SWU and AUBG

Blagoevgrad is home to the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) and South-West University “Neofit Rilski” (SWU).

Although both universities are in Blagoevgrad, how do they compare?

The first difference is that AUBG follows the more flexible model of the educational system - liberal arts that allows students to pick their major while they are studying at the university. Contrarily, SWU follows the structured European higher education model, where students choose a specific field of study from the start and follow a predetermined curriculum.

One lecture at AUBG lasts 75 or 80 minutes, depending on whether it is the Fall or Spring semester.

“Our lectures are with a duration between 40 to 45 minutes,” shared Alexandra Slavova, a first-year student at SWU majoring in Pedagogy of Musical Art. “Sometimes we have block lectures, and we either combine them or we have a break between them.”

Almost every lecture at AUBG is accompanied by a presentation or other forms of visual communication.

When asked about how professors at SWU deliver course material, Nikol Kaloyanova, a third year student majoring in psychology shared, “Teaching usually happens through recitation, but not in the sense of memorized text. Professors have a structured lesson plan and may sometimes just recall where they left off or what they need to say next.”

For the students at AUBG, Outlook, and Canvas serve as the connection to professors and course materials.

Regarding that topic, Alexandra said: “We use the online platform Blackboard.” She mentioned that “some professors use this platform to post lectures, presentations, or other additional materials.”

She also explained that other ways to connect with professors are through personal emails, phone numbers, or Facebook accounts if the professor provided this information.

Nikol added, “Professors have designated consultation hours during which students can reach out to them if needed.”

Classes at AUBG usually consist of around 25 students. That is not the case at SWU. Alexandra explained that depending on the academic department, the number of students in one class ranges from 10/15 people to 150.

Exams are an important part of every educational institution. They serve to test students’ knowledge. As Alexandra said, “At SWU it’s common to go to exam sessions that take place after the semester, however, some professors excuse you from those exams and some don’t.”

She later added there are other exams throughout the semester called “current control.”

Meanwhile, at AUBG, there are quizzes that are similar to the current control exams. The midterm exams make AUBG different from SWU. There is a special week devoted to exams at AUBG, called “finals week.” Unlike finals week, the exam sessions at SWU are longer – usually lasting around one month.

People make a certain place feel special. For Alexandra, the community of SWU is very diverse and dynamic.

Clubs are another important part of university life in AUBG. With more than 30, they give students the opportunity to explore many fields, develop different skills, and meet new peers.

Regarding the topic, Nikol explained, “Starting this year, there is officially a psychology club for our department. I know that other majors also have some type of club.”

Alexandra added that the extracurricular activities provided at the university allow students to expand their knowledge and capabilities.

 “The wide range of majors and academic departments also contributes to the variety of students.”

“I am proud to say that SWU is the only university in Bulgaria that offers every major from the art sphere in one,” she stated.

At AUBG, people associate the word “diversity” with cultural vibrancy. People from over 40 countries study at the university.

In terms of international students, Alexandra said “In South-West University there are foreigners, however, they are not that many.”

“Most commonly they are from Ukraine, North Macedonia, and PhD students from the People’s Republic of China.”

At SWU there are not only Bachelor’s degree programs, but also PhD and Master’s programs.

She said that because of the many majors and academic departments, there are different campuses of the university throughout Blagoevgrad.

“For some people, the dorms might not be so close to their campus, but they are two minutes away from the first campus,” explained Alexandra.

AUBG students face a similar situation. The Skaptopara Residence Halls are located next to Balkanski Academic Center, and 15 minutes away from AUBG’s Main Building.

Alexandra lives in a dorm room for three, but she mentioned that because of the ongoing renovation of the first dorm building, there are also rooms housing four students.

Regarding the dorms, Nikol said, “The dorms are neither the worst nor the best. It really depends on the room.” She added, “However, you can definitely collect some fun dormitory stories that will become cherished memories in the future.”

In Skaptopara, there are two options available - single rooms for one person only or a double room for two people. In Skaptopara I and II, most of the double rooms are placed together two by two in an “apartment”, where students share a bathroom and a hall.

“One of the biggest advantages of the dorms is the closeness to the Student Council.” Alexandra explained that the Student Council is a group of students who have voluntarily gathered and whose job is to provide support to other students.

Additionally, their duties include making sure that the rules in the dorms are followed.

The AUBG equivalent to the Student Council is the Resident Assistants (RA’s), who make sure rules at the dormitories are followed.

Because of their duty, RAs get the opportunity to live in the Skaptopara Resident Halls without paying the per semester fee for housing. That fee ranges from $900 to $1500 depending on the Skaptopara.

Regarding the housing fee at SWU, Alexandra said “I have to pay 45BGN per month, for my dorm.”

At AUBG dorms, you have to pay 6BGN to use the laundry machine and 3BGN for the dryer. However, you can use the kitchen without being taxed.

“The laundry rooms are free. We also have rooms that offer cooking facilities, but I think you have to pay for them,” Alexandra explained about additional dorm facilities.

Events are another significant part of university life. There, students are able to meet, get to know each other, and discuss topics of their interests.

AUBG offers a large variety of events to its students. Usually, they are organized by either the university itself, clubs, or third parties.

Regarding events, Nikol said, “There are various tournaments, concerts, and performances organized by students and professors. Anyone can attend as long as they are interested.”

Even though both universities are in the same city, there are a lot of differences and similarities that connect them more than expected.

 

Edited by Niya Manditsch and Toma Krumov