of inquisitive, ambitious, and motivated individuals from all over the world. The diverse student body benefits from an international faculty with a global perspective. In a close-knit community you will find professors have an open-door policy and are ready to spend time with you individually. Accreditation from both the United States and Bulgaria ensures that your four-year bachelor’s degree is recognized worldwide. Your education will prepare you for personal and professional success. With an intercultural perspective and a strong academic background, AUBG graduates take their places in a rapidly changing world with confidence.
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Are you ready to meet the challenge?
AUBG is about opportunity: You can realize all your ideas, you can make many friends, you can gain so many different perspectives on so many different topics, and you can always come back here. AUBG has been a great experience.
5. Close student-faculty interaction, collaborative learning, small classes, open office hours.
Irina Maneva ’09 Bulgaria Economics
6. Environment which stimulates and encourages free expression of ideas and opinions. 7. Individual program flexibility and choices to match your talents. 1. Diploma recognized worldwide + European Diploma Supplement. 2. High-quality education that prepares you for a successful career and life. 3. Talented, active, and diverse student body, 37% international from 35 countries.
8. Vibrant campus life of lectures, concerts, plays, and co-curricular activities. 9. Successful alumni in leadership roles and attending top graduate schools. 10. Financial support through financial aid, scholarships, work-study, student loans, and work and travel programs available.
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Challenge Yourself One of the most important reasons students choose AUBG is that they can plan their own program and make the choices that match their interests and their future plans. You can meet the requirements for your major and still have space in your schedule for “elective” courses on a variety of fascinating topics. It is possible even to choose two majors or a major and a minor. Many students find that supplementing their major with a complementary discipline is useful for both career flexibility and graduate study. You have a choice of many minors, for example: Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, European Studies, Fine Arts, History, Information Systems, Journalism and Mass Communication, Mathematics, Political Science and International Relations. We want to help you find not just a job, but also a purpose in life.
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Have a Say AUBG offers a lot of opportunities for your personal and intellectual development, and it is simply your responsibility to explore those possibilities. Laila Zulkaphil ’09 Mongolia Political Science and International Relations
Our majors include: • Business Administration • Computer Science • Economics • European Studies • History and Civilizations • Information Systems • Journalism and Mass Communication • Mathematics • Political Science and International Relations
You have a lot of choice here. You are not put into a position where you have to follow a rigid program for four years. When I came here I wanted to study Political Science and International Relations but I discovered Journalism and Radio AURA. The best thing about AUBG is that you have a chance to discover your strengths and develop them. Velina Getova ’10 Bulgaria Journalism and Mass Communication and Business Administration
AUBG is the perfect place for a young person to study in Bulgaria. Liberal arts education broadens your mind. The flexible curriculum allows you to choose courses according to your interests, which improves your chances for graduate studies in Europe or the U.S. The technical spheres, such as Mathematics, are taught at a very high level. Stefan Tsvetkov ’09 Bulgaria Mathematics and Economics Recipient of the AUBG Tchaprachikoff scholarship to attend a graduate program at Columbia University, United States
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Challenge Yourself With teaching as their top priority, faculty make use of technology, interactive learning, and hands-on application to ensure an engaging classroom environment. Ask AUBG students and they will tell you that they receive individual attention in small classes, and have many opportunities to interact one-on-one with their professors, both during open office hours and in informal settings. Faculty enjoy a lively exchange of ideas and will share their ideas and activities as mentors. The average class size is about 24. As a result of this type of professor-student interaction you will have excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to use information and creativity to solve problems, and the capacity to understand diverse points of view.
In the classroom we are not passive observers but active participants in the educational process. Professors are not just lecturers, but facilitators of learning. AUBG is not about adopting somebody else’s arguments, it’s a journey - you explore various viewpoints and construct your own arguments.
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Filip Taseski ’09 Macedonia Political Science and International Relations and Business Administration
Experience
Excellence
AUBG students are active learners who do not just study, but explore. Sharing thoughts and insights with my fellow-students, the challenge of in and out of class discussions contributes to the dynamism of my learning experience at AUBG.
This is a pretty challenging environment. We have to study a lot. We spend a lot of time with books, solve problems, and work in groups. And it’s rewarding - you understand, you don’t memorize, you get to the heart of the matter.
