By Petra Kovacs
Blogger
My adventure started when I entered an old hostel with a scary concrete front. I went in to retrieve my room key and got ready to settle in for two weeks. It was pouring rain outside, but I opened my room window anyway and peered out from the sixth floor. I could see the Danube River from my window. I went to see what the floor looked like and who my floor mates were. We had communal sinks and showers, which was interesting in the mornings.
My roommate arrived later that night. She was from Belgium and the next day we ventured out into the city of Budapest to find breakfast. We had breakfast right in front of the school we were about to enter, Corvinus University of Budapest. After breakfast it was time to find our classroom. We were enrolled in a class called “International Trade and Global Economy.” The class was taught by a Hungarian professor, but it was taught in English. There were people from all over the world in our class. I had the chance to meet three people from Ethiopia, four people from Switzerland, three people from China, one person from Denmark, and of course one person from Belgium. It was great doing class projects and having different views of the global economy; it made class discussions very interesting!
Besides going to class, we also went on sightseeing trips or had our own excursions. Budapest is absolutely beautiful! We visited places like the famous Szechenyi Thermal Baths and the gorgeous New York Café. We even made a day trip to the Balaton Lake, and it was a really great time bonding more with our class. Then at night time we explored the crazy European nightlife.
The program was only two weeks long, but I wish it was longer because I had such a great time. Meeting new people, eating great Hungarian food, exploring a city with breathtaking architecture, and learning more in my area of study is something I would gladly do again. Hungary might not be anyone’s first choice, but if you ever have the chance to visit the country, make sure to try the goulash soup!
