Crossing Bridges

There's a proverb that became all too relevant to me in this bittersweet weekend: "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

I had the privilege of crossing bridges over canals in Amsterdam with two of my closest friends this weekend. But this joy was interrupted when we had to cross a different kind of bridge: making decisions in light of tragic events that were far too close for comfort.

Amsterdam: Bridges Adorned with Bicycles


I happened to have the same Thursday night flight as two others in my program and so we kept each other entertained on the way to and while waiting in the Budapest airport. It was nice to have the company and someone to hold my bag while I got my shoes off to go through security - even though I forgot to take off my jewelry.

My first friend landed in Amsterdam shortly after me and we met at the end of the hike it took to get to the arrivals hall (that airport is HUGE). We took a bus to the hotel, got off at the wrong stop and, once we became too skeptical of the directions I got from Google Maps, stopped in a gym to ask the reception for directions. It was another 20 minutes walking but (as we constantly reminded ourselves) we were in Amsterdam - where canals make navigation easier and excessive bicyclists make crossing streets scarier.

Street-sized hallway in the Amsterdam airport

Amsterdam sign by the Van Gogh museum - nearly empty in the rain

Street and bridge completely covered by bicycles. They even had their own parking lots!

More bicycles in front of the palace by the Red Light district

We finally found and checked into our hotel - a Best Western half an hour out of the city - before venturing back out for dinner. We decided to stay in the area so we didn't have to attempt navigating night buses. We ended up at a restaurant down the road where only one waiter seemed to speak English and the menu was only in Turkish and Dutch, but the food was good and we got two mugs each of Turkish tea on the house.

The next day we met our other friend at the train station and found a café for breakfast in the city center. It was delicious and they had two cats! That wandered freely and received attention from whomever they pleased. We intended to go from there to the Anne Frank House but thought the line was too long (this will come back later) so we went to the Van Gogh museum instead and followed that with a tour of the Heineken Factory.

Heineken Factory

Heineken Factory

Cat in the cafê

Saturday was emotionally sobering. We woke to the full news of the attacks and to friends, family, and school officials confirming our locations and well-being. My friends had to confirm they had safe travel back to their cities and one of them had to completely change her plans to avoid flying in to Paris. It was stressful, it was frustrating, and it was sad.

For comfort we returned to the café with the cats for breakfast. We went to the Anne Frank House - only this time the line was three times as long and we waited (freezing) for two hours. But it was incredibly worth it.

We saw the bookcase that hid the doorway to the secret apartment where she and seven others lived in hiding. I learned things I didn't know about the holocaust, about Anne Frank, and about her diary itself. For example, she rewrote most of it with the hope and intention of it being published after the war.

Canal by the Anne Frank House

Once we let it all sink in and got our thoughts together again, we walked to the Red Light district to see what all the hype is about. It's exactly what you'd expect from the Red Light district.

Christmas decorations in the Red Light district

The rest of the night was spent back at the hotel pre-packing and watching Netflix before calling it an early night - one of my friends had to leave shortly after four in the morning because of adjusting her flights. It was fun as always to see them, especially in a pretty European city, but it did not go as planned.

Bridges of Nightmares 


This weekend was the closest I've gotten to being ready to go home. In the wake of tragedy I missed the comfort of home, of my native tongue, of distance, and of being able to go in to the next room to hug my friends and family.

I'm mad.

I'm mad that we had to cross this bridge. I'm mad that one of my friends had to deal with the stress of finding the safest way back to her study abroad city in Western France. I'm mad that we cancelled our trip to Paris next weekend out of safety - out of fear.

I'm mad that nearly every conversation I've heard in English since has been related to the attacks; that this is what preoccupies minds. I'm mad that it is a conversation that has to be had. Most of all, I'm mad that we live in a world where such a tragedy, such a violation, may occur at all.

I'm also lucky.

I'm lucky that we happened to schedule our Paris trip for the following weekend. I'm lucky that my biggest loss in all this is $80 and a few extra days with my friends who I will see again in a couple months regardless.