Ekaterina Saeva ’10 Bulgaria European Studies and Business Administration
Daniyar Abenov ’09 Kazakhstan Business Administration
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Challenge Yourself
Juggling academics and extracurricular activities gets really tough sometimes. But it’s exciting. In the end you feel that you’ve achieved something.
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Jelena Vicic ’11 Serbia Journalism and Mass Communication
roadenorizons H our
Take as much advantage as possible of all the opportunities AUBG offers: from academics to arts, acting, sports, debating, community service… The more you get involved, the more fields you get interested in - you broaden your horizons.
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Vaska Dimitrova ’09 Macedonia Economics and Computer Science
Learning is not just for the classroom. Student Government representatives practice leadership. Active student media keep the campus informed. In team sports, students extend their teamwork skills developed through class group projects. Through environmental initiatives, students demonstrate their commitment to public service and the community where they live. Theater enthusiasts put on plays and musicals that inspire and educate. Get involved!
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Challenge Yourself
Musical
I do musicals! I have fallen in love with every second of the process. It’s like operating a small business and it is as real as it could get. Eva Pillossof ’11 Bulgaria Mathematics
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The AUBG Olympics is the biggest sports event in the University. It is an event that consists of 14 sports disciplines. Everything ends with a barbecue and some live music with a DJ mixing it. It attracts most of the students at the University.
roaden Horizons
Stanislav Marinov ‘09 Bulgaria Business Administration
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Sports
I am a keen sportsperson. I love AUBG Olympics… This year I am heading for first place on one-hundred meter dash and long jump and I might also even try armwrestling… It’s a huge challenge and I love it that AUBG provides the facilities necessary for a healthy lifestyle. Polina Rousseva ’09 Bulgaria European Studies
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Challenge Yourself
The Erasmus exchange program at the University of Limerick gave me the opportunity to experience the culture of Ireland and to enjoy its breath-taking nature. I had the chance to explore the European educational system under the guidance of experienced and recognized faculty. At the same time, the semester I spent away helped me appreciate the advantages of the small AUBG community where I live, study and enjoy college life with my friends.
Student-run radio AURA is a place for creative students who want to express themselves within the university… It gives a lot of opportunities for people who want to have real radio and media experience, and also sales experience. Andrey Anastassov ’10 Bulgaria European Studies and Journalism and Mass Communication
Adelina Pavlova ’10 Bulgaria Business Administration and European Studies
the world
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roaden Horizons
I have been a Resident Assistant for three years and that is probably my favorite extracurricular activity. I get to welcome and interact with all the new students before the academic year starts, and I get to organize parties and wellness programs that affect a big part of the student body.
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Atanas Atanasov ’09 Bulgaria Business Administration
See
Your
Study abroad can be part of your multicultural experience through the EU mobility program or exchange agreements with universities in the U.S. You will have a choice of campuses, both near and far, such as in Japan, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and the U.S. AUBG is also host to about 25 U.S. students each year for their study abroad program. But if you want to have an authentic American experience, you can participate in the summer work and travel programs which enable many students to earn the full cost of the next year’s education, as well as to experience living and working in another part of the world.
The one year I spent at AUBG I am going to remember as a dream year in my life. Adnan Kan Exchange student from Selcuk University, Turkey, during 2008-2009
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Apply
Challenge Yourself
Your
Knowledge
Debate Tournament , April 2009
The AUBG Debate Club was founded by AUBG students to provide a forum for debating and presenting on challenging, and often unresolvable, issues. Debating acquaints students with a wide array of subjects and allows them to actively use that knowledge in the defense of an argument. Students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills and practice decision-making.
AUBG offers courses in a wide range of disciplines that challenge you to think critically, raise questions, consider different perspectives, and apply theory to practice. Through engagement with real problems, you will develop the skills valued by employers today, skills that are necessary to compete in an increasingly demanding global environment – effective communication, commitment to integrity, cross-cultural awareness, and the capacity for life-long learning. Students have a chance to discuss today’s pressing issues, such as global warming and conflict resolution, at events featuring diplomats, businessmen, journalists, and guest lecturers from all over the world.
