Field of study in Wageningen: Economics and Governance
Study period exchange: 01/02/2019 until 14/06/2019
Country (exchange): Hungary
City (exchange): Budapest
University (exchange): Corvinus University of Budapest
Faculty (exchange): Faculty of Economics
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
I wanted to experience studying at another university in another country and culture.
What is the reason you chose for this country/university?
I wanted to go to a big city, and checked the courses that were given. I ended with Barcelona, Bologna and Budapest. I was placed in Budapest, Corvinus University.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?
Easiest to reach by plane, Wizzair flies on Budapest, relatively cheap tickets on Eindhoven. But also Check Vienna and Bratislava, sometimes these airports have better times to fly to and both are just 2h by train or flixbus from Budapest
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
How is the study formalized?
The academic level was average, not very challenging but also not lacking. The university is to my view a bit ‘conservative’ in the sense it says we are the uni, we know everything and you students should learn what we know/think is true.
What is the culture of the university?
Teachers are very approachable and friendly, however sometimes is communication via email somewhat slow. The digital world is for some older lecturers a bit (too) new.
By the esn there is a buddy program organised. This is nice because you can become friends with your Hungarian local and is helpful for finding out life in the first month. Try to put some effort in to meetup as I heard from some Hungarians that students don’t answer and just let the contact die out.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
There are in every building some kiosks with coffee, snacks and cheap sandwiches. Also a canteen restaurant with cheap meals are available (only during the day, dinner is not a thing), and the food is alright.
There is a gym at the uni, but due to weird opening times I have not used that one. Also sport and dancing classes are given via the uni.
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
There are two dormitories which you can rent a room in. This can be a shared room or a single room. There are also a lot of apartments that you can rent with people. I don’t know how much these cost, but it is way more than my €100 for a shared room in one of the dormitories.
What is the culture of the country like?
I have been to Hungary quite some times before and experienced the people as friendly and welcoming. Therefore I was a little bit shocked in Budapest. They have a very strong attitude in the service and shops, no greeting, grumpy faces etc, these are (sorry) mostly the lower educated people. Don’t bother that, its how they are there, I think that they in general don’t know how to handle tourists/foreigners. What also doesn’t help them is the lack of English often. But they value manners high, especially towards older people be kind and give your seat to them in eg the tram.
Local cuisine is very different than in NL, lots of meat, spiced dishes and many pastry sweets.
Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?
All-inclusive I paid 450 Euro per month.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
Very cheap student subscriptions for the public transport, which is phenomenal. Very frequent and every corner of this huge city is reachable within no time. Buy a semester pass around 55eur at a ticket desk (16000 huf) (also possible with the WURcard as is it an European university). Or the monthly cards in a ticket machine.
6. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
All the ‘tourist things’ are nice to visit, the castle hill, heroes square etc. But besides, the gellert hill, baths and nature around Budapest (normafa and Janos hill) are very nice to escape the busy city sometimes. Also margit island is a must go when the weather is nice.
What does not appear in the travel guide, but is worth a visit?
I travelled a lot to neighbouring countries. The esn of Corvinus organises some trips, which are very nice to attend! But also go to undiscovered places like Serbia, Ukraine (Kiev), Montenegro and Slovenia.
Do you have general tips and tricks about leisure time?
In the city centre are many restaurants and food bars. For students: Smart Kitchen, wokbar where you can choose your ingredients yourself and have a noodle box for just 4eur. Aquarium klub is nice for concerts, Instant (club) is nice but very touristic you’ll get tired from that. Many nice bars in the jewish district like Udvar Rom, Pajta pub, Doboz, Elatohaz, and other districts: A Grund, potkulcs. Also on Monday for all internationals at Morrisons 2.
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What was a challenge you have experienced?
The fact that you must discover the way things work all at your own. Also to be (more) lonely sometimes.
What was your best memory abroad?
The travels and trips with my international friends to different destinations. Also watching the sunset and the city getting lit up on of the hills (preferably Gellért hegy).
8. Contact details
Would you like to ask this student more questions about exchange?
Send a mail: jgskiraly@hotmail.com