I'm lucky to attend a school that was proactive and sure to check on the locations and well-being of all students currently abroad and to update students and families frequently. I'm lucky to live in an age where technology makes that so easy; even Facebook activated a safety feature that allowed people to check in and check for others. I'm lucky not to have lost anyone in the attacks.

But many people were not as lucky. My thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives were lost as well as with those who remain but will never forget. I hope that they can recover and move on.

In the words of Anne Frank: “... in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

 

Being Hungry in Hungary

One of the biggest changes I’ve experienced over the last two months in Budapest has been my eating habits. “Picky eater” is an understatement when describing my diet pre-college. You would likely be shocked if I told you how I limited myself, mostly out of stubbornness.

College helped me to expand my food repertoire some but I still had a long way to go. I didn’t have the push that I needed to really make a difference beyond an isolated meal here and there. That is, until now.

Perhaps it’s being in a foreign country, respecting the culture, or finally caving in to curiosity. Whatever it is, it’s working. Since leaving for my semester abroad I’ve eaten pork, salmon, soups, and more vegetables than ever before.

Salmon breakfast at Centrál Kávéház

The Hungarian diet is not easy for those who don’t eat meat, but it is livable. I had never eaten pork before I came here (and I still don’t plan to eat it more than necessary), but the few times I have had it here I’ve actually enjoyed it! Still, the vegetarians in my group always have alternative options and get by fairly easily.

I’ve had an amazing bagel with smoked salmon, goat cheese, and leafy greens at Café Alibi; fantastic pumpkin cream soup from Leves (which also happens to be the Hungarian word for soup, pronounced “leh-vesh”); and soups, pork, and homemade doughnuts (Hungarian: fánk) in Transylvania.

I have easily eaten more vegetables in the past month than over the last five years combined. Despite difficulties with the stove burners in the common kitchen, I enjoy cooking for myself on occasion and will add a handful of veggies to most of my meals. I’ve grown mildly attached to peppers – especially the white paprika (the vegetable version of the red spice)! Only to be expected in a country known for its production of paprika.

The university dorm is on a street lined with restaurants, among which are some of my favorites so far. Like most cities, I could easily eat out every day that I’m here and not repeat locations.

Some of my favorite simple to-go options include: Wokzilla (Asian food for sit-down or to-go), several gyro places, Ráday Fánkterápia (American donut shop), and Budapest Bagels (which is exactly what it sounds like). My favorite gelato option by far is Gelarto Rosa near St. Stephen’s Basilica (and yes, that is the correct spelling of Gelarto Rosa). What’s better than delicious gelato in the shape of a rose??

For sit-down places, one of my absolute favorites is Púder Bársínház and their chicken dish served with a wheel of goat cheese on top and white rice on the side. I eat there about once a week on average...

Chicken dish at Púder Bárszínház

I’ve also (finally) found a couple of decent Italian restaurants: TG Italiano and Pizza Eataliano are a couple of my reasonably priced favorites so far. I have yet to experience the renowned Comme Chez Soi or the Zeller Bistro, but I’ve heard from others in my group that they are both musts while we’re here.

Of course, there are plenty of traditional Hungarian dishes! Honestly, I’ve only had a few: stuffed cabbage and goulash in Transylvania; langos in Szentendre and in the Budapest Central Markethall; and csirke paprikas (chicken paprikash) from... well, most restaurants.

Langos from Budapest Central Markethall

Dessert is a whole other topic but my favorites restaurants for them so far include: Ruszwurm Cukrászda, Nándori Cukrászda, Café Vian (especially their cocoa crepe with apple cinnamon filling), and Centrál Kávéház. All are great places to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Desserts and hot chocolates at Ruszwurm Cukrászda

Apple pie from Café Vian

Cocoa crepe with apple cinnamon filling from Café Vian

Opera cake and a latte from Centrál Kávéház

Whatever the meal or time of day, there are a ton of food options all over the city. One thing’s for sure: you will not go hungry in Hungary.

