COR 375 with Dr. Mark Edwards & Dr. J. Frederick Bland

$1,200 student cost*

*Cost with the full university discount. $150 study away fee is not included in this amount. University  discount applies to 1st CCS program only. Students who transfer in 58+ credits should contact the CCS  office to determine their level of discount.

Discover Bulgaria, a playground for the historian, sociologist, and economist. Take a walk through time as you explore the ancient history of Bulgaria. Understand how historical events and changes in the political, economic, and religious fields have brought about major cultural transformation. Hear about how these changes are perceived by Bulgarians of various ages, and see the effect they have had on modern social systems and relationships.

Learning activities may include:

Economics

Learn about Bulgaria’s economic state as you meet with economics ministers and professors in Sophia and take part in micro-financing through local missionaries’ shops. Dialogue with Roma families to understand the difficulties they and their children face economically. Discuss how tourism and the US and EU are (or are not) aiding Bulgaria’s economic development; see the extent to which Bulgaria’s religious heritage is a force of tourism and economic growth.

Education

Visit an elementary school and the University of Sophia to meet students and discuss Bulgarian college life. Meet with education ministers to learn about standards and goals for the education system. Compare and contrast the Bulgarian education system to those in Western Europe and how education varies between urban and rural areas of the country.

Family

Visit Roma Villages, both urban and rural, to better understand differences in familial structures and intergenerational relationships. Gain an understanding of what gender roles look like in Bulgaria; see how trafficking, religion, and the fall of Communism have influenced the family structure.

Government

Understand the nature of Bulgarian government, how its chief ruling parties work, and the influence Communism and Orthodoxy still exerted in policymaking today. Learn about legal structures and the effects they have on the Roma. Dialogue with political science and international relations professors in Sophia.

Religion

Explore Kavalla and Philippi in northern Greece to understand the intertwined religious history of Greece and Bulgaria. Learn how due to historical changes, Protestant Christianity exists alongside the official religion of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and newer protestant churches. Visit both ancient and current places of worship; interview religious leaders at a synagogue and mosque in Sophia. Discover what kind of presence the Muslim population has in Bulgaria and learn about its historical roots.

Other potential activities may include:

• Discover the shores of the Black Sea.
• Visit Bulgaria’s majestic mountains and Roma Villages.

“For those interested in immersing themselves in a rich, diverse, yet challenging cultural experience Bulgaria is perfect. It taught me to see God’s beauty in everything. In Bulgaria, you can see the raw hand of God working in amazing ways. In my whole life, I have never experienced anything which touched my heart more or brought me closer to the throne of God!”

Remi Gelatt

“Bulgaria is a beautiful country and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to visit it. If you give the culture a chance, you will learn the positives and negatives of it. You might even fall in love with it, which is what I’ve done with Bulgaria. I am eager to learn more about Bulgaria’s culture and wish to return.”

Alyssa Bonk

Travel Information

Departure Dates

January 2024 experiences may begin sometime during the last week of December 2023 and last 19-23 days. Students should not make irreversible plans until their departure date is confirmed by the CCS office in early Fall 2023.

Health & Safety

This experience, like all CCS experiences, is subject to political and safety realities at the time of departure. CCS options can be physically and emotionally intense and stretching. Before enrolling, all participants should consult the disclosures on Physical Hardships of CCS.

Covid shots are not required as of December 2022 for Bulgaria. For more details on required immunizations consult the immunizations chart.

Passport and immunizations required (both at additional cost).

Trip Costs

CCS program costs do not include: tuition, passport, immunizations, or the $150 study away fee. The study away fee provides insurance, travel photos, deposits, and support services.

CCS trips are not guaranteed and are subject to change.