I’m an American college student who has an option to study abroad in Budapest for a semester and was wondering if Hungary is a good place to study in, like is it safe and are the universities there good? Ive never been to Europe so no idea what to expect
If you have the funds and visa possibility, then you should also travel a bit through europe. There you have a lot more different countries and cultures with relatively little distance between them. My sister was active in an exchange student program (though that was more like highschool students) and helped organize their europe travel tours. You can see a lot more of europe (keep in mind, that europe has totally open inner borders).
I’d say go for it, if anything because it gives you a new life experience at a time when you’re best able to enjoy it.
Expect an academic environment that doesn’t care as much if you succeed or not. American universities have been chasing college rankings in a way that European universities haven’t, and that includes pass rate. You’ll need to show up and be present to your classes on their terms.
Yes. Take any opportunity to travel you can. Same with any new adventure. Go for it
Beautiful spot and in central Europe you can explore everything else easily. I credit studying abroad as one of the most formative things in my life, I highly recommend it.
Go for it. Hungary is a beautiful country, even if in not a great economical condition right now. But thinking only about the cultural differences between the US and Europe, you should do it. It will open your eyes to something new.
What’s the economic conditions, out of curiosity? I know little on Hungary
Some expenses are on par with California (eating out and other such luxuries), but if you have a chance to cook, you can make the dollar (or forint) last.
But more to the point, the folk are just coming out of (hopefully) a 16 year period of hostile policy (craaaazy levels of corruption), and with high prices and low wages, our moodiness can be overwhelming.
Definitely take the chance, it will change your whole view on life, but prepare yourself emotionally. Be kind, but don’t expect the openness of US Americans. But whenever you do run into someone who shows openness, they are the genuine article.
I’m guessing you’ll be mostly mingling with other foreigners (good times, travellers are fun), but you might want to do yourself a favor and try to get a handle on some basic phrases of language. Hungarian is too far away on the language trees to be comprehensible, and half a year is only enough for the poliest of glots to learn our language. But some kind Hungarian words and phrases can make a world of difference.
Good luck, have fun!
I’d actually like to mingle and meet locals!
I’m pretty sure duolingo has Hungarian. Maybe that’s a good place to start.
I’ve heard the youth are coming off of alcohol (even in Hungary), but I’m pretty sure the bars are the most happening places still. The drinking age is 18, and they don’t really card in most spots. Ask the Hungarians for the cool spots, I only know about Gólya and Dürer.
FWIW, I drank underage in Texas bars and was also never carded. It was several decades ago.
Yeah… When I arrived in Hungary at age 10, I could buy cigarettes :). But I was a good kid and waited till I was 13. My first time getting tipsy was at 15 at a summer camp, sitting with the teachers/coaches. Friggin 90s.
We got a bit better. Kids can’t go into Tobacco shops and I believe they also can’t buy energy drinks (besides booze, of course). But just to give the vibe: the sale of flavored vapes is outlawed, and you see the police sucking on 'em out in the street 😅.
Drinking is good of course but I want to talk to Hungarians about everything, esp what they think of America
😏
If it’s not a strain on your or your family’s resources, then 100% go. Your degree will still be from your American school, and you’ll get credits. The experience will make up for any issues you have with education (unlikely anyway, especially with the way Abbott and company are ruining the public universities in Texas), both for your resume and your actual development as a person. Travel broadens your horizons and exposes you to different ways of living, even if only slightly. Hell, the “slightly” is in some ways one of the most important parts, because it really reiterates that people are people and they’re just trying to live.
I did a three week summer program in Brussels twenty years ago, and even that was an incredible learning experience. There’s something about having to get into a routine in another culture that makes it so much more impactful than tourism.
Absolutely do it. I’m an American living in Albania, I haven’t been to Budapest yet, but I have a ton of friends that go at least every couple of years. Everyone says it’s amazing.
In addition, it’s cheap rail and flights to the rest of Europe. Hop around every chance you get while a shitty hostel bed won’t break your body. If possible, plan to spend an extra month after your semester with a rail pass and no plan.
I really can’t stress enough how much I wish I would have done this. Go, use your student ID to get everything possible for cheap. See works by all of the ninja turtles, view ruins that existed and have been abandoned multiple times the age of the US. Eat weird food. See so many awe inspiring churches that you’re like, “oh, it’s ABC(another beautiful church)”
Honestly it sounds really cool, prob going to take the opportunity
You should absolutely take it, and make sure you take advantage of the rail system over the weekends to check out new cities as well. And don’t just go to Western Europe. Go to Prague, go to Croatia, go to Bucharest. Talk to the advisor about your concerns.
Thx for the advice. Yeah I wanna see all of those
Yes.
Yes yes yes. Don’t hesitste, don’t second guess yourself, don’t make excuses. Go.
When us old people say ‘you only regret the opportunities you missed out on,’ this is exactly the sort of thing we’re talking about.
Do it!
Thx lol, yeah I’m really leaning on doing this
Yes.
I had a great time studying abroad, can recommend
Thx. Where did you study?
munich
Nice
unless there’s a huge real risk (like ongoing war…) studying abroad is almost always a good experience
Thankfully Hungary is apparently safe, according to the global peace index
Yes!
do it
Yes
