Student Report
Name of the University: Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem/ Corvinus University of Budapest
Exchange semester: Spring, 2013
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 a mail from Corvinus in March. No problems with what so ever.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
- How did you apply for your visa, what did it cost and did you have difficulties?
Corvinus sent me an email about paper works etc. you have to bring with you to the
immigration office. You only have to pay 1000 HUFs for fee stamps, and the
procedure is easy, but to get all the papers signed by Corvinus takes some time though.
But you have 90 days to register with all the papers at the immigration office.
Travel
- How did you travel to your destination?
Took Norwegian from Gardermoen to Budapest. From Budapest you can take the
Airport Shuttle (Taxi) for approx. NOK 100-150 anywhere in the city center.
Housing
- Was housing provided by the university? If not, did you receive support from the
school?
Not at all, but I did my own research through Facebook groups related to Erasmus and
ANSA, and by Google. It is almost impossible to not get accommodated in Budapest!
Costs
- Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food,
transportation, and other personal expenses?
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
NOK 2600
NOK 0
NOK 800
NOK 100
NOK 500
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
Everyone at the school, even the students, speaks English, and there were no language
barriers.
-
How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
The orientation week and the ERASMUS organization at school offers a lot of
activities regarding the Hungarian culture and trips to the country side and even to
Poland and the Czech Rep.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
- The school consists of 3 large buildings in a very central place which is really easily
accessible with public transportation.
Course registration
- When and how did you register for courses?
Through Neptune on 6th of June 8:00. Be sure to login at 7:50 and refresh as thousands
register at the same time, and the courses fills up in a matter of seconds.
-
When did the add/drop period end?
15th of September
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
22. August
09. September
12. December
16-20. December
23. October – National holiday
Arrival
- Describe the introduction week
The orientation week offered toured guides in Budapest, and a lot of activities and
parties to get to know Hungary, Budapest and the other international students. On the
weekend there was a trip to lake Balaton where you could get more insight on on the
culture and exclusive tourist attractions and activities.
The International Office
- As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
You get mail and information in time from the international office, whom are very
helpful if you need them.
Promoting BI and Norway
- What kind of activities were you involved in to promote exchange to Norway at your
exchange university?
- There was an international flag party, but I wouldn’t say that anyone promoted their
own country. I also felt like nationality did not mathered, so no one cared.
Social activities
- How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange
students?
Very good, they weren’t hostile at all, especially since some of them takes their
classes in English with the international students
-
Are there any special activities, student organisations, and gatherings for
exchange students?
The students formed a lot of groups on Facebook regarding different activities etc. and
the ERASMUS group works more or less as a student organisation, who also makes
most of the events. You get a program sheet at the beginning of the semester where
you have an event plan for the whole semester.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
- Describe the teaching style (practical, theoretical, cases/lectures, formal/informal
etc.)
You have seminar classes (practical, up to 25-30 students per class) and lecture classes
(theoretical, 50+ students per class).
- How is the level and workload compared to that at BI?
I would say that there is much more to do, in terms of homeworks and assignments,
but the level is easier.
Course materials
- Describe the course materials used (books/literature, online articles, Powerpoint,
level of course material etc).
I only used the Powerpoints slides from the teachers, and Googleing some materials.
Exams
- Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
It was, but in the syllabus there was listed som books you had to read. It is individual
of you do it or not.
-
How was the course evaluated (include all that apply)?
o Final exam
o Mid-term exam
o In-class quizzes throughout semester
o Small assignments and/or papers
o Presentations
o Group work
o Class attendance
o Class participation/debates
Library and technology
- Describe the facilities
The library worked exactly as it does on BI, but you cannot bring your bag and jacket
inside. The campus consists of 3 buildings where the new building (C) was where I
had most of my classes, the salt house – where you have IT courses, and the old
building (E) – where you could find all the offices for the administration.
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
Prerequisites
2-hour written
exam
None
Approved
as
Elective
Decision Techniques
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
Web Development
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
International
Relations: 1945 –
present
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
Hungarian for
beginners 1
Bachelor
2-hour written
exam
None
Elective
Tourism Management
& Marketing
Comments
Interesting
course with
an insight
on tourism
mgmt.. and
marketing
working
together
A strategic
and the
course I
learned
most of. A
very
practical
course.
Very
interesting
to learn
how to
create a
website
Slow
speaking
teacher,
and a bit
booring
course for a
marketing
student!
Good
teacher,
and good
class
atmosphere
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
- A PERFECT semester, where you were able to learn about a very
different culture compared to Norway, widen your social network, and at
the same time get academically richer