What I learned in my computer science class helped me create an online voting system for the Student Government elections this year. It was the first time online voting was developed at AUBG; we also used it for More-Honors… I wanted to do something for the community. Ergys Ristani ’12 Albania Mathematics and Computer Science
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I went to an interview at an advertising agency and presented a plan that I had worked on for class. They were impressed with my plan and I was happy to find out just how relevant my education is. Paulina Tsolova ’10 Bulgaria Journalism and Mass Communication and Business Administration
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E
mbrace
Join Our Community
D
iversity
Bulgarian culture is very different from Kazakh culture, so living here is a very interesting experience. And at AUBG there are students from all over the world and studying at this University allows for this great exchange of culture and traditions. You can observe what other people are like first-hand. Daniyar Abenov ’09 Kazakhstan Business Administration
Student Profile AUBG helped me become more open to other points of view. I feel like a citizen of the world, completely free of bias, but very importantly, I have also learned to appreciate my own differences. I feel very proud of being a Belarusian now, I am really into my country’s culture and traditions. Thanks to AUBG’s diversity, I understand how important it is to differentiate yourself from the crowd and keep your identity.
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Raman Faminou ’11 Belarus Journalism and Mass Communication and Business Administration
Undergraduate students Visiting students Male-female ratio Average SAT score Average TOEFL iBT score Proportion Receiving AUBG Financial Aid Bulgarian Students International Students
1100 29 50/50 1181 100 70% 63% 37%
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Join Our Community
The professors make sure all students are treated equally. They give up their personal time and get to know their students out of class. Professors are always helpful when it comes to advising students about their choice of career path and life in general after AUBG.
Becoming an AUBG student is a great chance to meet other outstanding students who are committed to the pursuit of academic excellence. They are poets, artists, film makers, runners, community volunteers, travelers, and student leaders. You will work with faculty members from the U.S., Europe, and around the world, who have been trained at prestigious universities, such as Princeton, Columbia, and Brown. They know how to create an atmosphere that stimulates students to work together but also to become independent thinkers. What they have in common is a passion for learning: Faculty choose to teach at AUBG because they are committed to students and interested in broadening their own perspectives. You can expect to work hard and be encouraged to be your best.
Elena Ilieva ’11 Bulgaria Political Science and International Relations and Business Administration
Learn from the Best Student Awards and Competitions Leadership
• Goldman Sachs Global Leaders 2009: Zhikica Pagovski (Macedonia), Ejegul Nuriyeva (Turkmenistan), Vadzim Marasanau (Belarus) • Scripps-Howard Internship, summer 2009: Milica Trpevska (Macedonia) • U.S. Congressional internship 2008: Igor Letina (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Music
• AUBG Choir: Golden Diploma in the Big Choirs category at the 18th International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music with Petr Eben Prize in Prague, Czech Republic, Nov. 2008 • AUBG Choir: First Prize Laureate in the Mixed Choir category and Second Prize Laureate in the Popular Music & Jazz category at “Caecilia Choir Days” International Choir Competition in Limburg
Community Service
• A Most Worthy Bulgarian prize for Polina Rousseva (Bulgaria)
Computer Science It is very rewarding to teach AUBG students, as they are very good. You challenge them, and they want even more. It’s good feedback when they want more.
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Jeffrey Nilsen PhD in Economics, Princeton University
• First-year student Ergys Ristani (Albania): 12th place in the Robotics & Algorithms category at Microsoft’s Imagine Cup 2009 competition. Almost 60,000 university students from all over the world participated. • The Computer Science Student Union (CSSU) awarded Chapter status with Association for Computing and Machinery in Spring 2008 • Student Chapter Excellence Award 2007-2008 for CSSU
Research
Four AUBG students presented research papers at international conferences in the U.S.: Hekuran Neziri (Kosovo), Vaska Dimitrova (Macedonia), Anamaria Corca and Mircea Steriu (Romania)
At AUBG we try to foster research among the students so they can sharpen their creative skills. In Senior Thesis students work on a topic of their choice, and they research it in-depth under the supervision of a faculty member. Didar Erdinc PhD in Economics, University of Southern California
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Join Our Community Our graduates work at: BNP Paribas Citigroup CNN Coca Cola Credit Suisse General Electric Goldman Sachs Habitat for Humanity Hewlett Packard IBM ING International Monetary Fund JP Morgan Kraft Microsoft Merrill Lynch Motorola Nestle Procter & Gamble European Commission World Bank United Nations
AUBG alumni are widely recognized for making a difference in the region and in the world. The majority of our graduates start their career almost immediately after graduation in a variety of economic, social, and political spheres including media, banking, computers, telecommunications, human resources, accounting, advertising, market research, and the NGO sector. Employers tell us that AUBG alumni stand out with their professionalism, discipline, and expertise developed through a skills-oriented AUBG education. Each year approximately 35% of our graduates continue their studies in master’s and doctoral degree programs at top universities in Europe and the U.S.
