Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wish I was still there - A trip to Budabest Past Review

By (Computer Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/15/2014 to 12/20/2014 with

Aquincum Institute of Technology / AIT - Budapest: - Creativity in Computer Science & Software Engineering

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned how to live on my own in a big city. Definitely worthwhile, made great friends, got to know a new culture. Budapest is great.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administrators were super nice, friendly, and accommodating.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Great location in the center of the city.

* Food:

Not a lot of food choices on campus, only a few main cafeterias and a hummus bar.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program itself did not provide a lot of opportunities to get to know native Hungarians. However there were a lot of culture classes that helped us get acquainted with Hungarian language and culture and took students on field trips.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Generally, a very safe city. As with any city though watch your pockets and try not to walk alone in the middle of the night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Budapest is SUPER cheap. Definitely a great city to go to on a student's budget.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Everyone spoke English.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Great city.
  • Interesting classes.
* What could be improved?
  • More Hungarian students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The computer vision in film class doesn't really have anything to do with film.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.