Trusting to Learn

Being surrounded by new people speaking a strange language in a different country can be entirely overwhelming. You may feel like you’ve made a mistake or that you’ll never feel comfortable in this unfamiliar place. You can’t read the signs or navigate public transportation and you think you’re the only one.

First of all, trust me when I say that you are not the only one. Second, trust your own ability to learn. Nobody expects you to be a tour guide fluent in the native tongue in the first week. It took me five days to even begin feeling oriented in Budapest and the Hungarian language is a mountain of its own.

Hungarian is no easy language to learn! Thankfully, most businesses have English translations nearby.

I recommend taking a language class to help you feel more comfortable. It won’t be instantaneous but it will help. Try to read signs, if for no other reason than to work on pronunciation and slowly make your way to comprehension. You’ll be exposed to the words constantly for as long as you’re in your chosen destination so there will be plenty of opportunities to practice.

This will also help your ability to navigate. It’s much easier to ask for directions when you can say the name of the place you’re looking for. Having never needed to use public transportation in southern Maine, I’ve found it to be slightly confusing but incredibly convenient and worth exploring.

The tram is only one of many ways to get around Budapest, which also include trolley, bus, and metro.

To get a better idea of how it all works, get a friend or small group to explore, even without a specific location in mind. It can be more comfortable (and safer) to go with someone else and can be good for bonding while everyone’s learning together.

Ráday Utca dormitory

Familiarize yourself with your new surroundings and make it your new (even if temporary) home. In time you’ll find your favorite cafes and pubs and the best place to go for good Wi-Fi.

The university dorm I’m living in for the semester is located on a street littered with places to eat, drink and shop. I found amazing croissants around the corner (Butter Brothers) and a great café down the block (Nándori Cukrászda). With the help of language class, I’m even starting to learn how to pronounce the Hungarian names!

You’ll also learn to balance yourself; accept that this may take time. Maybe you need some alone time or to Skype with Mom and Dad or to go for a walk. Sometimes all it takes is a message to a friend from home. Be careful not to lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of a big change, but don’t rely too much on where you came from.

Sometimes you need to stop checking your hometown news and change the default weather on your phone to where you are now before you can make it your own. An honest talk with a friend-in-the-making may be in order. A few tears might fall, but a lot of laughter may follow.


Try not to let yourself get too overwhelmed. It can be a lot to handle at once but trust that you will learn.

Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary