A guide to foreign study in Budapest and beyond

By: Monika Jones

For foreign students hoping to study abroad in Europe, the charms of Budapest are obvious: a Central European location, reasonable prices, great public transport, beautiful architecture, and cafés and bars for studying and socializing. Here's our brief guide of programs to study, including the legal nitty-gritty, what it's like living here, and how to fund a priceless adventure in a country that's had 1,000 years of rich, dynamic (and bloody) history. And, as you'll find out, prices might not be what they were in the early 1990's, but studying in Hungary is still a cosmopolitan adventure at a low price - in cities filled with baroque architecture, smoky bars, Turkish baths, and marble theaters.

 

WHAT TO STUDY

 

Depending on your year in school and interests, there are a variety of programs in Hungary that give foreign students a way to combine their academic interests with a few months in Central Europe. From engineering to literature, Hungary has a rich educational history and most programs feed into this.

 

For undergraduates from universities in the European Union and affiliated states (Norway, Liechtenstein, Turkey, and Switzerland) the easiest way to get to Hungary is through the Erasmus Program, a fees-free exchange. In 2007, 2,199 higher education institutions and over 1 million students across the 31 countries participated in the program.

 

Non-EU citizens should check with their home university for exchange programs. Otherwise, directories such as Academic Programs International, the worldwide GoAbroad.com, or Study Abroad Links are good places to start general searches.

 

It's also worth considering going to Hungary for graduate school. With institutions offering degree programs in English, accredited in the European Union and in some cases also in the United States, it's a big draw and sure-fire way to a rich, international experience.

 

The Central European University offers masters' and doctoral degrees in the social sciences as well as Masters of Business at the CEU Business School.

 

For students interested in the natural sciences, Szent István University has a respected veterinarian undergraduate and graduate program in English, Hungarian and German.

 

For other programs in Hungary, browse the Study in Hungary website.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

 

What to expect from the courses will vary depending on where you study, and what you study. For some students, the programs are easier than at their home university, for others they are much more difficult as the courses might be in a foreign language or at a graduate level.

 

One American student from Oberlin University spent a semester of her junior year studying history in Budapest through ciee.org. She said it was a breeze as the course was filled with other Americans who didn't take things very seriously.

 

"Most of us studied the culture of Hungarian bars at least three times a week until late at night," she said.

 

On the other hand, a Danish student studying literature at the Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) said he would return to Denmark with the lowest marks he'd ever received because some of his courses were in Hungarian and he was being assessed alongside Hungarian native speakers.

 

"It was a challenge," he said, but he also integrated into the community as a result. "I really got to know Hungary, and my language skills improved."

 

In all, students enrolled in Hungarian-accredited universities were generally happy with their professors' level of English, the materials in the library, and the quality of their education.

 

The biggest complaints were about bureaucracy: both at the universities and in Hungary in general. A few former students said student service offices were remarkably understaffed, and everyone commented that lines are long and customer service varies in quality.

 

To get a real feel, it is worth asking the universities and programs to arrange a chat with a current or former student to see what their impressions are.

 

LEGALITIES

 

After you've found your perfect course, you'll have to sort out the legalities of getting to Hungary.

 

EU citizens can enter Hungary without a visa for an indefinite period and don't require a work permit for employment.

 

Other citizens might have to follow a more complicated process. Check with a Hungarian consulate for visa requirements; some countries are granted a 90-day tourist visa upon entry to the Schengen-zone, while others cannot enter without a visa.

 

If your program is longer that the three months you'll need to get a student visa prior to arriving in Hungary. This can take between 4-6 weeks to process. Either your home university or the university you will attend can assist with this process.

 

If your visa runs out before your program finishes, you'll need to apply for a residence permit (tartózkodási engedély), and head to the immigration office (bevándorlási hivatal); for details, see their official website. Securing a residence permit is a lengthy process: expect to wake up early, wait in line, and have to come back a few times.

 

Unfortunately, neither a student visa or a residence permit grants you permission to work. You'll need a work permit (munkavállalási engedély) for that. In most cases, businesses are not eager to dish them out, as they have to prove the job cannot be done by a Hungarian and do a slew of paperwork in the meantime. On top of it all, Hungarian tax can be up to 55% of ones income. On the other hand, working without a work permit is illegal.

 

Granted, there's a healthy gray-market economy in Hungary. But that guy you've heard about who lived in Budapest for years without a visa - just crossing the border every three months - did so at the risk of deportation. Now that Hungary is in the Schengen-zone, playing such games is even trickier.

 

LIVING

 

Where you eat, sleep, and hang out will depend on your program of study. This can range from university-owned flats or dormitories, to staying with a family, or getting your own place.

 

Short programs often arrange housing for participating students, which means they have one less thing to worry about but might be out of town a bit, or not have the opportunity to get to know students outside their program. For those here for longer, renting a flat can mean a more authentic living experience.