Or continue their studies at:
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Immerse yourselves in the academic and extracurricular environment at AUBG, and don’t stop searching and embracing every single opportunity to learn something new and expand your skills and knowledge. The sky is the limit, but you have to be committed, focused and dedicated in order to take as much from the experience as you possibly can. Don’t be afraid to try new and unfamiliar things - you might be surprised to find out you like them and that might change your lives forever.
Princeton University University of Cambridge Harvard University London School of Economics The Johns Hopkins University Stanford University University of Oxford The Sorbonne Yale University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Central European University and many other institutions in the U.S., UK, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria and elsewhere
Boriana Treadwell ’95 Bulgaria Executive Producer at CNN International
The University is a stepping-stone to countless opportunities. I have seen fellow alumni jumping off to the best universities around the globe, to successful entrepreneurial ventures, as well as to top management positions at some of the most respected international companies that operate in Bulgaria.
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AUBG
Alumni Network
Stefan Ivanov ’95 Bulgaria Citibank Country Officer in Bulgaria
In addition to specific knowledge in Economics and Finance, AUBG was crucial in character building and in helping me hone specific analytical skills, curiosity and in expanding my horizons overall. Elvin Guri ’96 Albania Founder, JetFinance International AUBG Board of Trustees member
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Discover the Place
Connecting living and learning is an essential feature of the AUBG education. The majority of students live on campus in the Skaptopara complex, which features three residence halls, an academic building, a library, a sports field, and a wonderful tree-lined footpath running alongside the Bistritsa River. Through informal social interactions, as well as carefully designed activities, you will get to know students from many different backgrounds, learn to appreciate other cultures, and build personal relationships that will last a lifetime. Are you ready to connect?
I like it when my non-AUBG friends come here. I show off with the campus - I show them the gym, I take them to the cafeteria, I show them the TV lobbies, I show them the study lounges, I show them my room and they are amazed. Paulina Tsolova ’10 Bulgaria Journalism and Mass Communication and Business Administration
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Have a
Blagoevgrad is the coolest place in Southwest Bulgaria, and its clubs and cafes are the most stylish in the whole country, according to The Rough Guide to Bulgaria. With easy access to movies, theaters, and parks, students can balance a challenging academic experience with recreation and social activities.
Home Away
AUBG makes you feel at home. It’s a home away from home. Narantuguldur Saijrakh ’09 Mongolia Business Administration Economics minor
from
Home
At
AUBG you will find:
Services
Career Center Health Center Counseling Center Advising Center International Student Services
A High-Tech Campus
Computer labs Multimedia labs High-speed Internet Wireless Classrooms equipped as complete multimedia environments
Panitza Library
Largest English-language library in Southeast Europe 100,000 books 18,000 electronic journals Access to top electronic databases
Facilities
Canteen, cafes, and pizza parlor Gyms Aerobics Room Game Rooms Music Practice Rooms TV lounges Study and social lounges
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Invest in Your Future
AUBG is committed to making it possible for every qualified student to attend AUBG. The University gives a significant amount of financial aid each year. You can compete for a number of scholarships that AUBG offers. You can take a student loan, or earn your tuition at a job on campus or through a summer work and travel program.
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onsider
theOptions
Financial Aid
Financial aid is based on both academic achievement and financial need, but the most important consideration is academic merit as reflected in the SAT scores.
Scholarships
There are many scholarship opportunities for entering and current students, ranging from a few hundred dollars to full tuition. A unique scholarship will even support your graduate studies.
