AUBG DAILY Fall 2024 OWL THE NEWS Vol. 6, Issue 1 Offi cial Title Sponsor
Dear reader, AUBG Daily is excited and proud to present you with the Fall 2024 issue of our newspaper! The team of AUBG Daily is beyond excited to bring to you the Fall 2024 issue of our newspaper! Needless to emphasize, you will have an amazing experience fl icking through the pages and diving into the intricacies of the AUBG community and AUBG life. Our team has worked hard to put together the best selection of articles. The newspaper gives a peek into the world of AUBG Daily and what we are striving to communicate and accomplish. We are proud to have a nice variety of work on our website www.aubgdaily.com, where you can explore AUBG Daily in more depth. Enjoy your read! Cultural Diversity at AUBG or a Simple Marketing Strategy? Is AUBG Spotted the Gossip Girl of AUBG? Sustainability in Motion Yoana Lyubenova Stoyana Franzen Is There a Lack of Student Engagement at AUBG? What Makes Alumni Professors Diff erent? Bilyana Spasova A Guide to Understanding the Bulgarian University Ranking System We Should Talk About This Eka Iakobadze ....................... Vasil Paskov Crossword/ Christmas Vox Pop Clubs’ Horoscope Dare to Share Stories Message from Commetric AUBG Daily’s Gallery Letter from the Editor 2 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily ..................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................... ............................................................ David Mitov ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................ ....................................... Bilyana Spasova .................................................................. 3 4 6 14 10 7 8 12 15 16 17 18 20 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cultural Diversity at AUBG or a Simple Marketing Strategy? Nov. 17, 2024 N 7 17 2024 7% — that is the percentage of Bulgarian students in AUBG’s current largest student cohort. The remaining 23% are all international students. Members of the AUBG community are concerned that what was previously considered a “diverse atmosphere” has now become only a facade of AUBG’s marketing. While fi rst-year students were excited to meet diff erent cultures on campus, most of them labeled AUBG as a “Balkan University” or even a “Bulgarian University.” The Bulgarian community has increased exponentially in recent years, which leads to the question: What is AUBG doing to balance the numbers?” “Of course, the strategy for growth is very important. We aim to shift the student mix to 45% international students and 55% Bulgarian students,” Kostadin Shopov, Director of Admissions, said. Shopov also mentioned that COVID has aff ected studying abroad worldwide, and UBG is still “recovering” from that eriod. He also pointed out Bulgaria’s putation as not prestigious enough for udying purposes. here have been improvements in cruiting international students. For e Fall Semester of 2024, 16 Georgian udents were accepted, which is twice as any as the year before (2023). This rise n fi gures, however, is accompanied by e acceptance of more students in genal, which means the Georgian student ody has increased by only 2%. The same oes for Albanian students with a raise of e e 1%. What should we expect in the future? According to the 5-year plan of AUBG for 2028, the student body should increase by 50%. However, the targeted student mix that does not include students from the Balkans and the U.S., is 5%. The plan also lacks concrete marketing strategies suited for the diff erent countries. These decisions do not go unnoticed by AUBG students. “There are surprisingly not that many black people. That was something I was kind of expecting, but not on such a small scale,” said Arthur Nhapulo, a fi rst-year student from Mozambique. His statement was supported by Leul Kassa Teshome, a sophomore from Ethiopia, who shared that he would be more than glad to attend a club fair and promote AUBG in his home country. “There are at least 25 people who are willing to pay the full tuition fee price and come to Bulgaria if only they knew about the university,” said Leul. To gain international prominence, members of the Admissions Offi ce will visit more than 10 university fairs in diff erent “If we want to fulfi ll AUBG’s mission to educate ethical and responsible leaders of the region, AUBG needs to open more to international students,” Konedareva said. Even as a newly established university, back in 1991, AUBG managed to maintain a balanced number of international and Bulgarian students. In 2024, however, the diverse atmosphere has changed and the number of Bulgarian students has grown drastically. Can the eff ects of the rapid expansion be overturned? Currently, there is no answer. The only sure thing is that the university will continue to grow and the consequences will aff ect the cultural diversity one way or another. Editors: Spasiela Gizdova and Niya Manditsch There are no limitless resources, and, with its current budget, AUBG can recruit only 20% of students from the Western Balkans and a small percentage of Americans. countries in the following year. Professor Senem Konedareva, who teaches Bulgarian and Cultural Studies at AUBG, suggested that more research should be done on the Turkish market. “From my years of teaching in Turkey, I think students there have limited options for pursuing higher education and AUBG can be a great opportunity on both sides,” Konedareva stated. B ily a na S pa sov a
IS AUBG SPOTTED THE @aubgspotted Nov. 09, 2024 “Being honest is to take care of the community” - AUBG Spotted A UBG Spotted is an Instagram page established in 2022. The main purpose of the account is to spread anonymously given information from the people in the university. “It started as a way to fi nd your crush or send a little love note, then it moved to be a way for students to express themselves freely with anonymity,” explained the people behind AUBG Spotted. For two years now, a lot of names have been mentioned, a lot of feelings have been shared, a lot of gossip has been said, and a lot of rumors have been spread. At the same time, the popularity of the page has grown, as has the information received by it. AUBG Spotted is one of the fi rst things the freshmen get familiar with when they Is it illegal to ask a professor out? come to the university. Among these students is Lyubomira Staninska. “I found out from the group chat that we created in the summer. Someone shared the account [AUBG Spotted] there and I immediately went to look through their posts,” she said. AUBG Spotted is a vital part of life in the university. It sets a diff erent dynamic and it provides the latest news and gossip to the community. Lyubomira shared: “I am very interested to see what other people think about certain situations or if there is something written about me.” The opinions about AUBG Spotted are mixed. Many people would describe it as a gossip page and others would say that it is a safe space. One student shared: AUBG Spotted described itself as “a free space for gossip, whether it is about the students, the Student Government, or the university itself.” The admin of AUBG Spotted elaborated on how the page may serve the community. “There is little to no space for students who do not have positions of power in this university or clubs to express their opinions.” They also added that with AUBG Spotted they can criticize the university, its system, and its members, as well as express their love or hookup interest. Lyubomira stated: “Everything has positive and negative sides, but in my “Whether we have an Instagram account or not, gossips are everywhere, and everyone is gossiping.”
