Academic Programs Abroad

Bulgaria-̶̶̶ ISEP

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Location

One of the newest European Union members, Bulgaria sits at an ancient crossroad between East and West. Stroll through the quaint plazas of the Blagoevgrad city center or taste the local cuisine while relaxing at a sidewalk cafe. Majestic mountain ranges with picturesque lakes offer ample outdoor activities. Nearby archaeological sites include Roman ruins, early Christian basilicas, medieval Byzantine towns, monasteries and fortresses.

Blagoevgrad

· American University in Bulgaria

Host Program Website

For general information: ISEP-Bulgaria

Country specific information: Handbook

PROGRAM DETAILS

Academic Calendar

Approximate dates are as follow:

Fall Semester: Late August/ Early September - Mid-December

Spring Semester: Mid-January - Mid-May

For specific date information please visit the ISEP website or come into the ISU Academic Programs Abroad Office in Stalker 215.

Accommodations

American University in Bulgaria

Students live in shared rooms in on-campus residence halls and receive a stipend to purchase meals at the campus cafeterias.

ADMISSION & PREPERATION

Eligibility Requirements

The program is open to undergraduate students in good standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Deadlines

For priority consideration, applications for Fall should be received before February 1, Spring before September 1, and Summer before May 1. Rolling admissions are considered for ISEP-Direct.

Financial Information

All students’ financial aid can be used for study abroad. Direct costs (tuition, room and board), airfare, local transportation, and personal spending money are all included to calculate you aid package. Once your need is determined you may become eligible for additional federal grants or loans to help cover study abroad costs.

There are also scholarships available for studying abroad. For more information regarding the application materials please visit the links below.

ISU Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarship

Scholarship Application

Application Deadlines: Spring - October 28; Summer or Fall - March 30

Application Process

Early application is advised. Selection for the program is based on a review of the student's written application, transcripts, recommendations and completion of the ISU consultation process.

Complete the ISEP online application, which includes the following:

· Official University Transcript
· Academic References: Two for semester and one for summer
· Academic References Personal Statement (Essay 300-500 words)

Click here to get started:

How to Apply

ISEP – Exchange and Direct

To apply for an ISEP Exchange Program a fee of $360 is required at the time of application. This fee is non-refundable unless ISEP is unable to place the applicant, in which case $50 of this fee is retained.

To apply for an ISEP Direct Program (semester and/or summer) a non-refundable application fee of $60 is due at the time of application. In addition to the fee, a $500 program deposit is also due at the time of application.

Visa Information

Students need a passport which will be valid for at least six months beyond the last day of studies.

All students should apply for or renew (if necessary) their U.S. (or other) passports as soon as possible. Passport Information

It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding Visa requirements. Click Here to find out what is required for study abroad!

Orientations

All study abroad participants must fulfill the required study abroad orientation process.

The orientations will cover administrative logistics, travel, health, safety, conduct, housing and cultural adjustment and whenever possible involve discussions with past participants. More information regarding the orientation process will be emailed to students.