Work-study My parents are helping me pay my tuition because they really believe in higher education at the American University in Bulgaria and they think that it is a very good investment for their kid to be here. Adelina Pavlova ’10 Bulgaria Economics and Business Administration
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Costs for the 2009-10 Academic Year Tuition: $ 8,300 Room: $ 1,000 Student Activity Fee: $ 220 Total: $ 9,520
On-campus jobs are a great way to help pay your tuition and gain practical experience. Positions are available in a wide variety of areas including computing, research support, tutoring, and photography.
Student Loans
For students who prefer not to work while studying, a student loan is often the best option. AUBG has student loan agreements with Unicredit Bulbank and SG Expressbank.
Scholarship for Graduate Study The Tchaprachikoff scholarship fund allows Bulgarian AUBG students to pursue graduate degrees at prestigious U.S. universities. The fund was created through the estate of Anna Tchaprachikoff, a patriotic Bulgarian who was a firm believer that education is the best investment in the future, and that the best way to help Bulgaria is to provide its youth with first-class education. In 2009, AUBG granted Tchaprachikoff scholarships to three students: Stefan Tsvetkov, who will start his studies at Columbia University; Mila Todorova, who will attend Cornell University; and Lyuba Stevasarova, who will pursue her graduate studies at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. You can be one of those students!
Work and Travel
You will find that after your first year at AUBG you are able to earn the cost of attending during summer work and travel jobs in the United States or Europe.
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Invest in Your Future
I decided to go to Bulgaria because AUBG provides a high-quality U.S. education. The cost of living in Bulgaria is lower and AUBG helps students through financial aid and scholarships. Students also have an opportunity to go to a summer work and travel program. Vadzim Marasanau ’11 Belarus Economics and Business Administration
The named scholarship I received from AUBG helped me and my family enormously. I could substitute the work and travel program for an internship in Sofia and had additional funds for an exchange program in the U.S. AUBG provides its students with countless opportunities to develop their potential, such as access to scholarships, exchange programs, and an excellent set of skills for life. Gergana Zapryanova ’09 Bulgaria Business Administration Economics and Information Systems minor
Students are admitted to the American University in Bulgaria solely on the basis of merit. Merit is judged by previous academic performance, test scores, evidence of leadership potential, participation in extracurricular activities, recommendations, motivation, awards from competitions, and special talents.
A
dmission
Plan in Advance
• Contact an admissions counselor • Prepare for the required tests • Take the tests no later than January for Fall semester applications and June for Spring semester applications • Submit your application: For Fall semester by: - March 1 for early admission and favorable financial aid - May 1 for non-EU students and financial aid - June 1 for EU applicants and financial aid For Spring semester by: - October 1 for non-EU students and financial aid - November 1 for EU students and financial aid
I have partial financial aid and a partial scholarship at AUBG. In the summers I go to the United States, I have some fun, I gain experience, I make new friends, and I make more money…
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Martin Ilievski ’11 Macedonia Journalism and Mass Communication and Business Administration
Process
Application Checklist Online application form for free (or $25 for paper-based) Official SAT Reasoning or ACT test scores sent directly to AUBG by College Board (AUBG Code – 2451). If you are a gold or silver medalist or a valedictorian, you will be exempt from the SAT and ACT exams. Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge ESOL Examinations score sent directly to AUBG (AUBG Code– 2451) Official high school transcript and diploma 3 letters of recommendation Motivation essay
www.aubg.bg
Mail your application to:
OR
Admissions Office in Blagoevgrad American University in Bulgaria 1 Georgi Izmirliev Sq. Blagoevgrad 2700, Bulgaria
Admissions Office in Sofia AUBG Elieff Center for Education and Culture 1 Universitetski Park St., Studentski Grad Sofia 1700, Bulgaria Phone: (+359 2) 960 7940 Fax: (+359 2) 960 7949
e-mail: admissions@aubg.bg
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Visit us
Wondering what it feels like to be part of AUBG? Why just imagine? Come see for yourself. With just a quick call to the Admissions Office you can plan a visit or come to an Open House. You will be able to meet faculty and students, attend class, and get to know Blagoevgrad.
New Academic Building 54 Alexander Stamboliyski St. Skaptopara Campus Blagoevgrad 2700, Bulgaria Phone: (+359 73) 888 234; 888 235 Fax: (+359 73) 883 227
www.aubg.bg
The American University in Bulgaria is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity in all of its endeavors and affirms a commitment to diversity in both its employees and its student body.
www.aubg.bg