GOSSIP opinion, this page has more of a positive eff ect. That way people have space to share their thoughts without feeling threatened because sometimes people judge your opinion on something and having a place where you can anonymously share it is very freeing.” She has sent an anonymous message to the page that has been posted. “I wanted my message to reach a certain person. I saw that this person follows the page and because I did not want to personally say this to the person, I wrote it there with hope that they will GIRL OF AUBG? With the growing popularity of the Instagram page, the number of people sharing their thoughts is increasing as well. “The account gets around 20 to 40 anonymous messages per day depending on the events on campus,” said the admin. take the hint.” I am the only person that knows what I wrote. I told some people about it, but no one has evidence that it was me. The fact that it is anonymous gives you the courage to say something you usually would not say,” she added. All the information received goes through a thoughtful sorting. The admin shared: “Directly harmful and biased hateful messages are never posted”. They also added: “I have received messages from people asking to delete the post about them and I instantly do.” “There is no way a full name gets posted, a good digital footprint is important,” said AUBG Spotted about the role of censorship. The admins of the page are The current admin stated: “Since May 2024 (the time when the admins of the page switched) the account has changed from being mainly a gossip page to a way to speak out when there is injustice.” They later added: “It also opens the fl oor to students to criticize the Student Government, the staff , and the faculty. An opportunity that we do not have in the university.” Editors: David Mitov and Eka Iakobadze Our anonymous source has been mentioned personally in a post. They shared their experience: “My friends sent the post to our group chat and I was like damn that is funny.” changing every year. They are chosen via direct messages (DM) and engagement. 5 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily o Yo an Ly a ub en va
Sustainability in Motion and we got access to a lot of how much energy resources were being used. The numbers are extremely high, so I feel like there can be investments made, for example, in solar energy and other renewable types of energy.” Nov. 20, 2024 A s the world struggles with climate change, the question of how universities can deal with sustainability becomes even more dire. At the American University in Bulgaria, this question is met with concerns regarding sustainability practices during the ongoing campus expansion. AUBG has adopted several sustainability practices, such as recycling programs, energy-effi cient designs, and the switch from plastic to paper containers in the canteen. Opinions on the eff ectiveness of these practices range between staff and students. The president of the Sustainability Club, Amelia Delevski, expressed her frustration about the sustainability issues on campus: “We are defi nitely lacking and behind so many other universities. AUBG likes to align itself with a lot of Western values, but it seems like we are not really prioritizing sustainability.” Amelia said, “Meanwhile, on other college campuses across Europe and the US, this is a bigger topic that not only staff leadership is involved in, but students as well.” She emphasized the importance of assessing the university’s current environmental footprint, “Last week we had a sustainability expert come on campus and help us determine our greenhouse footprint, 6 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily Recent expansions pose both challenges and opportunities for sustainability. While the infrastructure can be designed to be more green, the engagement of those on campus is equally crucial. Community involvement also remains essential to the university’s initiatives. Aelita Khusnutdinova, AUBG’s fi rst Presidential Fellow for Sustainability, shared that residents contribute to maintaining good sustainability habits on campus. “A few weeks ago we had a speaker from Canada who is a sustainability expert and one of the things she told us is that it is not just how the buildings are designed that plays a role but also the behavior of the residents,” she said. While the Sustainability Club plays an important role, creating a sustainable environment on campus requires the contribution of everyone. Engaging in daily practices like reusing bottles or simply remembering to shut off the lights can contribute to establishing a greener campus and reducing carbon footprint. Arlind Koci, the Sustainability Club vice president added that without fundamental assessments or improvements, the university will not have a meaningful goal. “A long-term goal would be to keep data, to keep track of how much we are using and how we are using it and how we can use it more effi ciently and more sustainably,” Arlind said. Cost often remains a signifi cant factor when trying to implement new measures. The reluctance to invest in expensive tools due to monetary concerns can lead to missed opportunities for long-term sustainability. “I think anything we do should use the latest and best available technology for energy savings and environmental protection. The extra money to do it right is worth it because we want to showcase that this is what can be done,” said Professor William Clark, an environmental science specialist. He highlights the value of sustainability initiatives and how they should outweigh their cost. Editors: Spasiela Gizdova and David Mitov St oy a F na ra nze n
