In a time when ethnic clashes are happening just a border away, the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) has managed to maintain a mix of ethnic diversity in an atmosphere of creative work and prolific studies.

For 10 years now, the university has established itself as an example of diverse possibilities and a unique opportunity for young people from the Balkan region to get together and receive a first rate liberal arts education. During the same 10 years, the East and West have mingled in an environment of economic instability, diverse mentalities, and controversial political situations. Here Kossovars and Serbs take classes in foreign policy, exchanging ideas over the development of a real future for the region. Here, a young person who wants to blend in a different type of society may fit perfectly well and express themself in a number of real-life extracurricular activities.

AUBG was established in September 1991, with 12 full-time professors and 207 Bulgarian students, who had the opportunity to choose among 22 courses in liberal arts. Back then, the university's "technology" consisted of one computer and one fax machine.

Since then, AUBG has gathered 49 full-time professors, five part-time professors, one visiting professor, and 24 faculties. Enrolment has reached 700, 30 per cent of which are international students. AUBG president Julia Watkins plans to expand the student body to 1,000 students by 2007-08.

Now there are 169 courses in the liberal arts with 10 major programs. The university gives a lot of opportunities to its students, not only from an academic point of view, but also because of its diverse basis - students and staff enjoy 24-hour free Internet access via the 350 computers, 100,000 library volumes, 1,000 current periodicals, and partnerships with 17 universities, including student exchange programs with five of them.

Having only recently emerged from the communist regime, Bulgaria is generally unacquainted with the American type of education. When deciding to establish a university in the Balkans, the organizers had one major idea in mind - the university had to be relatively central to the Balkan region and able to accept students from neighbouring countries. Balkan students were invited for the first time to experience an education based on the liberal arts system. They have the choice of taking courses from the following majors: American studies, business administration, computer science, economy, European studies, history, journalism (mass communication), mathematics, and political science (international relations).

The university has a wide range of clubs and also has two student run newspapers, VOX and Aspecter, and Radio AURA, which was one of the first private radio stations and the first in Bulgaria to be run entirely by students.

Graduate students of the university have found success in different prominent spheres of society. Many decide to continue with their studies finding place in some of the most prestigious universities all over the world. Others are hired in various Bulgarian or international companies.

"The university's base is just perfect, the possibilities - extensive, and I have found here my most precious and durable friendships," an AUBG senior, Vesselina Tzareva, recounted about her four years at the university.

Svetlozar Andreev, an AUBG graduate from 1996, now pursuing a PhD in Florence, said that for him, going through an American type of education in Bulgarian conditions, provided the best foundation for the achievement of his career plans.

"Everything here is so smoothly organized and regulated," said Anelya Staneva, a senior. "You can choose the courses you want to take each semester, you have the computers and the Internet to work on day and night and you have the dormitory to go to and rest in your own room or chat with friends. I fear losing this stability and tranquility after graduation."

Marco Mulcahy, one of the new professors in journalism this fall, has in his media ethics class students from Belarus, Romania, Moldova, Iceland, the U.S., and Bulgaria. He said that he is stimulated to learn from the way students here overcome ethnic prejudices, everyone respecting each other's opinion. Mulcahy pointed out that students have a lot to be proud of, because of the high-quality education they are able to obtain.

The local community of Blagoevgrad also benefits from AUBG activities. Apart from the many exhibitions that are open to the public on the main floors of its building, students regularly support the orphanage by donation campaigns.

Kostadin Paskalev, the mayor of Blagoevgrad, has said that AUBG is the biggest local investor. For example, for the construction of the new Scaptopara dormitory, some $3.5 million were invested, all of which was spent on local businesses.

The university also organizes different projects, seminars and training programs, inviting prominent guest lecturers from a broad spectrum of fields. The most famous project is called Kosovo Education. It hosts a number of young Albanians who are given the chance to complete their studies in a peaceful and productive environment, funded by USAID.

The retraining session this year of ex-military officers is one of the university's attempts to diversify its activities.

Also the initiative of the Elieff Centre in Sofia for masters and certificate programs is the next step towards broadening the university's academic impact over the region.