From an ELI student to a hall director

 

Arben Konedarev, Skaptopara 1 residence hall director, resigned from his position to pursue a career in law after 11 years at AUBG. A few people at the university know Konedarev outside the workplace, beyond his "Public Enemy" award at the 2008 More Honors ceremony. We decided to find out something new about him.

Could you tell us something about your life before AUBG?

I was born in a village 100 kilometers from here. I came to Blagoevgrad when I was in the seventh grade, I joined a Russian preparatory class at the National Humanitarian School [...] After that I entered the South-West University. In 1996, I graduated with a Master's degree in Special Education. Then I was in the military for one year. [...] In 2003, I finished my second Master's degree, this time in law.

Where did you master your English?

I won a Soros scholarship, and I studied at the English Language Institute  [ELI], which is very good. I did not know [any] English before I entered ELI in 1997, but it was useful for me. [After finishing ELI] I applied for a job at AUBG, and I became a security guard. I was responsible for the computer labs, making sure that students did not play games. In those times there were not enough computers, and students wanted to do their homework, that is why it was very important.

So how did you become the residence hall director?

In 2002, there was a competition for the residence hall director position. I applied for it and I was chosen. [...] It was not difficult, as I had been working for four years at AUBG with students. The most difficult part was that I had to live here, to bring my family and to balance both work and free time. I liked the job, it was not hard for me because I studied psychology at my university and I [understood] the behavior of young people, and how to deal with problems.

What were your first impressions about AUBGers?

[...]I saw they were studying harder than others [...] I realized I had to do things to create an appropriate atmosphere for studying. Education is very important, and most of AUBG students are not here just to have fun and be away from their parents.

But students do not only study here...

Naturally there are some students that are here for fun. They don't like rules and the people who implement them. But it's a job, somebody has to do it. And for these years I was that person. [...]

Surely you had fun memories about students. Can you share some of them with us?

[...]I always have fun moments with Resident Assistants [RAs]. I have participated in parties [with other students]; I have many friends among them. The job on the whole was fun for me. From outside it seems like I am a very serious person, that is not always true. People think of me as a strict person and I do not know why. Maybe because [...] in many cases I have to crash a party or do something in order to abide to rules and procedures.

You mentioned that you have always had fun moments with RAs. What do you think of their job?

They are good people. [...] We have always been friends; I was open with them, sharing everything. And even when they had problems not connected to their student life here, I was always ready to help.

Still, some students think you have a bad image at AUBG. What do you think about this?

I don't know why they think that I am such a person. [...] I prefer talking to people first, before punishing them. Prevention is my first step. Punishment is very easy, it is written in the book. It is very easy to follow these rules. [...] I prefer to talk to the student directly and after that I will make my decision.

What was your reaction when you were given the ‘Public Enemy' award by the More Honors Academy in 2008?

This is just a game, what should my reaction be? I received the statuette, and everyone was applauding. [More Honors] is funny, it is a way to relieve stress, [do] something different, not just study. It is good if students find the right way to do it, why not?

So why did you decide to resign?

I see nothing abnormal in resigning from a position in which I was working for six years. It is time for me to make my career in another field and to break with the university [...]

Did you have any job offer when you made up your mind to leave?

I have been offered [a position] at a law company in Blagoevgrad. [...] I will be at AUBG till October 8, and after that I will change my job. [...] I will be working as a lawyer.

You have become a legendary figure at AUBG. What do you wish to the AUBG community before you leave it?

Well, always stay young and try to get the most of this institution.