What Makes Alumni Professors Different? Dec. 03, 2024 O nce AUBG students, some professors experience being “freshies” at AUBG for the second time. Alumni professors Yenlik O’Neill, Yuliy Yuliev, and Philip Rusev shared their thoughts and experiences after accepting the role of the teacher. Incorporating popular trends, understanding the students’ workload, and teaching “real-world” skills. These are some of the advantages the trio shared about their courses. “One of the things the JMC major lacks is the knowledge of software. We have a lot of courses on storytelling, but we do not have the courses that allow us to put together a story. We have the product, but not the tools to make it,” said Professor O’Neill. Torn between the struggles of completing high-standard assignments, while at the same time educating herself on the needed tools via YouTube, Professor O’Neill got inspired. After graduating, she proposed a course on the technological aspects of creating a story. In the Spring 2025 semester, she will teach her fi rst three-credit course: Adobe Suites. Professor O’Neill shared that she is well aware of the power of students’ motivation and passion, which she strongly relies on for the success of her new course. “You can see when someone is eager to learn something, they experiment with things, they are always the ones that fi nish fi rst, and their eyes are shining. For them, I teach,” explained O’Neill. “Freelancing Foundations” is another new course, off ered this Spring 2025 semester, where Professor Rusev will give students insight into where creative work meets business. Having experienced diffi culties after graduating, he will emphasize the process of fi nding a job no matter the skill set, whether it be writing, video editing, or fi nancial advising. “I started doing websites for people I know, friends of mine. Then I freelanced for a year and a half, barely paying my bills,” said Professor Rusev. Then, after narrowing down his interests to UX design, and taking courses at Telerik Academy and SoftUni, he returned to his childhood dream - teaching. “I want to get people to work and solve problems right there, in the classroom. It is not just talking, but actually having a product at the end of a class. I will give students tasks, let them struggle for a while and get invested, then I will explain,” said Professor Rusev. Similarly, as an adjunct professor in Philosophy, Yuliev explained his current work with NGOs (BFL) and the business fi eld outside of academia (advising a Bulgarian football club on bitcoins) are what makes his courses, especially the ones in the business department, appealing for students. “I know what it feels like to be in Midterms Week and I can be compassionate,” Yuliev added to the list of advantages of being an alumni professor. That was confi rmed by one of his students - Alexandra Kim. She takes two courses with him (“Intro to Philosophy” and “Ethics”) and describes him as being very open-minded, friendly and cooperative. “He always makes a recap of the previous lectures which saves me during exams. I love his in-class exercises; he is the only one who does self-refl ection sessions at the end of his lectures. One time we even did a 10-minute guided meditation,” added Alexandra. Marta Reihmane, an exchange student from Latvia who takes “Fundamentals of UX 1: UI Principles, Atomic Design & Figma”, also expressed a positive opinion regarding Professor Rusev. “His class feels like a free space. He uses a lot of visual materials and examples, and the second part of the class is always practical. You can clearly see he is passionate about what he does,” said Marta. She also mentioned feeling like a student is teaching the class is benefi cial for the environment. “His communication with students is comfortingly informal but at the same time he is still well-respected,” added Marta. Dzhan Hyusein shared his experience with Professor O’Neill in her previous course: “She lets people handle their own creativity by giving them the freedom to choose and experiment.” Proffesor’s Advice When asked to advise other professors, the alumni suggested that staying up to date is the most essential part of capturing the students’ attention together with understanding the unique culture of AUBG. Regarding students, no matter if they plan on taking their courses or not, the alumni professors have a piece of advice for them as well: “Nothing good comes from Underground after 3 a.m. If it is 3 a.m. just go home, you have had enough.” - Professor Rusev “Try to avoid regret after graduation and balance between academic and co-curricular activities.” - Professor Yuliev “Create your own style.” - Professor O’Neill Editors: Niya Manditsch and Spasiela Gizdova | y B ily an a Sp as ova
Is There a Lack of Stud Engagement at AUBG? Nov. 25, 2024 3 55 new students. The largest class in AUBG history. This is an evolving trend over the last few years and created the expectation of even more student engagement. Clubs are at the heart of student life at AUBG but returning students quickly realized something: Recruitment parties were empty. The freshmen were nowhere to be seen. Soon, rumors began circulating about where all the new students were. Was the largest class in AUBG history merely just a number? This sparked the debate of whether this idea of students having no interest in clubs this year was actually true. We put this theory to the test and asked some clubs about how many people fi lled out application forms this year compared to previous ones. Below, you can see a line chart and table showing the applicants for each club over the last three years and the total number of admitted students per year. The six clubs that were asked to provide information managed to show us some truth in the rumors. The biggest outlier was StartUP, jumping from 26 applicants in 2022 to 71 in 2024. This is an astounding 173% increase and is far and away the most applied-to club out of those surveyed. (Note: StartUP did not provide the exact numbers, but this is an estimation based on the information they provided.) In 2023, the incoming class grew by 15.2% compared to the previous year and by 17.2% in 2024. Many clubs expected this to be refl ected at recruitment parties as well. However, these parties had low attendance for many clubs, and club members noticed the lack of freshmen’s participation. This brought up the question of whether students are not interested in clubs this year and why this may be the case. Apart from StartUP, none of the other clubs experienced an increase in applicants in both 2023 and 2024. Why is this happening? The student body is encountering serious growth and when compared to 2022, this year’s admitted class is 35% larger. Five out of the six clubs surveyed did not reach the same growth rate during this period. This can be attributed to other factors as well, such as non-engaging promotion, organization, events, etc. These are variable factors, so it is diffi cult to pinpoint how accurate they are, but one thing we know is that there is an increasing student body, but not an increase in club applications. This is especially strange for a university that prides itself on its community. Kaloyan Gavrilov, a fi rst-year student, shares some light. He had plans to apply for clubs but decided against it because he was unsure whether he could manage the workload with academia and club activities. “I have tried meeting with people and as far as I saw, most of them are very shy and are not really as extroverted as I thought they would be,” says Kaloyan when speaking about the class of 2028. 43 41 38 31 25 20 8 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily 2022 2023 2024
