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

  • calm.like.a.bomb@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    15·
    4 hours ago

    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.

      • dzsimbo@sopuli.xyz
        6·
        3 hours ago

        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!

          • dzsimbo@sopuli.xyz
            2·
            2 hours ago

            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.

  • Zedd @lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    10·
    3 hours ago

    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)”

  • Swordgeek@lemmy.ca
    4·
    3 hours ago

    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!

  • red_tomato@lemmy.world
    4·
    3 hours ago

    Budapest is nice. You won’t regret it!

    The best part about exchange is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I still have contact with friends I met when I did exchange over 10 years ago.

  • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
    2·
    3 hours ago

    Sure why not? My wife studied there and loved it. Great opportunity to visit other European countries too with how their visas work.