Let it Rain, Let it Rain, Let it Rain

Growing up in New England, I have certain expectations from nature during any given season. I’m used to being surrounded by trees and I’m used to those trees displaying brilliant fall foliage before becoming bare. I’m used to colder weather and the possibility of a mid-October dusting of snow.

Hungary, however, does not care about my expectations.

Living in a large city is the first limit to my interaction with nature. Instead of trees, buildings surround me in Pest. These building are examples of some of the most breathtaking architecture I’ve ever experienced firsthand and each with its own story. They breathe life in a different way, but they’re also constant, unchanging.

Pest

Simply walking across a bridge to Buda brings you to a whole different world and you can feel the change in the atmosphere. While still being littered with small shops and restaurants, it’s much more residential and home to most of Budapest’s natural aspects. When I need it, it’s a breath of fresh air!

Just yesterday I walked to Buda on a whim to climb Gellért Hill. The hill is an odd combination of paved pathways and hiker-made dirt paths. The paved paths create a sort of maze of possibilities to get to and from the top on either side. Admittedly, I got a little lost on the way down...

Buda (Gellért Hill on the left, Buda Castle on the right)

It’s nice to have some access to nature where you can get a little lost and forget that you’re in a massive city. Still, this is a far cry from New England autumn (though I may be slightly biased). Here the trees that are not still green are a pale yellow or they skipped right to a crunchy brown.

I was told before coming here that Hungary has more of a rainy season than a winter before January. This should have been my queue to prepare for such, but instead I thought I’d see for myself first. Now I’m not sure why I doubted that.

Rain on Széchenyi Chain Bridge

It’s been raining the majority of this past week, a mix of sprinkles and downpours when we least expect with a touch of wind. In the evenings I find it beautiful with the glistening city lights, but I’d probably enjoy it even more if I had a raincoat (or any coat with a hood for that matter). I just got an umbrella a couple weeks ago and it’s already been put to good use – when I remember to bring it with me, that is.



It’s not what I’m used to but it is more-or-less what I expected for this time of year. I was mentally prepared for different, even if I wasn’t exactly materially prepared to be in it... And I appreciate every drop of rain that falls off my nose when I don’t have my umbrella.

Not Dracula’s Transylvania

This weekend’s CIEE excursion was to the town of Kalotaszentkirály in the region of Transylvania, Romania for three nights. Several students know people who have participated in this program previously who would tell us that it was a very rural village and the trip was tough and exhausting but that we absolutely had to go. And they were right (even if we didn’t get to see Dracula’s castle)!

We got up before the sun on Thursday morning to be at the bus for 6:30 a.m. and prepared for a long journey. The stop at the Romanian border was pleasantly quick considering they had to individually register 26 of us and we were not complaining. From there it was another hour to the Transylvania border.

Once we reached our intended region, we stopped at the Körösfeketetó Fair, the biggest and most famous weeklong fair of the Transylvania region. It was essentially set up like a flea market with a mix of traditional items, authentic antiques, clothes and shoes, and odds and ends. A rain shower surprised us and we hurried us back to the bus for the final leg of the trip as everyone finished shopping.

The village of Kalotaszentkirály was far more modernized than we were led to believe, but it was definitely more rural and closer to the vision many of us had of “Eastern Europe” than what we have found in Hungary. The Transylvania region was a part of Hungary until the Treaty of Trianon in 1920 so, despite being in Romania, most people we encountered spoke Hungarian.

We split into groups to stay with host families in the village, most of whom spoke only Hungarian. It was the ultimate test of what we’ve learned in our language class so far. The host families were incredibly hospitable and we will all miss the home-cooked meals we were treated to throughout the weekend!

Friday we went to the salt mine in Turda (Salina Turda) where we tasted the salt from the ceiling, yelled into the echo chamber, and rode boats in the lake at the bottom. The mine was active from approximately 1075 until closing in 1932.