de G? 8 ent ? Kaloyan mentions that he talked with older students about clubs and was advised to be cautious when choosing them because some can be very demanding. He says, “They told me what is good about them, what is bad about them, and told me to really think about joining a club.” He praises clubs’ importance to the university “They are teaching you how to work in teams; what would it be like to have a business; hosting events; searching for partners.” Kaloyan also mentions that clubs can be benefi cial for your CV and provide you with helpful skills. 71 Only a month into his studies, Kaloyan admits that he regrets not applying to any clubs this year but believes he could have managed it and is looking forward to applying next semester. 50 41 31 28 26 21 26 22 20 27 49 Another factor for this lack of engagement is the small number of student leaders living on campus. Since last year, juniors and seniors have been given almost no spaces in the residence halls, forcing most of them to move off campus. This aff ects the awareness of clubs among new students as most club leaders are third or fourth-year students. Maria Hristova, President of XAIA Hiking Club and third-year student, says “When you are on campus it is much easier to connect... and now with club leaders living outside, it is a little harder to organize and takes more time.” 9 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily During the recruitment process, Maria says that there was “defi nitely much lower engagement than before.” She mentions that other clubs also noted “little to no engagement” at their recruitment parties. This makes it challenging for students to understand clubs and their role in campus life. With no long-term club members in the residence halls, it becomes much harder to be exposed to club culture and their activities. This creates a barrier for new students to get involved with the community. There are still applicants for clubs, but the absence of new students is becoming ever so prevalent in one of the most signifi cant parts of life at AUBG. Editors: Niya Manditsch and Eka Iakobadze D av id M ito v
Nov. 28, 2024 and even his home country. “I had to fi nd a therapist in Croatia,” he said. M ental health is important. Mental health is complex. Mental health is stigmatized and very often ignored. Truth is, people around us suff er all the time, usually alone and in silence. This silence is deafening though. Carrying a heavy burden alone is devastating for those who suff er. A burden that cannot be bottled up or easily communicated. What if we created a safe space for people to speak up? What if we cared for each other at least a bit more? What if we were open about mental health? The power of vulnerability and acceptance is capable of breaking down every wall. Sometimes it just takes one question or one embrace to make people feel heard and loved. These are the stories of brave AUBG students whose vulnerability and honesty deserve respect and appreciation. In order to preserve their right to stay anonymous, each student will be referred to by random pseudonyms. Jay, a junior at AUBG, seemed rather nervous to start the interview. Understandably so. “Where to start?” he asked with hesitation, and, after a couple of seconds of mutual silence and shared sympathy, he opened up. “I am defi nitely suff ering from mental illness (depression),” he said, sharing that, unfortunately, AUBG has not been able to give him much support. As a freshman, he took the initiative and went to the university counselor. He left the room so disappointed that he did not go back for another two years. “It was so dreadful. It was so bad, she is just there to get paid, it is simply frustrating,” he said. He felt disregarded: “I go to her with serious issues, and she just applies it to having a bad day. Did I not just tell her that I was struggling?” He decided to fi nd somebody else to ask for help, outside AUBG, outside Bulgaria, 10 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily Later in the conversation, Jay pulled out a box with pills and asked: “Can I make a live demonstration?” He shook the box a couple of times and then took one pill. “Last batch of antidepressants was so bad for me that I did not feel anything. I was a shallow person,” he said. Pills are defi nitely not a quick fi x for mental health issues, and as Jay elaborated, they can do as much harm to a person, as provide help. This explains why his journey with antidepressants has been in a way troublesome. Recently, he was prescribed a new set of pills which will take up to three months to show any eff ect. Jay hopes that this time they will be more helpful and can alleviate his struggles. “It is a combination of recent events and childhood trauma,” Jay shared. “My school life was so bad, that I felt suicidal for a year or two,” he added. Things did not get easier for him at AUBG. He felt increasingly worse, and the only person who managed to help him out was a friend who worked at a gym reception. Apart from being a friend, she was also his personal trainer. After her graduation last year, Jay has been suff ering more: “I am completely isolated, I have pretty much nobody here. I am silent, alone with my laptop and studying.” “You just do not know what to do. The counselor does not help. Any mental health event is during the most intensive class periods, and it takes a massive tragic event for anyone to start caring,” he said. He felt angry and disappointed: “What does it take for people to actually take mental health seriously?” He views the AUBG community’s response to mental health topics as a vicious cycle: “People just tend to move on. Tragedy happens, some people start caring for mental health and then they forget,” he referred. “People do struggle with mental health, and they are mostly silent, they cannot cry out for help, they cannot yell, they will remain in silence,” he added. Two weeks after the interview, Jay took a step and visited the new counselor, despite his past disappointment and many doubts. The good news is that the new AUBG counselor was able to off er him actual help. They sat down, talked through Jay’s situation, and set a plan for future meetings. The reality is it took him three years to go back to the university counselor. He shared how he had to convince himself against the hesitation to reach out for help one more time.
