 |
"Learning from Each Other: Assessment and Collaborative Learning" Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
|
|
|
Conference LocationThe
5 AMICAL conference will take place at the American University in
Bulgaria, in the town of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Blagoevgrad is the
cultural and economic center of Southwestern Bulgaria. Located in the
valley of the Struma river, it is 100 km to the south of Sofia and close
to the Greek, Serbian and the Republic of Macedonia borders. Blagoevgrad
is home to two universities, the South-West University “Neofit Rilski”
and the American University in Bulgaria. It has a lot to offer to its
guests-
an opera house, theater and cinema halls, a historical museum, art
galleries, and numerous cozy cafes and eat-out places. Recreational
facilities such as tennis courts, a baseball field, fitness halls for men
and women, swimming pools and a jogging path along the Bistritza river are
available for sports and leisure times. Conference VenueThe conference sessions will take place at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) Founded in 1991, the University is a highly
selective, residential liberal arts educational institution, awarding
baccalaureate degree. It has both Bulgarian and USA accreditation. The
sessions will be held in the Main administrative and classroom building of
the University, situated in the city center. All
AMICAL conference participants will be accommodated in hotel
“Ezeretz” in Blagoevgrad The hotel is 5 km away from
the Main Building of the American University in Bulgaria, where the
conference sessions will be held. Transportation will be provided to and
from the hotel according to a schedule, which will be included in the
conference information package. Hotel
Ezeretz has 46 rooms and 4 apartments, which are reserved for the AMICAL
conference attendees at the special price of 27 euro per room per night,
and 57 euro per apartment per night. The accommodation package includes
breakfast and use of the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, fitness hall,
sauna, and wireless Internet. A
grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will cover the accommodation
cost of two representatives from AMICAL member institutions for the 5
nights from May 24 to May 28. All extra nights for accommodation outside
of these dates should be paid by the conference participants, directly to
the hotel. Additional
participants from AMICAL member institutions and participants from non
AMICAL member institutions should pay for their accommodation directly to
the hotel. The hotel accepts Mastercard and Visa credit cards. Cash
machines are available in the hotel lobby as well. Optional Post-conference TripsWant
to learn more about Bulgaria’s history and cultural heritage? Sign up
for one of the post-conference trips, specially designed for the 5 AMICAL
Conference participants. Day Trip to SofiaSofia,
Bulgaria’s capital is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It’s history
can be traced back some 7000 years ago. Remnants of Sofia’s millenary
history can be seen today alongside with modern landmarks. Tour of
downtown Sofia, visit to the National Museum of History which stores a
collection of 650 000 objects connected to archaelogy, fine arts, history
and ethnography, and the 11 century Boyana church are the attractions
included in the day trip. Price
per person: 86 euro for double
occupancy room
98 euro for single room The
price includes bus transportation, English speaking tour guide, entrance
fees to museums, lunch and one night accommodation in a 4* hotel in Sofia. Two Day Trip to Plovdiv and SofiaDay 1
Plovdiv
is the second largest city in Bulgaria, famous for its ancient and diverse
culture and history, dating back to Thracian settlements and the Roman
Empire. A tour of Plovdiv including the old city, the 2nd century Roman
Amphitheatre and Roman Stadium, houses with architecture from the
Bulgarian National Revival period, and visit to the 11th century Bachkovo
Monastery (30 km away from Plovdiv). Overnight in Plovdiv. Day 2
Travel
from Plovdiv to Sofia. Tour of downtown Sofia, visit to the National
Museum of History and the Boyana church. Overnight in Sofia. Price
per person: 173 euro for double
occupancy room
194 euro for single room The
price includes bus transportation, English speaking tour guide, two
lunches, entrance fees to museums and churches, two nights accommodation
in 4* hotels in Plovdiv and Sofia. The
trips will be confirmed at min. 10 participants per trip. Payment is due
to Gloria Tours on the day of the trip.
Airport
transfers Please
be informed that the organizers from the American University in Bulgaria
are meeting everyone arriving at Sofia airport. Group transfers are
orgnized by bus, while individual arrivals will be handled by a taxi
company. Please watch for people carrying signes AMICAL Conference, or
your names. Join the person with the sign and he/she will take you to the
vehicle waiting for you. Airport
transfers are free of charge
for everyone coming to the 5th Annual AMICAL Conference. Weather The
weather in Bulgaria is sunny, with temperatures between 20-25 degrees by
Celsius. The weather forecast for the conference days is for sunny
weather, with some rains in the afternoons. Rila
Monastery Trip Please
be advised that the Rila Monastery is in the mountains and therefore,
warmer clothes are recommended for this excursion. Post
Conference Trips Those
who have signed for the post conference trips will pay directly to the
tourist company—Gloria Tours, in
cash, on the day of the trip. The price of the 2-day trip to Plovdiv
and Sofia has been increased with 20 euro, and everyone on the list for
this trip has been informed in advance. Currency
and Exchange The
currency in Bulgaria is Bulgarian Lev, which comes in banknotes of 2, 5,
10, 20, 50 and 100. One lev has 100 stotinki (coins). ATM machines for
cash are available in front of the banks, and many other buildings in
Blagoevgrad. Most of the ATMs have a language key that enable to read the
instructions in English. Emergency In case of emergency – flight delay, problems at the airport, missed flight, etc. – please call Mrs. Nadia Afendova. Her
mobile phone is: 00359-889-629273—from
outside Bulgaria 0889-629273
from Bulgaria We
look forward to meeting you all in Blagoevgrad and the American University
in Bulgaria! AUBG
Organizing Committee
See also the link: Fifth AMICAL Conference May 25-28, 2008
Map
of Bulgaria Map
of Blagoevgrad
American University in Bulgaria Library
|
