Field of study in Wageningen: Management and Consumer Studies
Study period exchange: 11/02/2023 – 30/06/2023
Country (exchange): Hungary
City (exchange): Budapest
University (exchange): Corvinus
Faculty (exchange): Social Sciences
2. Motivation for exchange
Why did you choose to go on study exchange?
Because I wanted to broaden my horizon, and take the next adventure in my life. Studying in Wageningen, and moving away from my parents already learned me so much. I thought that exchange would bring me that too.
What is the reason you chose for this country/university?
Because I was interested in Eastern Europe. I have been there a few times and thought it was really underrated. The nature is beautiful and the cities too.
3. Accessibility to reach destination
Do you have any tips to reach your exchange destination?
I did it by plain, but know that going by train is also really accessible. There is a night train from NL to Vienna. From Vienna going to Budapest is just 2,5 hours.
4. University and studying
Could you provide some general information about the followed courses?
How is the study formalized?
It differed a lot per lesson. I thought that some courses were quite hard, not easy to follow and a lot of work. Other courses did not have a lot of workload. I think for the academic level that it was maybe a little higher than I expected. I thought that it would be really bad, but it turned out to be of quite some quality. The examination though, was nice. Passing a course was easy if you showed up to class and did your assignments well enough.
What is the culture of the university?
I like the culture there. I had lots of small classes with around 20 students and it was really personal. The teachers tried to learn our names and being interactive was necessary. I liked that. At WUR is totally different, where there are more big lecture halls with lots of students and some practicals but those are still with around 40 people.
What does the university offer the student additionally?
They had points where you could get free warm, cold and sparkling water.
5. Housing-travelling-living
What are the possibilities for housing?
Really good. It was easy for me to find a house for a reasonable price. I reacted to some rooms, and got one.
What is the culture of the country like?
The people are grumpy and the local food is not good. But it is a big city so you see a lot of internationals and there are lots of places to eat different cuisines.
Could you give a general price indication of the place of residence compared to living in Wageningen?
Around the same. In Budapest I ended up paying 400 per month inclusive gas, water, electricity. In Wageningen I pay 300.
Could you give some information about public transport infrastructure?
You can get a student semester card for 40 euros which is valid for 5 months, and it allows you to make use of public transportation throughout all of Budapest. I mostly walked to university. If you wanted to go outside of the city it was also quite cheap. Back and forward by a one hour bus was around €2,50.
6. Free time
What are must-sees in the area?
The highlights of the city. Some nearby other cities (Vienna, Prague, Krakau, Bratislava). Going by train or flixbus is how I went to those places. Both were really nice travel options. But also exploring Hungary was nice, going to other places there and the Balaton lake. You can go by train or bus, it is really cheap.
What does not appear in the travel guide, but is worth a visit?
Etyek; a really cute little wine town where you can drink a glass of wine for €1,50 between the vineyards.
Do you have general tips and tricks about leisure time?
Lampas is a really cheap student bar, instant a really big club with loads of rooms and ruin bars like szimpla and fuge udvar are really nice.
7. Challenges & best moment abroad
What was a challenge you have experienced?
Being away from home for a few months makes you sad sometimes. But that is logic, and everyone experiences those feelings. So talk about it with friends.
What was your best memory abroad?
I can’t choose a specific memory as it was all so amazing, I recommend it to everyone as the barrier to live abroad is so low and will never be as low. You will do amazing once in a lifetime things, so my best memory is just this whole experience.
8. Contact details
Would you like to ask Guusje more questions about her exchange?
Send her a mail: guusje.sterkenburg@wur.nl