The series We Should Talk About This was planned to start last semester. It was supposed to start with a conversation with the AUBG counselor, but needless to say, the counselor was not too enthusiastic to cooperate and contribute. A couple of back-and-forth emails later, she stopped replying and, therefore, the interview never happened. Once we fi gure out how to bridge the gaps between diff erent members of the AUBG community, we will certainly have a better and safer space. Annie’s case is another touching story and brings up many diff erent aspects of mental health. about her struggles. “I was too scared to even tell my friends or family.” What is more, her partner was a teacher. With the eight-year -gap, Annie was well aware of the uneven power dynamic which complicated things even more. She tried her best to keep up with her studies at AUBG and even joined two clubs. Yet behind the curtains, Annie was drowning in tears. “I was so devastated that I tried to commit suicide. I had to do something because it was so hard for me to handle the situation,” she shared. Her partner would go from being abusive to convincing her that he loved and cared for her. She felt perplexed and lost: “It is never always bad, that is why it was confusing.” Annie tried going to diff erent therapists. One of them told her that she was in a codependent relationship, while the other asked her to not go back: “Because I was not doing a ‘proper’ job. I just could not because it was so mentally exhausting for me.” Annie spent her fi rst year in her home country because of Covid. Right before joining AUBG, she started dating a guy, who at fi rst seemed like a very nice and pleasant person. Yet, things took a radical turn in the relationship, and it soon turned abusive. “By that, I mean not just mental abuse but physical abuse too,” she shared. Considering how the cases of domestic abuse are treated in her country, Annie was very hesitant to speak up For her sophomore year, Annie managed to come to AUBG, which made the situation slightly more bearable as her partner was now far away and could not physically touch her. She tried to cut ties with him multiple times, but never successfully: “I blocked him on social media accounts, but he would start messaging me on Gmail or a bank app.” “Please forgive me. I will kill myself. I cannot be without you,” were his words to her. In her junior year, Annie met her current boyfriend. She found comfort with him and managed to open up and share her pain. “Having a person who listened to me and did not blame me was new,” she said. Whenever Annie tried to share her struggles with people around her, she would be blamed or called dramatic. So, this was a fresh start for her. Annie still has nightmares and panic attacks. In addition to her personal 11 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily problems, the political situation in her home country was very troubled, which intensifi ed her anxiety. “I did not have anybody here (at AUBG). I ‘lost’ so much time in my freshman year. It makes me angry,” she added. She noted that over time she has made a lot of progress. “I can talk about it now without bursting into tears,” she said, “I reached the realization that if I do not help myself, then no one really will.” Annie brought up an interesting metaphor: “Imagine that you are a fl ower. In order for it to fully grow, it needs sunlight. And if it has been deprived of sunlight for too long, it may still be alive but it needs a lot of support, like a wooden stick attached to it. You should also give it some water. That is how we are.” “It is probably impossible to get rid of all the trauma, but you can learn how to manage it and accept the bad moments too,” Annie added. She emphasized the issue of stigma: “Crying and being unwell is a normal way of processing grief, expressing emotions. It should be understood.” The conversation then switched to AUBG and gossip culture at AUBG. “It is frustrating. People do not know what is actually happening and still…” And still… They gossip, make assumptions, say thoughtless jokes, and go out of their way to label somebody. We should talk about this, and we should keep doing so. Mental health must not be stigmatized, if anything, it must be the loudest and most frequent conversation topic for us. To be continued… You can read the full version of the article at www.aubgdaily.com Editors: Toma Krumov and Niya Manditsch Ia E ba ka ko dz e
A e to Understanding the Bgarian University Ranking System Nov. 29, 2024 O n Oct. 29, the annual Bulgarian university rankings were released. All students received an email with information about the results of the fi ve most popular majors at AUBG. The research was conducted by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria and compared 51 higher education institutions that off er hundreds of programs across 52 professional fi elds. This year, AUBG scored 62 points (out of 100) in Administration and Management, 59 in Economics, 56 in Political Science, 51 in Public Communications and Information Sciences (JMC), and 60 in Informatics and Computer Sciences. AUBG has kept its place in the rankings relatively high, but it should be acknowledged that these are its lowest results (in all fi ve fi elds) since the introduction of the rankings in 2012. An especially concerning tendency can be observed in the Media Studies (JMC) department, where AUBG marks a drop of 11 points in the past two years. A similar trend on a smaller scale can be noticed in the results of the other four majors in the same time frame – Economics (5 points decrease), Business Administration (5 points decrease), Political Science (4 points decrease), and Informatics and Computer Sciences (5 points decrease). AUBG tops the ranking in Administration and Management (Business Administration). The university ranks No. 2 in Economics (sharing the spot with the University of National and World Economy), 12 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily Journalism and Mass Communication (shared with the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies), Political Science and European Studies, and third in Informatics and Computer Science. However, more context is needed to better comprehend these rankings’ complexity. Every