Senior Blitz vol. 4
Here comes another group of fourth-year students graduating in Spring 2017:
Olga Țurcan, Dimitar Bratovanov for AUBG Daily
Olga Țurcan is a student from Moldova majoring in Business Administration and following a Self-Designed major in Political Anthropology. She has been part of PTPI “Better Community Club” at AUBG, BFDC Samodiva, Phi Beta Delta, and is a Resident Assistant at Skaptopara I. During her last semester at AUBG, she was a tutor in Bulgarian. Țurcan took a semester off in order to volunteer in one of the refugees’ camps in Sofia, Bulgaria. There she taught Bulgarian for adults, Mathematics, Science, and English for children. She received the Community Volunteer Service Award and honors as an outstanding Resident Assistant during the Honors Convocation 2017.
Tell us about your best and your worst memory of AUBG.
The best ones are my first day at ELI (I was an ELI before I got accepted), the performances with Samodiva, the first diversity training we organized after I was accepted as a Resident Assistant, and the fact that we were the first to meet the freshman on campus.
The worst one if probably saying goodbye to my friends, who were graduating before me.
What were you before? What are you now?
I think I was very immature, childish, and naïve girl when I got into AUBG. Now I feel more self-aware, more self-confident, and braver.
If you were 18 years old, what would you do/what would you change?
Nothing because I think it is like a normal cycle. When you are 18 you just get here as a person who has just graduated. AUBG has changed me a lot and I would not change a thing about it. I was who I was and my four years at AUBG brought me to what I am today.
What word defines you best?
Dreamer.
What is the meaning of life to you?
Meaning of life is simply to be happy. Do your best to become an expert in whatever field your passions and interests are.
You are awesome because…
The awesome AUBG community and the awesome friends I made during my AUBG experience.
How do you imagine life after AUBG?
Exciting, adventurous, full of challenges. I think I am ready for this new chapter in life. As I said, I am more mature, more self-confident now and I am ready for the challenge.
Archil Gugberidze, Dimitar Bratovanov for AUBG Daily
Meet Archil Gugberidze, from Georgia. He is majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Economics. Gugberidze has been a member of the Broadway Performance Club and AIESEC. During his years at AUBG he has performed in six different plays and was given the Al Cyrus Theatre Award during the Honors Convocation 2017.
Tell us about your best and your worst memory of AUBG.
My worst memory is my first summer in the States. My best memory is my second summer in the States.
What were you before? What are you now?
Before, I was an undergraduate. Now, I am hopefully graduating. I know more people, I am more open and friendly.
If you were 18 years old, what would you do/what would you change?
I would definitely do more plays, read more plays, and watch more movies. I think that what happens, happens for a reason, so not much [to change].
What word defines you best?
Hardworking. For me hardworking is better than being talented or being creative. Hard work includes everything and makes you more self-developed.
What is the meaning of life to you?
The meaning of life is to inspire other people and to actually believe in something. It can be a power, or God, or whatever you want it to be.
You are awesome because…
I am awesome because I am crazy. It’s a risky thing but [you need to] do what you want to do!
How do you imagine life after AUBG?
I am doing Work and Travel one more time – the last time I hope. Then I am going to an acting academy and there I think I would meet new people, who are amazing and they love to do what they do. We are gonna have a lot of things in common. It is gonna be a new experience, so I am actually happy to go to that place.
Rozafe Maliqi, Dimitar Bratovanov for AUBG Daily
Rozafe Maliqi is a student from Kosovo majoring in Business Administration. Throughout her time at AUBG, she has participated in five plays, one of which she co-directed. Moreover, Maliqi is a current member of the More Honors Academy and its former president. She received the Al Cyrus Theatre Award during the Honors Convocation 2017.
Tell us about your best and your worst memory of AUBG.
I guess the best one would be this year’s More Honors. It managed to set an example of how students can collaborate, to make an impact in the well-being of the community. It was special for me. The people that were in the Academy this year and what they did was great.
Worst memory… fire alarms making me get out of bed.
What were you before? What are you now?
Before AUBG, I was a borderline alcoholic – a dreamer, who skipped classes because she was hungover. Now I am a sober dreamer, who skips classes because she sleeps a lot.
If you were 18 years old, what would you do/what would you change?
I would tell myself to get more involved in communities wherever you are. Just volunteer and do more things for people.
What word defines you best?
Earthling.
What is the meaning of life to you?
When I think about this, I think of the ancient symbol the ouroboros – the snake eating itself. The meaning that I draw out of it is to live or appreciate whatever is finite but be rooted in the infinite.
You are awesome because…
Because I always find my student card, when I lose it.
How do you imagine life after AUBG?
I am gonna have to open doors with keys instead of cards but I guess that my AUBG diploma will be opening doors for me.
