Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s membership in the European Union is an opportunity to celebrate its heritage and define its future. At the crossroads of East and West, Bulgaria has one of the richest cultural histories in Europe. Situated in Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria has close interactions with Western Europe as well as its many neighbors--bordered on the north by Romania, to the west by Serbia and Macedonia, to the south by Greece and Turkey, and to the east by the Black Sea, linking Bulgaria to Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. You can witness first-hand a changing world.

Blagoevgrad
Blagoevgrad is the perfect place to live and study.
The Rough Guide to Bulgaria calls Blagoevgrad “the coolest place in southwest Bulgaria.” Located in the heart of Europe, 20,000 of its 80,000 residents are students. The Rough Guide goes on to describe “the lovingly restored old quarter,” and notes that Blagoevgrad’s clubs and cafes are the "most stylish" in all of Bulgaria. The region abounds in natural beauty and tourist attractions such as the Rila Monastery, the spa town of Sandanski, and the Seven Lakes in the Rila Mountain. World-class ski resorts are nearby in the magnificent Pirin Mountains. Istanbul is easily accessible by car or bus, and Greece is a two-hour drive. Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, is an hour away. Its international airport is your link to exciting cities all over Europe.

A University Town
Visitors to Blagoevgrad often call it a student-friendly city. 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. As a closely-knit community, professors have an open-door policy and staff is always helpful.