Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

BSM is an excellent program! Past Review

By (MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS., Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/08/2014 to 12/18/2014 with

BSM: Budapest - Budapest Semesters in Mathematics

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot of math and a lot about personal independence. Absolutely one of the best trips I've ever taken.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Food can be extremely cheap in Budapest. I was not very frugal with how much I ate out.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Maybe $80 or so?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook as much as possible!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Hungarian language is exceedingly difficult to learn, so not very practical.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? N/A
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Go to the language school before the start of the semester.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academics
  • Traveling
  • Friends
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing major!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I now know that traveling as much as possible and booking as far in advance as possible is a great idea.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Non-Euclidean Geometries
Course Department: Mathematics
Instructor: Gabor Moussang
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Absolutely fascinating and not too challenging. Gabor is an excellent and well-organized lecturer.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not as far as I'm aware.
Course Name/Rating:

Abstract Algebra
Course Department: Mathematics
Instructor: Aron Bereczsky
Instruction Language: English
Comments: I didn't find the material very interesting, which was really the heart of my problems with the course. The lectures and homeworks were well-put together, and I learned the material fairly well.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not as far as I'm aware.
Course Name/Rating:

Set Theory
Course Department: Mathematics
Instructor: Lajos Soukup
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The course was simply excellent. Some of the most captivating material I've ever learned, and the professor genuinely cared about all of his students.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not as far as I'm aware.