Hungary for knowledge: Budapest stimulates the palate and the palette. Past Review
By Benjamin A (Cognitive Science., Carleton College) for
The Budapest Semester in Cognitive Science (BSCS) Program
I feel evermore a citizen of the world, gaining a perspective on internaitonal relations and economical bewailment.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Eötvös Loránd |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The BSCS program follows the European scale of grading 1-5. The teaching style was inherently different from the discursive methods I am used to at my home institution. Rather than relating the student to the material, many lecturers presented their arguments in isolation. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Resources on campus were found on an individual basis and remained inconsistent. Working with real people was a personal experience, which enabled results. I would have appreciated more consistent postal service, more communicative guidelines with regard to happenings in the city, and more explicit instructions overall. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm was a nice place, but antiquated in facilities. The kitchen were out of date and the bathrooms were in disrepair. The internet was spotty in access but actions are being taken to update the building - already over 100 years old. |
| * Food: |
lots of meat. few vegetables. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Christmas markets, opera, shopping, spelunking, excursions to wine country, side trips to neighboring cities, athletics, jazz concerts |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Budapest seems safe, especially during the day. |
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | The forint is weak in comparison with other economies today. This means most things are inexpensive for the student traveler. Still, money should be budgeted to maximize the experience. international student ID cards usually allow discounts on important purchases. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Resident permits, transportation passes, membership fees at local institutions. |
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? | none |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
English is commonly known and used in Hungary. General populace, especially the younger generations, are well versed in English use. The foreign language component was conveyed in class twice a week and it was possible to practice with native speakers in the dorm, public places, and stores. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be careful and safe while taking risks and allowing yourself to be open to new experiences. |