It reopened in 1992 as a tourist attraction with a sort of amusement park (which is far more profitable than mining salt by hand). The park includes the boat rides, a Ferris wheel, and games such as mini-golf and billiards.



From the mine we decided that the weather was nice enough to follow through with a hike. We went to a mountain that was more like a cliff and climbed our way up (and back down). It was like walking through seasons – we went from sweating and stripping off as many layers as appropriate at the start to freezing and bundling up in the rain at the top.

The views as we climbed were incredible and it felt amazing to reach the top, even though we were in a cloud and could not see a thing. It was a tough hike that took a little over three hours total but everyone agreed that it was worth the effort and exhaustion despite not having a view from the top!

St. Michael Roman Catholic Church

Reformed Presbyterian Church

Saturday we went to Kolozsvár (Cluj in Romanian) where we visited the Reformed Presbyterian Church that (Hungarian) King Matthias gifted to the city in thanks for their help and hospitality towards his mother when she gave birth to him there in 1443. It was a very plain looking church that contrasted greatly against the very ornate Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church we saw next.

After having a little free time in the city, we went back to the village to witness the invitation to the Harvest Ball hosted by the local youth (around 15 to 20 years old). This consisted of the youth in traditional clothing (boys on horses and girls in a carriage singing) and one boy dressed as a “clown” on a donkey yelling out the invitation. He said if you didn't show "may the legs of your bed break" so obviously we had to go.

Before the ball we went to a small market town where we watched a man make chess pieces. We proceeded to spend as much of our Romanian leu as we could to avoid having to exchange the currency again.

That evening we went to the ball, where we watched the youth perform and we danced the night away – first with folk dancing, then more of a club style. I got to dance the last folk dance with one of the locals (who, thankfully, spoke English so he could actually tell me what to do)! It involved a lot of spinning and it was a blast!

We were supposed to make another stop on our way back to Hungary but the rainy weather made it impossible so we headed straight back to Budapest. We were all sad to say goodbye to our host families (and their cooking) but we are all happy to be back in our own beds. It’s home sweet Hungary!

What We’re “Really” Here For

We were able to meet most of the professors within the program during orientation and one of them pointed out a fact that would come to hinder us in this new environment: Americans tend to be painfully visual learners. We like structure and PowerPoint presentations with clearly labeled lessons.

The European teaching style can be less direct and, while PowerPoints are still used, the professors may go off on more tangents than American students are used to. It all connects and makes sense in the end, but it can make note taking much more complicated – especially when you add in the challenge of deciphering an unfamiliar accent.

Another adjustment for me with classes is the concept of a double class, having two 90-minute sessions of the same class back-to-back so that it meets only once a week, usually to accommodate a professor’s schedule. This is nice because you only have to meet once a week, but it can also be exhausting because of the length and many of these are in the evening.

I strongly recommend stopping at a café on the way to one of these classes to properly caffeinate yourself in preparation. Oh, and bring a snack.

It can also be dangerously easy to procrastinate on assignments for classes when you have a whole week to do them. Trust me, it’s not worth it. A week of time can also mean a week’s worth of homework. Don’t get me wrong, the professors for classes in the program understand that most students are travelling and trying to take in the culture by being out and about rather than stuck inside studying all the time – but this is also still college and there is an expectation that your work will be completed.

Professors can also help with that cultural immersion. Many classes include trips, usually brief around the city in lieu of a lecture, but sometimes day trips as well on Fridays, when most people don’t have classes. These help us learn the city in ways we wouldn’t without a local guide and bring us to amazing places we may never have taken the initiative to see on our own.

When you’re living in a beautiful big city that you previously only hoped to visit, it’s easy to forget the reality of your “vacation” – you still have work to do. But it’s work that helps you understand the place you’re in, it’s history, people, and culture. In the end, isn’t that understanding, that immersion what you really came for?

Halls of Corvinus University of Budapest. Who wouldn't want to go to class here?!

