Budapest, Hungary

• Contact: Madison Leadley 
• School: Corvinus University 
• Course Equivalencies 

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Background

Considered by many to be one of the hidden treasures of Europe, Budapest is a thriving city of modern bridges, cafés, and markets amid an eclectic mix of architectural styles that reflect the area's unique history. The Danube River splits the city of Budapest into its two halves, Buda and Pest. Buda consists of beautiful sites such as Castle Hill, the Royal Palace, and Old Town, and Pest is the political and economic heart of the city. 

Students will study through the study abroad provider Academic Programs International (API). Learn more about our partnership with API.  Students who choose to study abroad in Budapest will attend classes through the International Study Programs (ISP) department of the Corvinus University.One of the leading universities for economics in Hungary and Central Europe, Corvinus University hosts approximately 17,000 students annually. The International Study Programs department was established in 1990 with the purpose of welcoming international students for study abroad sessions as well as for degree programs. Throughout its history, the ISP has welcomed over 5,000 students from 83 countries. Visiting students can choose from a variety of classes in economics, business, social sciences and public administration. The courses are designed in an American format and taught in English.

Choosing When to Study in Budapest

This is a fall or spring program. The fall term runs late-August until mid-December while the spring term runs from mid-January until early May. The fall group departs together in late August and is home for Christmas break. Spring semester students will depart together in late-January and return in mid-May. There is a two week long spring break in the spring semester.

Academics

• Consult the Office of International Programs as early as possible to get assistance on course selections at Loyola, so that you are prepared for an academic course load in Budapest
• This program serves primarily Business majors, but other majors may apply.
• Some upper level core courses are available
• Must have 1 free elective available to complete the Hungarian language requirement 
• Students will take 5, 3 credit courses 

Disclaimer: In case of strikes or unexpected disruption to the academic semester Loyola will work with the host university abroad to provide additional support or other academic arrangements to enable students to complete their coursework in agreement with the rules and regulations of the host university and the laws of the host country.  Loyola University Maryland will not makes any changes to its course, grade, or credit transfer policies following such circumstances.

Benefits**

• Tuition and room at Corvinus University;
• Orientation on-site with the coordinator;
• Occasional group meals; and
• Planned trips and activities throughout the Hungary and Central Europe with the Loyola coordinator.

**Benefits could be subject to change year to year.

On-Site Support

API provides two on-site coordinators to assist the students with any questions, concerns, illnesses, or other issues while they are in Budapest. Reka Futasz is the resident director, and thus the main point of contact for the students throughout the semester. She is there for support 24/7 in case of emergency. Students will meet her on their first day when they arrive at the airport. Students can seek her for help with questions, advice, or any issues/problems that arise during the semester.

All API students receive orientation information to help them prepare for their study abroad session. API orientations include tours of the orientation city as well as practical information about life in the host city, including transportation, safety and local culture. The orientation is designed to minimize adjustment difficulties upon arrival and gives students a chance to get to know other participants in the program.

Housing

API students in Budapest live in furnished student apartments with other API participants and/or international students. Students can request single rooms on their housing form for an additional fee, although some sites may have guaranteed single rooms as part of the program fee. All apartments are within a 20-30 minute commute from the university via public transportation. Most apartments have two double rooms and one single room, a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living areas. Students are responsible for providing their own meals as these are not included in the program fee.

Loyola students can request one other Loyola student of the same gender to live in their apartment with them. Students will live with other American or International students studying on the API program.

Meals

Students are responsible for their own meals. Students do have access to a refrigerator. Each apartment has its own kitchen equipped with stove tops, oven and freezer. Students can purchase kitchen items and food quite easily from stores in downtown Budapest, which is walking distance from all of the dorms.

Cost

• Students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid, except the federal work-study program. Students studying abroad for a semester will forfeit the value of a federal work-study assignment.
• The cost is equivalent to the tuition, room charge (Ahern), and a reduced comprehensive fee paid to Loyola, plus a program fee each semester.
• Loyola financial aid applies.

Insurance and Health

Medical and life insurance is provided for all students during the program term. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues.