university participating in the ranking is measured using two types of indicators: informational (based on data from national registers) and rating (primarily based on data from sociological research). The fi nal score for each university is determined only by rating indicators. These indicators use quantitative data, like student satisfaction surveys and faculty research output. These indicators are separated into six sub-groups. All of them determine the result of the university, with the most important sub-group being career relevance to labor market and regional importance (35% of the score), followed by teaching and learning (30%), science and research (20%), prestige (10%), teaching and learning environment (2,5%), and social well-being and equity (2,5%). Career Relevance to Labor Market and Regional Importance This is the most important category for the university evaluation. It focuses on unemployment among graduates, the applicability of the obtained degree, realization, income levels, economic impact, and regional economic contributions. Only people who have graduated from university in the past fi ve years are taken into consideration for the results of this research. Bulgarian 35%5 % 35 35 35 35 35 5% 35% 1010% 35% 10% 35% 5% 35% 5%55%%% 10%10% 0% g AUBG’s 2024 results reveal general trends such as rising unemployment, a decrease in the applicability of the acquired degree, and lower levels of realization in all fi ve university majors. A slight increase in the taxable income among graduates can be observed in the fi elds of business, computer science, and political science, contrary to lower taxable income in media studies and economics. i n 0% r o 2.5% 225%%5% C e ga P r i e e s e a t r l R m e e v l o e r o c & v i a a a l E q n n c e i t l T 2 e e l - y R r n i I p S t W u c g B e
25% 2.5 2 % 2.5% 5% T 20 2 Teaching and Learning on the rise, its standing with students and faculty is declining. Teaching and learning indicators evaluate various aspects of educational delivery, such as faculty qualifi cations, student-to-teacher ratios, academic support, and resources available to students. AUBG results in this category remain stable, as there are no huge increases or decreases in indicators such as accreditation assessment grade, theoretical knowledge, and satisfaction with teaching and learning compared to previous years. Science and Research 30%% 30 3 0% 20 3 0300% 30% 20% 20% Pa 20%%20% 20 200%20% The results in this category are shaped by scientifi c research conducted by and for the university and the involvement of students in them. They also provide insight into each institution’s research output, quality, and impact. A rather positive trend for AUBG can be observed in this sphere. Higher results were achieved in science and research indicators such as funds for scientifi c research, joint scientifi c publications, and the use of scientifi c products and services by employers in 2024 compared to previous years. Two other important factors for the sub-group, the intensity of science and research and its weight according to professors, remain unchanged. Prestige The prestige of an institution is estimated by sociological research conducted among professors, employers, and foreign and domestic students. They all create their own top 3 ranking of the best universities for certain educational purposes, and based on that, a general score is calculated. It is worth mentioning that faculty and students, who have listed their own university in their rankings, are omitted, as they are considered a potential bias. Paradoxically, while AUBG’s reputation among employers is Teaching and Learning Environment This category relies on data about satisfaction with the teaching and learning environment, students’ assessment of material resources and infrastructure, class schedules, and library stock assessments. Social Well-being and Equity This category focuses on factors such as scholarships, satisfaction with welfare, administrative services, social and living conditions, and career development support. Results from general indicators for teaching and learning environment and social well-being and equity show no major changes in these two categories for AUBG. They combine for 5% of the university’s grade, which means that they have little to no relevance for the fi nal ranking of the majors. AUBG’s lower ratings in 2024 can be attributed to several factors. One key factor is the decline in performance in indicators related to career relevance and regional impact, such as job placement rates, income levels, and increasing unemployment among graduates. Additionally, the university’s reputation among students and faculty has also decreased. Despite this, AUBG continues to lead in terms of graduate income in Business Administration and Journalism. Additionally, the university maintains the lowest unemployment rates in Political Science, Economics, and Business Administration. Editors: Niya Manditsch and David Mitov 13 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily c ei 2.5% 5%% 2024 T g o e L & n m a e sk L e c a r h r n i n il i n g n i g & n o g T e a c E h i n n v i r e a n t S R Vas e s n ca e c &h e r 2022 v
Crossword Across 1 Who is the Gossip Girl of AUBG? (p.4-5) 5 What is the theme of this year’s SG Christmas ball? 6 Which AUBG platform hosts the club’s constitutions? 8 Which club has the highest SG budget this year? 9 Who won the AUBG Soccer League in Spring ‘24? 10 A thing everyone on campus complains about (not the canteen)... 11 What is the theme of this year’s Business Club challenge? 12 Which program helps fi rst-year students transition to university life? Down 2 Which is the highest-ranked AUBG major for 2024? (p.12-13) 3 What is the name of the upcoming Broadway musical? 4 AUBG Daily’s fi rst event for this semester is called… (p.16) 7 Where does AURA usually host their parties? Vox Pop What would you ask Santa for this year? 1. Amelia Delevski: I would ask santa for no more 24 hours in a day, I need 40 2. Anonymous: I would ask Santa for a new roommate 3. Martin Milevski: A heartwarming relationship! A partner! 4. Davit Phutkaradze: Th is year, I would ask Santa for patience and strong nervous system. 5. Lizi Botchorishvili: I would ask for a penthouse and a house in every country. 