Budapest: Egészségedre! (Cheers) Past Review
By Dan D (Economics, Hamilton College) for
API (Academic Programs International): Budapest - Corvinus University of Budapest
I couldn't ask for a more positive experience. Budapest is the hidden gem of Europe. My recommendation is to find it while it's still hidden.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Corvinus University of Budapest |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Less intensive classwork. Since the classes are taught in English, any American (or native English speaker for that matter) has a huge leg up. The focus of my abroad semester was certainly not on academics, although there were times when I needed to buckle down and catch up with missed work. Don't expect to be pushed, but don't become too nonchalant either. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program host is awesome. She will help you with anything you need and has a great attitude and understanding of your difficulties. You are in good hands with all-state in Hungary. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Live with other student(s) in program, great way to bond with them. The apartments are all close to each other also. Not good for language acquisition, but good for comfort. |
| * Food: |
Any sort of food is available. Traditional Hungarian dishes require a sit down meal, but are also quite tasty. Subway sandwiches, Gyros, just about anything else is available also. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Each weekend holds a special trip to another part of Hungary or in Budapest. These trips are not required, and are quite flexible. We went all around the country to get a feel for it in its entirety as opposed to just seeing Budapest. The social life is the focal point for studying in Budapest. It's a melting pot of international students. Awesome. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke English, although I was required to take Intro to Hungarian. It barely helped, that language is extremely complicated. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be prepared to have some fun. The fact that students come to Budapest from all over the world gives your stay in Budapest even more international flair. You won't soon forget the people you meet... At least not until you meet new people the next day. It's a wild ride that will connect you to people across the globe. Don't miss out. |
