Vishal Pahel – Guest Scene Reporter

Vishal Pahel is an Arts & Sciences sophomore currently studying abroad in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria at the American University in Bulgaria.

Sound bar (12am), Julianny (1am), Grafitti (2am), Underground (3am ’til the sun comes up) – suggested map for any AUBG student out during the night. Don’t get me wrong though, this is a study hard place, too. I’d like to dedicate this article to Creighton students planning on studying abroad and to propose Bulgaria as one of the options.

Studying at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) in the small town of Blagoevgrad has given me the chance to explore a new culture, meet people from the Balkans, former Soviet Union nations, try the delicacies of Bulgaria, and take part in some university traditions unique to AUBG.

Every year, the Honors Convocation, in which students are awarded for their academic achievements, is followed by a hugely popular mock awards show called More Honors. More Honors presents awards like “Public Enemy”, “Alcohol Friendly” and “Casanova of the year” with short videos aimed at mocking the University.

Each semester, the University puts on a musical as well. The musical this semester was Hairspray. The group did a great job and even travelled to other parts of Bulgaria to perform. I have the privilege of being in my first ever theatrical play with my Beginning Acting class. I play the role of a young man from a play by Arthur Schnitzler called “Arms Around.”

Values of service that I inherited at Creighton are strong within me. I have been visiting a local orphanage with the Better Community Club here. I find it to be the best place to learn Bulgarian as the kids are very talkative and friendly.

To keep up with all the happenings, the students need a lot of energy and it comes with a popular fast food delicacy called the Duner. The most visited Duner joint here is “Kebab 13.” Duner is pita bread filled with slow roasted chicken or pork bits along with salad and fries, topped with white sauce, ketchup, and spices. Other Bulgarian must try’s are Rakia (fruit brandy) and Banitsa (pastry with white cheese filling).

Bulgaria gained freedom from the Ottoman Empire in 1908 and had been under the Communist regime after the Second World War until 1989. Today, we can see the remnants of the communist regime in the architecture of our main school building – massive and ugly. As we enter the main building, students have to go through controlled turnstile entrances leading up to the stairs which are lined with flags representing nations where the students come from. Bulgaria is a peaceful country in the Balkan region where former Yugoslavia states still hold high tensions with the Kosovo issue being a hot topic.

Lastly, the travel opportunities are great here with Istanbul to the east and Greece an hour south. Good luck on finals and hope you have a good summer with a few cold ones. In Bulgaria, we say Наздраве!