STUDENT REPORT
Student Report
Name of the University: Corvinus University of Budapest
Exchange semester: Fall / Spring, 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
- When and how did you receive information from the exchange university, and did you
encounter any difficulties?
I received information from Corvinus in good time before departure. The information
was clear and easy understandable. The only difficulty I faced at this stage was the
selection-process of courses, since it was a “first come, first served” system. Just be
aware that you need to have a plan about which course you want in good time before
the process starts, and be ready at time when the courses opens for registration!
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
- How did you apply for your visa, what did it cost and did you have difficulties?
I did not apply for any visa, since we had a 3 months period with no need for visa. I
also went abroad, and when I returned, the 3 months period starts all over again.
Travel
- How did you travel to your destination?
By airplane. Bergen-Copenhagen-Budapest.
Housing
- Was housing provided by the university? If not, did you receive support from the
school?
No it was not provided by the university. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to
not find any accomandation in Budapest. The easiest way is to join the Erasmus
(ESN) facebook page for Budapest. Tip: Do not live with other Norwegians, try to
explore your cultural knowledge and challenge your social skills by living together
with people from all over the world. And also: who wants to speak (almost) only
Norwegian while you have the opportunity to improve your English skills a lot?
I lived with 2 koreans and 1 french, and had an amazing semester together!
Costs
- Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food,
transportation, and other personal expenses?
STUDENT REPORT
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
NOK
NOK
NOK
NOK
NOK
2200, including everything (gas, internet…)
0, I printed the books from the university
1200, depends how much you cook yourself.
110, per month.
+/- 2000
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
I did not. Everyone spoke understandable English, so it was no problem.
-
How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
They were really available! When you are living in Budapest (the hearth of Europe),
you have alooot of possibilities to travel both within the country and abroad. This was
maybe on of the main reasons for me choosing Budapest, which resulted in many
memorizing trips…
The ERASMUS student organization (ESN Corvinus) also arranges many cool
events/parties and trips.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
- The school (location, size, study structure, special academic areas etc.)
The school contains of 2 large buildings in the city center of Budapest, the old and the
new building. The new building is brand new, and can be compared with BI’s faculties in
Oslo and Bergen. The old building is very beautiful, but with older technology than the
new building. Im not sure of the exact numbers of students, but there is a lot.
The study structure contains of constantly assignments, homework, team-projects, midterm and final exams. There is a lot of work to do, but the level is a bit easier (in the
courses I chosen).
Course registration
- When and how did you register for courses?
2-3 moths before arrival through the internet (Neptun). Be ready to registrer in good time
before the registration starts!
-
When did the add/drop period end?
Two weeks into the semester.
Academic calendar
STUDENT REPORT
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
24 August
1 September
11 December
15-19 December
Arrival
- Describe the introduction week
It is very important to arrive minimum one week before the classes starts. This is the time
for the “Hostel-week” (fadderuke) were you meet new people and friends you are
studying with in the upcoming semester.
The International Office
- As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
They were very helpful with everything.
Promoting BI and Norway
- What kind of activities were you involved in to promote exchange to Norway at your
exchange university?
I did not participate. It was not a big event.
Social activities
- How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange students?
The natives are a bit shy (like Norwegians), but most of them very kind and helpful.
-
Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for exchange
students?
ESN Corvinus (Erasmus Student Network) arranges many cool gatherings through the
semester.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
- Describe the teaching style (practical, theoretical, cases/lectures, formal/informal etc.)
The style is classroom teaching in classes with 20-50 students. Mostly informal, both lectures
and seminars.
-
How is the level and workload compared to that at BI?
Since we had compolsury homework and assignments, the workload is more spread over the
semester than at BI.
STUDENT REPORT
Course materials
- Describe the course materials used (books/literature, online articles, Powerpoint, level
of course material etc).
I printed the books from the library, and followed the slides uploaded on Moodle (Hungarian
It’s Learning).
Exams
- Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
Both
-
How was the course evaluated (include all that apply)?
o Final exam (include form: written, oral, home assignment, presentation, etc.) in
all courses (exept Chinese Companies and Business Structure)
o Mid-term exam in all courses (exept Chinese Companies and Business
Structure)
o In-class quizzes throughout semester in some courses.
o Small assignments and/or papers in mostly of the courses.
o Presentations in all courses in all courses.
o Group work in all courses.
o Class attendance in all courses.
o Class participation/debates in all courses.
o Activities outside of the classroom in some courses.
Library and technology
- Describe the facilities¨
Very good library (brand new).
STUDENT REPORT
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Exam form
Decision Techniques
(293NOPRK212B)
Bachelor
Written
Prer Approved as
equis
ites
None Compulsory
Personality Types and
Team Dynamics
(293NPSYV311B)
Bachelor
Written
None
Elective
Corporate Finance
(293NFINK351B)
Bachelor
Written
None
Compulsory
Chinese Companies:
Business Strategy
(293NBUSV524BM)
Bachelor
Project
presentation
None
Elective
Introduction to
International Business
(293NMANK488B)
Bachelor
Written
None
Elective
Comments
Very interesting
course with a great
teacher.
Challanging, but
really
reccomended!
Interesting course
with a very good
teacher. More a
social course than
a financial. A very
interesting project
during this course.
Great and very
easy understanding
teacher. Quiet easy,
since it was a lot of
repeticion from
what we already
have learnt at BI.
There is on the
other hand quiet a
lot of work in this
course.
A really different
and interesting
course with a very
great teacher. I
really reccomend
this coure to
everyone! There is
also no exams, only
a presentation.
Interesting course,
but a lot of work.
Ok teacher.
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
I really recommend everyone to study at Corvinus university of Budapest. When looking
back, I can’t find any location or university that would have been better! It is cheap, very
good located for travelling abroad, good school (best business school in Hungary), great
people, multicultural environment, a lot of things to do… It’s just the best place for an
Erasmus semester!