Erasmus Experience in Budapest, Hungary by Pedro

Why did you choose to go to Budapest, Hungary?

The main reason that I chosed Hungary is because it's cheap. After that I choose it because many of my friends that have been there told me how beautiful Budapest is. Moreover I wanted to live far away from Portugal.

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

The scholarship lasts about three momths, from september until December. I didn't get any help on my living cost because my University is private and, well, they only give money to those who earn it, even if the money comes from European funds....

What is the student lifestyle like in Budapest?

The night life is very active in Budapest, so basically, students go out almost everyday of the week, even if it's only to be in a bar few hours.

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

Yes, for sure!

What is the food like?

In Budapest they eat a lot of junk food, a lot of juices and fries. Here, the most typical dishes use Paprika (like chicken paprika) and soups always have some meat in. I actually enjoyed their dishes, but I am used to portuguese food so we can't still compare.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Budapest?

My flatmates and I used Internet to find it, so no.

How much does it cost to live in Budapest?

The food is actually more expensive in the shops than we expected, so I would say about 100-150 per months if you include food, parties and the bills (water, energy, etc).

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

Hungarian is the most difficult language that I have ever come across. Because it's a mix between Finnish and Estonian. It's not even close to Russian! Nowadays I get the basics but it's still hard to pronounce. Yes in my University, there are some Hungarian classes for those who are interested.

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

It depends of the days but the must place of Budapest (due to their typical arquitectural bars/clubs named ruinpubs) are : Morrison's 2, Fogas Ház and Szimpla.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

You can't miss the Parliament, the Hero Squares, the Citadella and the Basilica.

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

One thing about the water bottles. In the mall the water bottles are all in the same place. For those who, like me, doesn't like the sparkling water here is the type : If the stopper of the bottle is pink, it's the still water, if it's blue, it's sparkling water, if it's green, it's a mix between both, if it's a little bit more red/yellow or another colour, it has fruit taste.