Loyola also requires that each student submits to us a copy of the front and back of their U.S. health insurance card. We also ask for proof of international coverage from the U.S. policy (either a letter from the insurance company or you can print the international policy description from your policy manual online). We are only asking for proof of overseas coverage for Loyola’s liability purposes. Since the Hungarian health insurance is not worldwide, and students are technically allowed to travel outside of the area of coverage, we need to know that your policy will provide a back-up if your student goes outside of the area of coverage. However, if your policy does not have any type of overseas coverage (not even the basic emergency basis), then it will be essential to purchase supplemental insurance.>

Student Visa

Students who are in Hungary for more than 90 days are required to obtain a D-type Single Entry visa or Temporary Residence Permit for their semester in Hungary. Most students will complete the process to obtain a Residence Permit, which happens after arrival in Hungary. In this case, there are not any steps that need to happen prior to departure. Students can also apply for a D-type Single Entry visa prior to departure. We recommend this only for students who live near one of the Hungarian consulates, because it requires a personal appearance at the consulate. Students who get a visa prior to departure still must complete some steps on-site for the Residence Permit, but the process is easier for those who already have a visa. Students who live in or near the following locations are encouraged to secure the visa prior to departure: New York, Los Angeles, or Washington DC. If students do not live near or in these cities, they still have the option to secure a Temporary Residence Permit on-site. Students who do not get a visa prior to departure may be questioned at the airport if the return date is more than 90 days away, since airline regulations will state that a visa is required for stays of more than 90 days. We provide documentation about the Temporary Residence Permit option that students can present to airline officials.

More information on the student visa process

Travel to Budapest

Loyola will arrange group travel to and from Budapest. While we encourage students to stay for the duration of the program, if necessary, students are able to change their return date upon completion of final exams, but it will be at their own cost. Loyola does not pay for any flight deviations or tickets changes at all. If a student wishes to change their ticket, they must contact our travel agent at Frosch Travel, 410-433-9300.

The airline tickets for the group are electronic. The students will receive an email confirmation from our travel agent once ticketing is complete. They should print it out and bring it to the airport just to be safe, but their passport is technically all they need to check in. The group will meet at the Newark Liberty International Airport or JFK International Airport. It is important that everyone is there on time. Once they arrive at the airport, they do not need to wait for the rest of the group to check in. Please make sure your student checks in as soon as they arrive and then proceeds through to security. They should check their bags through to Budapest. If they have a layover, they will receive a boarding pass for the flight to Budapest as well.

Arrival/Contact

The group will arrive in Budapest the day after departure from the USA. After getting their bags, a bus will be there to take them to their apartments.Please remember that Hungary is currently 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. It may be difficult for your students to contact their parents immediately upon arrival. I know that you will be nervous and apprehensive, but please give them time to get their bearings, find a phone card or the Internet, and contact home. The phone system works differently than ours and the Internet may not be set up for them to use on campus right away. Remember that no news is good news! The students are generally very excited and busy adjusting to a new life in their first couple of weeks so contact may be less frequent at first. It would be smart to determine a good time to talk with your student once they know their schedule so that you don’t lose contact.

Communication

Students may bring their smartphones overseas but it is recommended not to purchase an international cell phone plan in the US. Instead, students should purchase a plan when they arrive in Budapest if desired.  Former students have highly recommended using Skype, What’sApp and Viber in order to keep in touch with friends or family back home. The coordinator will help everyone figure out how to buy a cell phone within their first 48 hours in the country.

Money

It good to find out if your current bank has a sister bank in Hungary.  If your bank does have a sister bank, they can use their ATMs and branches to minimize the international fees.  Charles Schwab has been recommended by previous students as well.

Other ATM and debit cards should work in all ATM machines. It is wise to keep your student’s money in their debit account and have them pay with that whenever possible to avoid ATM fees and to get the best exchange rate of the day. This also makes it easy for you to transfer or deposit money into their account for them if necessary.

We have advised students to contact their banks and credit card companies to inform them that they will be out of the country so that their accounts aren’t frozen once international activity occurs. While doing so, they should also check to see what international fees are incurred when using each of their cards i.e. ATM withdrawal fees, currency conversion fees, etc. Also, you should check to see if your student’s bank is partnered with any banks overseas. We also advise that students are aware of the current exchange rate.  

Expenses

Students’ expenses in the Hungary will vary greatly depending on how much they travel, shop and go out at night.  Budapest is a very affordable city and the cost of living is considered low. However, most students will schedule trips over to the European continent as often as they can afford. The range for how much students typically spend is $3,000–$6,000 USD. That is all inclusive of entertainment, traveling, food, shopping, and textbooks. It is a large range, but again, will depend on how much your student travels, drinks and eats in restaurants.

Please keep in mind that study abroad information, dates, benefits, and fees are subject to change without notification. You are encouraged to contact the Office of International Programs directly for the most up-to-date information regarding any study abroad programs offered at Loyola.

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Application Requirements 

• Students must submit an online application and a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the second Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year. 
• All applications, regardless of major, are reviewed equally.
• An in-person interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is also required.

Criteria for Acceptance

• Typically sophomores with a minimum cumulative CQPA average of 2.750.
• Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

Apply to this Program

*Please keep in mind that study abroad information, dates, benefits, and fees are subject to change without notification. You are encouraged to contact the Office of International Programs directly for the most up-to-date information regarding any study abroad programs offered at Loyola.