6. Irina Blagoeva: Snow!! Th ere has not been a snowy Christmas in years What is the funniest/weirdest Christmas gift you have ever received? 1. Iva Nikolaeva: My weirdest Christmas giſt was actually a little plastic pony. Th e weird part is that the “lelka” in my kindergarten swapped mine and my best friend’s giſt , but in the end we liked our new presents better. 2. Davit Phutkaradze: A Christmas sweater for a dog… I do not even have a dog. 3. Ivann Dautais: “When my dad told me that I am phone addicted enough so he gave me a body phone stand, so I can watch anything without using my hands” 4. Neda Oresharova: My weirdest exchange of giſt s was when I received a designer’s perfume and I giſt ed the other person a jar of jam. 5. Irina Blagoeva: Together with two of my best friends we wrote a “contract” that we wiill travel around Europe together in the following year and each one signed it. 6. Yordan Daskalov: Last year we were exchanging giſt s in school and then they used to call me Yori so the person who had to give me a giſt , gave me a plush sleeping mask with Yori, from Winnie the Pooh, eyes and ears as well as princess tiara. 14 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily
CLUB Horoscope Olympics Maybe you were a little obnoxious in your previous life, so you defi nitely found your place in this one. You may not be good at sports, but at least you are trying…to be a referee. A true Paralympic by heart! With you shouting Oooooos, even people who participated in the fi rst Olympic Games in Athens can hear you. the business club The true representatives of hustle culture at AUBG. You have managed to fi nd a way to “shoot” down all the critics as a real cowboy from the Wild West. You and StartUP are like twins that have been separated during birth, but the similarities are evident - always suited up and ready for a great party in “ Billion.” Chalga music and early morning visits of Lelya Krasi are what you are running on, but it seems like you have nailed the formula for success. aUra Talk, talk, talk — safe to say, you love to yap. From music to politics to pop culture, you — and your listeners — know it all. But life on the radio is not always about talking: sometimes, you have got to learn to listen as well. Your (literal) aura will surely glow! the hub A gathering of modern-day knights, armed not with swords and shields, but with keyboards and mice. Together, you represent the future of technology—destined to shape the world at companies like Google, Microsoft, or perhaps even your own groundbreaking startups. But for now, let us admit it: life feels a bit like an old Facebook status update that reads: Current status: In a serious relationship with my laptop. broadway performance club Appropriate and nice, delinquent and fi ne, do not cry, babies, the rehearsals had just begun. “Watch your ass” carefully, take your Listerine, and prepare to sing until sunrise. With music and dance, acting as well, go through the year and see you on stage. start up You are a living example that eating, drinking, and making shady schemes is the right strategy for success in this life. It is inspirational to see how you take all the important decisions in “kruchmi” and “diskoteki,” solidifying the idea that business brilliance does not need a boardroom. It looks like everything is going in the right direction for you, so cheers and keep up the good work protecting the reputation of all business majors. More honors Nobody really knows what kind of people you are, maybe you do not know either. Are you serious? Satirical? Colorful? Scared? Are people scared of you? Maybe an idea for Daily’s next Vox-Pop. Two things are certain. One, people might not even understand what kind of people you are, but at least you are (trying to be) fun, documentary fi lmmakers with a peculiar sense of humor and Donald Trump’s levels of ego. And two, all a person needs sometimes is a roast show from you. the griffins Everyone wants to know the secret of how to juggle with so much going on around you. You embody a true American romcom - hot boys playing football, girls all around your surroundings (maybe some of them want to be even closer to you?- club meetings), and parties, parties, parties. Practice makes perfect, but more practice at football or partying? Sustainability club You may sometimes feel like a plastic straw, but now, you have found your true calling: championing the planet one reusable straw at a time. A true “tree hugger,” you have the determination to keep planting — literal and metaphorical — seeds. With a cause so just, every gust of wind may just be Mother Nature giving you a pat on the back! MEU Ah, MEU, the place where Brussels is more than a city; it is a state of mind. You thrive on EU simulations, heated debates, and the occasional existential crisis over how many acronyms you need to memorize. But beware! While your dreams are draſt ing treaties in Belgium, you are still stuck deciphering bureaucratic jargon for 9 am politics classes at AUBG. You may not be quite there yet but until then, practice your poker face— it is essential for both diplomacy and pretending you have done your readings. 15 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily Crossword Answers 1. AUBG Spotted, 2. Business Administration, 3.Cry-Baby, 4. Dare to Share, 5. Th e Nutcracker, 6. Student Hub, 7. Joshua, 8. Broadway, 9. Villa 13, 10. Internet, 11. Wild West, 12. MentiFY