A Revolutionary Weekend

This has been a weekend swirling in solemnity and joy in the form of an excursion organized by Pesti Srác (the Kids of Budapest Foundation). The trip was in commemoration of the youth who fought in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the nationwide uprising against Soviet occupation and policies.

Fighting only lasted about three weeks before the Soviet army crushed the rebellion in mid-November. Approximately 3,000 Hungarian civilians were killed. October 23, the day the revolt began, is now solemnly celebrated as a national holiday in Hungary – and joyfully celebrated as my birthday anywhere I am.

Memorial at Kisfogház (Small Prison)

Our excursion began at the statue of Pesti Srác before we visited “Kisfogház” (Small Prison) where many revolutionaries were held until being executed. Kisfogház is still a functioning prison with a separate section for the memorial of the revolution. We also visited a memorial chapel and burial ground in Kiskunmajsa for those who fought.

Kiskunmajsa Memorial Chapel

As part of the overnight trip, we also had plenty of fun in light of these sobering visits. Most of the group, consisting of CIEE and Hungarian students, spent much of Saturday afternoon enjoying the thermal bath offered at our lodging in Lakitelek. The relaxation of the afternoon was in stark contrast to the traditional folk dancing we learned in the evening, providing a good (and unexpected) workout.

Sunday brought us to the National Historical Memorial Park where we were treated to (and tested with) archery with composite bows similar to those used by the original Hungarians. Our shooting skills, on the other hand, were nothing like that of the original Magyars.

There we also watched a horse show demonstrating the use of medieval Hungarian weaponry. Judging by the Hungarians’ laughter, I think it would have been funnier if we had an English translation.

The last event at the park was viewing the cyclorama (panorama painting) “The Arrival of the Magyars.” The painting is 15 meters high and a seamless 120 meters long wrapping a cylindrical room and is one of 40-50 panoramic paintings in the world.

Our final treat was a wine tasting at the Galantai family winery, where we tried four Hungarian wines aside pastries, followed by gelato at Szervánszky Caffee.

It’s safe to say that, despite somber moments and remembrance, everyone was in very high spirits as we boarded the bus for the final leg home – well, our home away from home.

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

6 Degrees of Destinations

There is a theory called "Six Degrees of Separation." It is the theory that everyone is a maximum of six steps, or degrees, (by way of introduction) from anyone else in the world. It makes sense, then, that the same would be true in relation to places that people have been.

One of my hesitations about choosing Budapest was the lack of people from my school who have been there in recent years. Back home, on the other hand, I quickly found several connections to people who have been to the city before.

A friend of a friend, a couple from church, a niece of another friend (who actually went to Corvinus University for her semester)... and the list goes on. Living in small-town southern Maine, I was surprised by the number of connections I made in my own community.

Just today, while walking in Portland, I found that one of the street vendors is a descendant of King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary, the namesake of the school I’ll be attending. (Queue: “It’s a Small World”).

Going through a program, I also have access to an advisor who helps students with questions on paperwork and what to expect from our semester abroad. Through her, I was also able to get in touch with a few people who have already been on the program before I even decided on the location.

This has all come as quite a relief! When I have questions about anything from the safety of an area to the winter climate, I can ask somebody who has experienced it firsthand.

I strongly suggest when planning any time abroad to use these resources! The Internet is a fantastic resource in many ways, but it is also full of contradictions.

My greatest dilemma for a while was whether it was worth trying to pack my winter coat. Online answers about the weather in Budapest ranged from warnings of a “harsh winter” to musings of a “mild winter climate.” Having a fellow Mainer give her opinion made me feel more prepared and better informed.

Knowing that you are speaking to someone with a similar background who has experience in your destination comes with peace of mind. Also, making that call or sending that email is (more often than not) responded to with great enthusiasm and individual focus than you can’t expect to find from just an online forum.

Goodbye (For Now)

We’ve reached the final days before takeoff for my semester abroad and they’ve been full of bittersweet goodbyes. Friends, family, and strangers alike have been incredibly generous with advice and gifts to help me prepare.

