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Study in Bulgaria - International Management
Program Information | Location Information | Courses Available | Eligibility | Costs | Deadlines & Dates | Orientation | Housing | What's Next? | Photos | Helpful Links
| PROGRAM TERMS | May Term |
| CLASS STANDING | Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate* |
| DEADLINE TO APPLY |
May 2008: February 23, 2008 |
| FEES | $3,017* [2007-2008] |
| FINANCIAL AID | Yes |
| GPA | 2.4 |
| LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION |
English |
Program Information
You will have an enriching opportunity to learn the concepts of International Management in the context of the expanding European Union (EU) environment.
You will explore Bulgaria’s emerging economy and the differences in culture, history, and resources in the context of managing global businesses and workforces.
You will be involved in a number of activities including simulating the EU Parliament and discussing the implications of diversity of opinions within the EU on managerial roles.
You will learn from experts on and from the EU specializing in Eastern Europe and meet with local entrepreneurs and managers. The course is taught in English and the English language is widely spoken in Bulgaria.
The course will focus on European management styles and you will gain a personally and academically rewarding experience while fulfilling major/minor requirements.
Mgts 4474, International Management, fulfils the following requirements at UMD:
- Upper division international requirement for BBA & BAc Majors
- Group A for Organizational Management majors
- Group B for Human Resources majors
- Group C for Finance majors
- Upper division coursework in Foreign Studies Minor
- MBA Program 3-credit elective
Professor Goel is the expert on Europe and EU issues at the University of Minnesota Duluth Labovitz School of Business and Economics, with research and extended stay in many European countries. He has been a keynote speaker for EU's PAXIS (The Pilot Action of Excellence on Innovative Start-ups) projects. He has been invited for lectures and research in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain and Switzerland. He also serves as a board member of the European Academy of Management as the National Representative from USA.
Download the brochure for the Bulgaria program. |
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Location Information
Bulgaria is a country of ancient culture, centuries old history, scenic beauty, friendly people, hospitality and warmth. Located in Southeastern Europe, it occupies the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, north of Greece and Turkey.
Bulgaria's natural landscape is full of surprises - it has endless, sandy beaches along the Black Sea, wild mountain ranges and lush green hills, fertile plains, magnificent gorges, rivers, an abundance of curative mineral springs. It is famous for long balmy summers, scented rose fields and richly colored orchards.
Bulgaria’s population is slightly under 8,000,000. The country lies on a busy crossroad of eastern and western cultures which makes it a unique tourist destination and a personally enriching place to explore the concepts of this International Management course.
The course site is located in one the most important economic and cultural centers in Southwest Bulgaria. The city of Blagoevgrad and the region offer the foreign visitor many possibilities for inexpensive excursions, shopping, sightseeing, entertainment, nightlife, and delightful places to eat.
Blagoevgrad is home to one of the most prestigious universities in Bulgaria--The American University in Bulgaria (AUBG). Students will use AUBG's classrooms, library and computer labs as well as their newly built housing facilities including a fitness center and study lounges.
Bulgaria ranks third only after Greece and Italy for the number of its archaeological monuments. The capital of an ancient civilization, called the "The Mountain people" was recently discovered in Bulgaria. Also this year, Bulgarian archeologists have unearthed more than 15,000 golden pieces of Thracian royal jewelry dating back to the third millennium BC.
Students will be able to participate in an organized excursion to Greece which is only 80 miles from the course site.
Bulgaria has given the world men of great achievement, unparalleled in history. In the 9th century, the Bulgarian brothers Cyril and Methodius, created the Cyrillic alphabet which has been adapted to write over 50 different languages, mainly in Russia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
The inventor of the first electronic computer, John Vincent Atanassoff, was of Bulgarian origin.
The famous Bulgarian rose oil, produced in the region of Kazanlak, is a component of many world-famous perfumes.
Courses Available
Students will complete the International Management course with designator MGTS 4474 / FST 4155. It is a 3-credit course that fulfills:
- Upper division international requirement for BBA & BAc Majors
- Group A for Organizational Management majors
- Group B for Human Resources majors
- Group C for Finance majors
- Upper division coursework in Foreign Studies Minor
- MBA Program 3-credit elective
Eligibility
Participants MUST have a passport, valid for at least 6 months after their return to the U.S. The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate business students who before departure have completed lower division business courses, particularly MGTS 3401 - Organizational Behavior and Management. Students also should be in good academic standing.
Costs
The program package is approximately $3,017 for May Term 2008, which may vary slightly due to fluctuating currency exchange. Two non-refundable deposits will be due upon acceptance to the program. The remainder of the program fee will be billed through Student Accounts Receivable in July/August.
The program package includes:
- Tuition for 3-credit course
- Most meals and all housing facilities including a fitness center
- Roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis to Bulgaria
- International Health Insurance
- Phone card for Bulgaria
- Transportation to the American University in Bulgaria
- Hotel, meal and tour of Bulgaria’s capital—Sofia
- Tour of the city of Blagoevgrad
- Museum passes in Bulgaria
- Field trips to some of the most famous cultural, historic and business centers in Bulgaria including United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) historic site—Rila Monastery, the picturesque Rose Valley (home of Bulgaria's rose & lavender oil production), Plovdiv (Bulgaria's second largest city), the Rhodopi Mountains (home of the most famous Thracian heroes—Spartacus and Orpheus) and others
- Bulgarian Phrasebook and Dictionary
- Orientation prior to and after your arrival
- On-Site facilitator, interpreter and Program Coordinator: Maria Vuldjeva
- 3-day excursion to Greece (available for a small additional cost based on enrollment) (students will have the opportunity to visit one of the most spectacular sights in the country: the Rock Monasteries of Meteora) and will stay on the coast of the Agean Sea.
Items not included are the cost of obtaining a passport, some meals and personal spending money. It is recommended that all participants bring additional money for personal and miscellaneous expenses.
Fluctuating currency exchange rates may increase or decrease the cost of your international experience. Financial aid may be applied toward the cost of the program if you are enrolled as a full-time student (6 credits is full-time for May/Summer). There are several study abroad scholarships for University of Minnesota students.
Deadlines & Dates
The registration deadline is February 23, 2008. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited and the class will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tentative program dates are May 20 to June 10, 2008.
Orientation
At least one pre-departure orientation will be held. Pre-departure orientation will include information about financial aid information, international insurance, classwork, travel tips and a general study abroad handbook.
Housing
Housing facilities for students are arranged by the program.
What's Next?
Before applying, it is a good idea to follow the steps under steps to studying abroad. The IEO website also provides information on financing, health & safety and other important information to consider when choosing to study abroad. When ready to apply, the UMD study abroad application may be downloaded from the IEO website. Please complete the application with required accompanying materials and return it to IEO.
Contact Professor Goel for program questions. For application/registration and location questions, contact Maria Vuldjeva at (218) 726-6673 or email: mvuldjev@d.umn.edu