Memoirs of Skapto 2 Fridge B eing tucked away in the corner of a common man’s room in a small town of Bulgaria, you would think that I am nothing more than an ordinary being. But what is there that I have yet to see in my lifetime? A man? A woman? A gargoyle opening the door to my soul in the middle of the night, begging for a meaning to fulfi ll hisfamished existence? But really I am a monument. Th e perfect representation of a typical student life. My blend of international tastes and accustomed experiences may seem chaotic, but they are also quite useful in the times of need. A newcomer always hesitates to get to know me. Th ey get disgusted by the sears and the sticky stains that I have kept with me over the years. My cold demeanor throws them off too. Th ey always scruff me from head to toe at the beginning of their journeys, cleaning the dirt that othershad leſt behind. But they soon learn that I am their best companion... Whether it is a six-pack of “Pirinsko“ beer or a jar of the Lyutenica your mother sent from home, I am here to ensure it lasts. 16 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily So, I stay put and wait for you. Th is epicurean life may be small and quiet but I do not complain. I am happy to record each and every person that has stepped foot in this average room of Skaptopara II. Yours truly, Fridge. - Mariam Melikishvili The Key L ooking through the wet window, the bored boy thoughts were only focused on the water drops racing to the bottom. He was so concentrated on fi nding the winner of his imaginary race that his grandfather startled him: “Hey boy what are you doing looking through the window, something interesting going on out there?” – his grandfather asked “No grandpa I am just quite bored today, there is nothing to do when it’s raining outside!” “Well now, let your grandpa lighten your mood, with a little story!” “Okay grandpa.” “It was a long time ago and I believe I was your age, it was a rainy day like this one, and I as well was bored and trying to fi nd something to do with my free time. My father, seeing me, decided to show me a locked room we had in our house, which I always believed was magical!” “Really? Was it magical like you imagined?” “It was magical alright, but not how I expected it, it was better! I witnessed parts of history which you would never see in a textbook or in a library!” “Wow what was in it so much?” “Well would you like to fi nd out?” – his grandfather asked and pulled out a strange key that the boy had never seen before. “Do we have such room here grandpa?” “Of course! Let me show it to you!” – he said in a soſt voice. Th ey went to the room and when the grandfather opened it, the boy bolted in it. He couldn’t believe what he saw that day and knew he would remember it forever. - Boyan Milenkov
Unpacking Media Narratives: Insights from Commetric T he media world is a fast-moving puzzle, and understanding its patterns is crucial - whether you’re studying journalism, PR, or simply curious about how stories influence society. At Commetric, we dive deep into global media trends, uncovering insights that go beyond headlines to explore the bigger picture. Here’s a glimpse into two topics we’ve recently explored: Immunotherapy The Human Side of Science Sustainability in FMCG Stories That Shape Consumer Trust Sustainability isn’t just a corporate responsibility buzzword anymore - it’s become a major way for brands to stand out. But what makes these stories stick? We’ve analyzed how brands in the fastmoving consumer goods sector craft narratives about eco-friendly packaging or ethical practices and how the public reacts. Are these efforts seen as genuine, or are they dismissed as “greenwashing”? For anyone interested in communication, this is a chance to explore how public sentiment can build-or break-a story. Design by: Rossitsa Cherneva/R4 Explore further 17 Fall 2024 | AUBG Daily Breakthroughs in cancer treatment, like immunotherapy, are changing not just medicine but the way we talk about it. Our research looks at how media platforms amplify milestones in science, blending patient stories, advocacy, and hard data. This area highlights the challenge of breaking down complex topics for wider audiences without losing their emotional impact - a key skill in storytelling across industries. These examples aren’t just case studies - they’re windows into how media influences industries, perceptions, and the stories we consume. Whether you’re keen on storytelling, research, or analyzing trends, these themes offer lessons that extend beyond the classroom. Commetric is a proud sponsor for AUBG Daily for a 3rd row! Want to dig deeper into topics like these? year in a
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LETTEREDITOR FROM THE Dear readers, Another semester has come to its conclusion, and it is fi nally time for some well-deserved rest. I am thrilled to present you with yet another issue of AUBG Daily! First, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to every single member of the AUBG Daily team for their incredible work on this newspaper – from the initial ideas to the polished fi nal product. What you see in front of you is the result of immense eff ort, creativity, and dedication from our reporters, editors, design team, sponsorship, and marketing departments. Thank you, “owlies”! None of this would have been possible without your hard work. I would also like to express special thanks to our president, whose unwavering support and presence for everyone throughout this semester have been invaluable. Thank you for always being everywhere for everybody. This message is also for all AUBG students. It has been a challenging semester, full of obstacles and moments that tested our resilience. But remember that even in the darkest times, there is light and hope at the end of the tunnel. It is essential to look out for one another – talk with your friends, lean on your family, and off er a helping hand when you can. Mental health is a topic we should never overlook and being there for one another can make a diff erence. Find our website here: On that note, one of the most inspiring aspects of AUBG is the way our diverse community comes together. This semester proved once again that we are strong only when we are united – this community can thrive only if we navigate the challenges and celebrate our successes as one. I believe collaboration is far more powerful than division as it has the ability to build bridges, foster meaningful friendships, and strengthen the spirit of unity that defi nes AUBG. All it takes is a willingness to give it a chance. As we move toward the holidays, take time to rest, recharge, and have some fun. We look forward to bringing you more stories, insights, and inspiration in the future. Wishing you success on your fi nal exams and a joyful break, Yors sincerely, V.Paskov Editor-In-Chief Layout Design: Ilustrations: Photographer: Kristiana Krasteva, Janina Ormanova Gabriela Stoeva, Maria Pencheva, Magdalena Yordanova Gabriela Stoeva
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