A rewarding experience in Budapest Past Review
By Gabriel P (Political Science, Tulane University) for
CIEE: Budapest - Business + European Studies
One of the most worthwhile experiences I have ever taken in my life.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Overall a very functioning system and I thoroughly enjoyed the lecturing style of European classes. The only downfall is having to wait so long to receive your grade after the program ends! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Elizabeth and Kata were both absolutely amazing. Full of knowledge and information about any question possible... and all of the trips and events planned were superb. Couldn't have asked for any more out of the program and administrators! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Room was a bit too small but it was easy to get used to after a while-- and I had great roommates and was very fortunate for that. |
| * Food: |
Perfect. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Just about every trip we were taken on by the CIEE directors was fabulous. My strongest memory of the study abroad experience was our trip to Transylvania where we got to live with and around a completely different culture. It was truly an unforgettable experience that I will never be able to do on my own ever again. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was pretty sick at one point and got all the needed care and medicine from the CIEE directors. I also felt incredibly safe during my stay both in Budapest and in Europe. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I'm not exactly sure... but in comparison to the rest of Europe, it was very cheap. I'd say you could easily get by $50/week if you budget and save significantly.. although I was probably on more like $80-$100/week without traveling included. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling. Can add up over time. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4500 level course |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I could practice with my roommates and dormmates. Yes, every day I had to use the host language to get by in the city. Although many people did speak English, I had to use my Hungarian language in day to day activities. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do it if you're comfortable accepting a relatively new culture and willing to try something completely different yet still not out of the realm of modernity. |