 

Living in a shared apartment in the city center will cost around Ft 35,000-60,000 (€140-€240) per person, per month, not including utilities. Districts V, VI, VII and IX in Pest and Districts I and II in Buda are the closest to the city center, most universities, and within walking distance or a short tram ride from bars, restaurants and cultural sights.

 

Living in the outer-ring districts can be cheaper but less convenient, even though public transportation in Budapest is known for its speed and efficiency.

 

When renting a flat in Hungary, remember there's no over-arching policy on who signs the utilities contracts. Both parties should be sure to discuss specifics such as bills, pets, smoking, sub-letting and children prior to signing a contract. Renters are usually responsible for installing an Internet connection.

 

Going through an agency such as Blue Line can make things easier, but you will, of course, have to pay a fee.

 

Keep in mind that most universities have resources to help students find a furnished flat in the city.

 

Finding a room to rent may prove to be the easier option. In Hungary, search for rooms or flats on English-language websites such as caboodle.hu and craigslist, which often post vacancies. If you need short term accommodation, consider staying with someone through Hospitality Club, or checking out the Erasmus network of flat-swapping called Casa Swap.

 

Students have said that many flats in Budapest in particular are in old, un-renovated buildings and that problems with pipes, windows sills, mold, and heating are common. One the bright side, most students found these idiosyncrasies all a part of the experience.

 

"When you take everyday, mundane experiences and put them in an exotic setting, every single day is full of adventure and excitement," said Josie Cowell, 20, a student who studied for a semester in Szeged through the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.

 

Of course, there comes a point when the novelty wears off and becomes annoying, so be sure to research your living situations thoroughly.

 

LEARNING HUNGARIAN

 

Taking a course to learn Hungarian isn't a bad idea. Even if your classmates and teachers speak English, it will make getting around town easier and you might even win the heart of your local grocer. Learning the language may take some time, but a few words of Hungarian are a great party piece and a good way to make new friends.

 

If your school doesn't offer a program there are courses through the Debrecen Summer School, the best-known language school that runs intensive summer programs in language and culture in Debrecen, Sopron, and Budapest.

 

Additionally the University of Szeged offers a month-long intensive summer course, and the Central European University offers language courses throughout the year.

 

Another way to learn is in a home stay, which can be arranged through your university or a program such as ciee.com.

 

American student Kristin Nichol lived with an older Hungarian couple in Békásmegyer during her four-month program in math and science with Davidson College, and said it was the best choice she could have made.

 

"They became my Hungarian family," she said, "because I wanted to speak with them, talk to them daily, I learned Hungarian thoroughly and very informally."

 

FOOD & DRINK

 

Rich and meaty, traditional Hungarian food is a force to be reckoned with, particularly if you shy away from pork, paprika, or clogged arteries.

 

But food in Hungary can be fairly reasonably priced. Try having lunch at one of the city's a büfés or canteens, they often have a daily set-menu for €2 or €3.

 

To go out and about in the evenings can be more expensive. An average dinner will cost at least Ft 1,500 (€5); dinner in the city center can be nearer to London prices if you change upon a posh restaurant. Once in a while it is worth the splurge, and there are heaps of restaurants to check out, visit caboodle.hu's sister site, chew.hu for more info.

 

Drinks also depend on where you go, but if you find yourself paying more than Ft 1,500 for a cocktail, you are being ripped off. A big glass of beer (korsó) won't cost more than Ft 450 (€1.80); in the countryside it can be as cheap as Ft 150 (€0.60).

 

If you are trying to keep an eye on your wallet, the best way to go is to cook for yourself, purchasing fruits and veggies at one of the public food markets in the city and your staples at a supermarket.

 

All in all, life in Budapest is not as cheap as it was in years past, but it isn't outrageous. For a detailed estimate of the cost of student life in Budapest, the Central European University posts annual estimates here.

 

PAYING FOR YOUR TRIP

 

Funding your studies will again depend on your program. However, there are often a number of scholarship programs that you can research through your home university or the university you would like to attend.

 

Additionally, databases such as Study Abroad Funding are a good place to start for undergraduate students from North America.

 

For graduates, the European Commission offers generous - and competitive - Erasmus Mundus scholarships for graduate study to non-EU citizens.

 

Also, the Rotary Foundation offers Ambassadorial Scholarships to socially minded students.

 

Finally, if you are a graduate student in the United States, there is an opportunity to come to Hungary with the Fulbright Commission.

 

Of course, this is a guide, the nitty-gritty. And nothing can affect you more than being here and figuring it all out for yourself, which will inevitably affect you in more ways than you can possibly know. By studying somewhere, you gain invaluable knowledge about ways of life and your own adaptation skills, and this is something that no program or scholarship can teach.

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