- Name
- Juliane
- Study Programme
- IMUK
- Semester
- 8th Semester
- Host Institution
- Intl. Business School (IBS)
- Location
- Budapest, Hungary
- Period
- February to July 2022
What was your main motivation to go abroad?
Since I have always been very open and interested in other countries and cultures, I was sure from the beginning of my studies that I wanted to spend a semester abroad. Especially due to the restrictions during the Corona period, I missed the real student life, which is why I chose a big city with lots of students.
By leaving your familiar environment, you develop personally, which you often only notice when you are back home in your familiar surroundings.
What were your biggest concerns?
The anticipation of my semester abroad was so great that all my concerns receded into the background. Since I had already been in contact with my five flatmates in advance, whom I met through a Facebook group for flat-share seekers in Budapest, I knew that I already had a few local contacts. My only concerns that I wouldn't get along at the university and that I would have difficulty communicating also quickly evaporated within the first few days of my semester abroad. The teaching style at the university was very relaxed, but still demanding. Even though Hungarian is not an easy language, you notice the gratitude of the Hungarians when you at least know words like "hello" and "thank you" in Hungarian. Otherwise, you can also communicate very well in English.
Would you recommend a stay abroad? Why?
I can answer that unequivocally with YES! Even though for many it means moving out of your comfort zone, you grow incredibly from the new challenges. By leaving your familiar environment, you develop personally, which you often only notice when you are back home in your familiar surroundings. Studying abroad gives you the perfect basis for making new contacts with other students and making friends for life.
What did you learn from your stay abroad?
First and foremost, it's all the cool memories I made during my semester abroad. During the entire months in Budapest, no day was the same. I met an incredible number of new people and made lifelong friends from all over the world. I also learned to be open to everything new and got the attitude to try everything unknown at least once.
Were your expectations met?
My expectations were definitely met. I had resolved to make up for my student time in Hungary, which was somewhat lost due to the Corona pandemic. I abolutely succeeded in doing so. There wasn't a day or evening during my time in Budapest that I wasn't out and about. Budapest is the perfect city to see and experience something new every day because of the diversity of people and places. There are countless bars, cafés, and other nice places to spend time with friends.
Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experience abroad?
I had an incredibly great time during my semester abroad in Budapest, which I will remember for the rest of my life! Never before have I met so many people from so many countries in such a short time. Even though Hungary may sound unspectacular at first, Budapest is, in my opinion, one of the best cities you can imagine for studying. It is also perfectly located for travelling to cities like Bratislava, Vienna, Lake Balaton or Croatia and Slovenia, making it the perfect base for exploring Eastern Europe.
Fun Fact
Although I took a Hungarian course at university, it was not easy to learn the language. It doesn't resemble any other language in the world, and always sounded to me like an alphabet soup. For the final exam of the Hungarian course, which among other things consisted of singing a Hungarian song in front of the class, the fun was therefore pre-programmed.
Impressions of Hungary
