Experience in Budapest, Hungary by Antoine

What was it like to live in Budapest? Would you recommend it? What's the city like?

At the start, I relied on my preconceptions but I quickly realised that it's completely different to what I expected. It's a beautiful city which is perfect for students and I thoroughly recommend it. It's a very large city with plenty of green spaces, big museums, growing infrastructure and lots of places to amuse yourself wherever. If you go, you won't be disappointed.

What is the student atmosphere like in Budapest?

There's a big party atmosphere here. You need to know that the student nights are Mondays, instead of Thursdays in France, and I'll let you imagine for yourself how the rest of the week goes. Even if some people are a bit indifferent and don't speak any English, the students are the complete opposite. Open to Europe, they tend to study English as a second language and are happy to help the foreign students.

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What is the cost of living in Budapest?

It's very very very.... cheap.

• You can rent a 2 bed apartment for around 250/400 euros a month (per person) in the centre of the city.
• Regarding the nightlife, there are some bars where a pint is around just one euro.
• As for food shopping, you can easily spend around 50 euros a month, that's including brand names.

It's easily one of the cheaper cities, which is perfect for students.

Is it difficult finding accommodation in Budapest? Do you have any good advice?

It's not hard to find somewhere to live, there are plenty of people looking, but there are plenty of places available too. I recommend the 7th District, which is the Oktogon Quarter, it's where you'll find most of the student life. It's also the historic centre of the city, and anywhere near the 6/7 tram lines is worth considering.

On the other hand, I wouldn't advise living on the other side of the Danube river, not because it's not worth visiting, just that it's a bourgeois residential area where older people tend to live.

What's the food like in the city? What are your favourite dishes?

The national food is Goulash (a stew full of vegetables and meat, flavoured with lots of paprika ), but there's lots of other specialities too. There are also some pastries which are worth the walk and some sweets which aren't too bad either.

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Which places are worth a visit in Budapest?

I recommend the Parliament buildings, Margaret Island, Buda Castle, the Fisherman's Bastion, the Heroes' Square, Deak Ferenc square and so many others places.

And for places to eat? Where are your favourite places?

I can't name any particular restaurants, but I remember that towards the Oktogon square, there are plenty of good places to eat. An unusual place to eat is next to the Green Bridge (I can't remember the name), it's a restaurant with interesting decor where everyone writes a single word on a piece of paper and sticks it to the wall (pretty simple idea really).

Where should you go for nights out in Budapest?

I heartily recommend the Szimpla, the Fogazs, Morisson 2 (especially Mondays), Doboz and Romkert.

I also suggest places down streets such as Vacci Utca, Nyugati Palyudvar (Western Station) or even Blaha Luijsa Ter.

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What advice would you give to future Erasmus Students coming to Budapest?

Definitely make the most of the experience without jumping to conclusions and just let yourself enjoy it. It will absolutely be one of the best times of your life!

And a word of advice, find an apartment to share with 2 or 3 others, especially with people you don't know beforehand, it's unlikely you'll live with weird people as they'll probably be in the same boat as you.

My Erasmus motto "Come on, it's Erasmus, you can do it! "