Erasmus Experience in Budapest, Hungary by Ana

Why did you choose to go to Budapest, Hungary?

I was offered this destination by my sending institution for an Erasmus Internship and I accepted.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I have been two months in Budapest. I received an Erasmus Plus scholarship of 650 eur/month.

What is the student lifestyle like in Budapest?

It's very good. There are lot of international students and you can make new friends and have a great social life. There are many oportunities for learning and enjoying after the daily duties.

You can also do a lot of tourism, not only in the city (that is very interesting), because the country situation is very good and is easy and cheap to travel to Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Romania,... So you never get bored because there is so much to see and to visit.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Budapest to other students?

I have not been in University because I was doing an FP Internship (Secondary Studies-practicum), but I recommend the city, specially in summer, because there are more opportunities to enjoy the city. The winter is hard because of the low temperatures.

What is the food like?

I didn't like the local/traditional food very much because I am used to Spanish and Mediterranean menus, but you can easily find any ingredient and cook yourself or you can try other food: you find Turkish, Greek or Italian restaurants at any corner. And there are plenty of MCdonald's, KFC and Pizza shops everywhere.

On the contrary, the Hungarian typical desserts are varied and very good. I recommend to taste the popular Chimney Cake.

Source

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Budapest?

No, because the receiving organization where I did my internship helped me and found an apartment.

How much does it cost to live in Budapest?

It's cheaper than in Spain, so I think is one of the cheapest countries in Europe to live in. Only the apartment was expensive because it was very good located and in summer the prices rise because of the tourism.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

The Hungarian is very difficult to understand. I had not idea and could only learn vocabulary for daily life. I don't know anything about the language courses at the Uni. I guess there are.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Budapest from your city?

From Spain, by plane. The cheapest companies are Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Budapest?

There is a wide offer of discos and pubs but I recommend to go to the "ruin pubs". There are many in the city. The most popular is called "Zsimpla Kern".

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Budapest?

No, because I used to cook or take some fast food.

Source

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Many:

• Buda Castle
• Buda Laberynth-night visit
• Parliament
• St. Stephen's Basilica
• Opera
• Central Market
• Hero's Square
• Vajdahunyad Castle (the close lake is transformed in a big ice skating area in winter)
• Margaret Island (Musical fountain)
• The bridges over Danube (specially Széchenyi Lunched)
• Taking a ship for a night cruise along Danube
• Visit some of the thermal baths (the biggest is Széchenyi and the most famous is Geller)
• Andrássy Avenue (restaurants)
• Vaci Street (shops and souvenirs).

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Budapest in the future?

The local currency is HUF (Hungarian Florin). It's better to pay in Florins, not in Euros. You can change in many currency exchange offices. Some of them apply commissions, so ask before changing.