Pros and cons of studying in Hungarian colleges
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For students looking to gain international experience during their study in Hungary, this country is a choice to consider. The country is landlocked, has around 10 million citizens, and is a member of the European Union. Budapest is the capital and largest city and it’s home to many fascinating sights and scenes, many of which attract tourists as well as students.
Budapest is home to some of the largest and most prestigious universities in Hungary, such as the Eötvös Loránd University, which boasts Nobel Prize winning alumni, dedicated staff and excellent college essay writing service practitioners.
The pro and cons of studying abroad differ depending on the nation in question.
Hungary’s capital, Budapest, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site that has seen history made within it’s walls. Students choosing a Budapest-based university will be surrounded by centuries of human endeavour.
Another pro regarding Hungarian college education is the language requirements.
While Hungarian, known as Magyar, is regarded as one of the more difficult languages to master, many courses in the country are taught exclusively in English or German.
When it comes to league tables, the country doesn’t do exceedingly well, ranking in the middle of the tables in general. However, study in Hungary does have a long established tradition, with some of the oldest universities in Hungary competing for the title of the oldest universities in the world. The University of Pécs was founded in 1367 and is still providing education today. An even older university, Veszprém, was destroyed in 1276 and never rebuilt. Such strong lineage demonstrates the Hungarian dedication to education.
The choice to study in Hungary is also popular with EU and non-EU students.
The cost is very accommodating, fees differ depending on courses, with dentistry and medicine costing around 8000 euros per year, engineering around 5000 euros per year, and other courses coming in around 2500 euros per year.
While the education is not free, these fees are amongst some of the lowest in Europe and represent excellent value for money when taken with the low living costs. In Budapest it is possible to live on 600 euros per month including rent. Which may stagger some international readers currently paying more than on their accommodation alone. Is study abroad worth it? At these prices, definitely.
Another fantastic draw for international students is the Stipendium Hungaricum. That’s Latin for the Hungarian Scholarship, and it also means that some 5,000 students receive funds or coverage of their tuition fees, medical insurance, housing costs, and even a stipend to live off. Applications usually need to be submitted by the middle of January for studies that start in September.
Applications for the Stipendium need a lot of documents, data, and a studying abroad essay detailing what it is that you and Hungary can benefit from by your choice of studies.
Hungary is a very modern and safe country. Located in the middle of Europe, students are handily placed to visit all kinds of places. Seven countries border Hungary. Austria and Slovenia to the west, Slovakia to the north, Romanian and Ukraine to the east, and Croatia and Serbia to the south. Rail travel opens up the whole of the European mainland and can even take you to Turkey, Russia, and across the Med to North Africa.
There are also some niggly cons to consider in terms of study in Hungary; while renting is cheap, the cost of repairs usually falls on the tenant. Yes, that’s right, if the washing machine breaks on your watch, it’s your duty to get it sorted. These kinds of repair jobs can seem like a foreign language even on home soil, so make sure you pal up with some locals who can help when the toilet breaks down.
Utility bills are also more expensive than many will be used to, part of this cost relates to the architecture of the country.
As gorgeous as they look, many buildings in Budapest are old and really suffer in the cold. Costs could creep up faster than usual if you want to avoid freezing to your floor.
Healthcare is another hurdle to recognize, as many hospital staff do not speak English. Make sure your insurance covers the cost of a translator, as the hospital provided one’s may not be available.
All in all, Hungary is a fantastic destination for college students.
It has low living costs, fantastic culture, and it is in the heart of Europe. There are some drawbacks you should consider too, but on the background of all possible pros, these cons can be easily solved and even become too close for you to get rid of eventually.
Amanda Dudley is a writer, lecturer and educator from the US. She holds a PhD in History from Stanford University and is currently lecturing on American History, as well as writing for EssayUSA where she aids students in their exams, assignments, and essays.