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.

Fe(a)stivals

When going abroad, it’s good to open your mind to try something (or a lot of things) new. I’m talking about food. Between a wine festival at Buda Castle, a renaissance feast hosted by CIEE, and a sweets festival at Buda Castle, this past week has been stuffed to the brim with glorious Hungarian food and wine.

Until last weekend, I didn’t know the first thing about how wine festivals work. My roommate and I were lucky enough to be with my tandem partner (a Hungarian student that CIEE paired us with to help make friends and get acclimated) who translated when a magazine worker offered us discounted tickets. Yes, they were legitimate and much appreciated.

People enjoying wine and the view from the wine festival at Buda Castle

We entered the 24th Annual Budapest Wine Festival with wide eyes and sparkling new glasses that served a dual purpose as souvenirs. The terrace was lined with huts for the more than 200 local and international vendors. Once we were on the terrace of Buda Castle it became a matter of watching and learning.

Eventually we approached a vendor and tried some wine we recognized as distinctively Hungarian, which we then brought over to the cheese vendor who helped us find the perfect pairings. We got the hang of it and found more pairings of wines and desserts before making our way back to the dorm.

Here’s where I remind you what your mother said before you boarded the plane: pace yourself, know your limit, and drink lots of water. It may be fun to be legal, but nobody’s having fun if you don’t make it to the trash bin.

Of course we wore the crowns

As a part of an excursion, our CIEE advisors brought us for a renaissance feast in Visegrád. I typically eat only chicken and turkey for meats so this meal was definitely going out of my comfort zone – and it was awesome.

The three-course meal started with venison soup with potato dumplings. The King Sigismund platter served as the main course and consisted of a larded turkey leg baked in whole, marinated pork ribs, and potatoes with cheese, plus cabbage boiled in apple and red wine. This was followed with the Knight’s Cup for dessert: fruits, sponge cake with cinnamon cream, chocolate sauce, chestnut cream, and a chocolate deer horn. It was all summed up with a nice cup of espresso.

Finally, I got to enjoy Édes Napok (Sweet Days), one of Europe’s biggest chocolate and candy festivals this weekend! With a set-up on the terrace of Buda Castle similar to that of the wine festival, huts lined the sides with chocolate, candy, and caffeine from all over Europe.

We started with a chocolate and fruit cup before getting some mysterious chocolates from the Csokiss stand (Hungarian “csokoládé”/“csoki” = English “chocolate”/“choc.”), where what made them mysterious was that all of the labels were in Hungarian. I still have no idea what they were other than delicious.

Chocolates from Csokiss

An added bonus of the festival was the ability to get a wonderful piece of cake to celebrate my sister’s birthday from the other side of the world. She didn’t get to eat any but I’m sure she appreciated the thought.

There’s always something to celebrate in Hungary, even if it’s just having the opportunity to be here!

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.