In getting ready for the next three and a half months, I’ve learned several things about preparing for a long trip: get your paperwork done early, not just on time; make sure you have any and all necessary documentation with you for your flight; and use your resources! My most valuable resources were those who have been to Budapest through the same or a similar program. Believe it or not, most people are happy to help in any way possible.

As I say goodbye, I’m thinking of the thank-yous and postcards I have to write for all of the wonderful people who have helped me out before I’ve even left the country! To all of you: Köszönöm! And see you in January!

Tribulations Before Trials

Going into this venture, I believed that everything would simply fall into place. I wasn’t entirely wrong. The guidance of CIEE (the program provider) has allowed a primarily smooth road, but some things I found myself barreling into with no regard for the flashing yellow lights, and suddenly I’m on the side of the road wondering if I’ll get a ticket or just a warning.

There are a lot of things to consider when preparing for several months abroad and I’m slowly learning what those things are and how to get it all done in time.

Tribulations

The process of applying for a visa can be a real hassle. Calling a consulate with questions can seem futile. Several automated messages in English may lead to a voice mail in Hungarian (although your email may be responded to promptly - and in English). A weekend trip to NYC with family that knows the area better may prove impossible to coordinate.

Should you ever find yourself needing a visa, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Many consulates have limited times for visa appointments and they fill fast for in-demand countries. A friend that will be studying in France was given the only available date of August 21 (approximately a week before her departure) before a cancellation opened up a slot on July 2, relieving the panic that had already started to surround her.

Trials

Which brings me to another thing: hidden fees. Student discount websites (like StudentUniverse) are fantastic until you need to make a change. Should you need to adjust anything for your flights, you may face fees from the airline as well as the booking website.

Once you have all of your flights figured out, it may be a good idea to have a sort of master list of luggage limitations. While checked bags may typically allow about 50 lbs, carry-on bags for international flights tend to be much more limited (think 17 lbs). These limits also vary between locations and airlines. If you’re using multiple airlines, make a list of the most restricted sizes and weights for each piece (checked bag, carry-on, and personal bag) to easily determine what you need to work around. The idea of wearing your winter coat in August to save baggage space may start to seem like a great idea.
  
It’s always good to be aware of what you are allowed before jumping into a new luggage set for your big adventure. Otherwise you may end up with several pretty but useless pieces.

Despite all of my lists, I was unprepared for change. I did not even check for fees that may come with adjustments when first booking. This alone could easily have made a change in my plans inevitable (very Murphy’s Laws). I am now reminded that things happen and it’s better to be prepared for those changes than blindsided by the fine print.

Before the Beginning

Susquehanna University is about an eight-hour drive from my home in Southern Maine. But it will take more than a car and eight hours to get me to school for the Fall 2015 semester. That’s because I will be spending my next semester in Budapest, Hungary as a part of the Susquehanna GO Program.




A cross-cultural experience is required for all Susquehanna students and many location options are available. As a naturally indecisive person, this availability made my decision rather difficult when it came to applying. There were several things that ended up helping me ultimately choose Budapest.



The Decision

Going into the process of choosing a location I had no idea what I wanted, but I eventually identified some key characteristics that I hoped to get from my experience. 



I wanted to go somewhere that few or no other SU students were likely to apply to isolate myself from familiarity, forcing me to branch out. I wanted to go to a country with a different language to immerse myself and (attempt) to learn some of it while having classes taught in English. And finally, I wanted the comfort of going back to a dorm room at the end of the day.




The Budapest program fit all of these with the bonus of being beautiful European city rich in history.

 

The Goals

Going into this semester, I have several things that I hope to accomplish. I want to shred some of my shyness, to learn some of the Hungarian language, and to immerse myself fully into Hungarian culture and traditions. I want to see the city and its history first-hand through the eyes of locals and professors and to strengthen my independence and ability to handle tough or stressful situations as they come up.




There are many things I want to do and to see and there may be some that I will miss but I hope that you follow me in the planning, learning, exploring, trekking, and reflecting on my semester in Budapest this Fall.