Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Experience July 25, 2026

By (Mathematics, Statistics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/02/2026 to 05/14/2026 with

BSM: Budapest - Budapest Semesters in Mathematics

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was more than worthwhile - I had an incredible time, and I now know that I'd like to live in Europe again in the future.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses are intense and rigorous but most professors are eager to help and answer questions, and you will learn a lot.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Admin was always very nice and eager to help and answer questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartments themselves were very nice and most of my friends had great situations, but unfortunately our landlady was not great.

* Food:

Food is not provided, but Budapest has lots of good food and coffee shops and everything is cheap compared to the US.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I highly recommend the optional Babilon language course before the program starts in order to learn basic Hungarian and a bit about the culture and history. I wish I had taken a language or culture course during the prorgram as well, as I know those who did felt more integrated and were able to take more from being in Budapest. Even without this, however, our professors and administrators were happy to talk about the country, its history, and politics, and it was incredible to be in Budapest during the historic moment of the April 2026 election.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Budapest always felt very safe in most areas, even late at night.

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

I loved living in Budapest, and I learned so much from the program.

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)

Budapest is an extremely affordable city, with transportation being excellent and costing practically nothing with the student discount and food being good and way cheaper than in the U.S. or most other countries.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Perhaps $80 to $100 dollars a week including eating out, groceries, travel, and entertainment.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The community with other students
  • Being in Budapest
  • Maths offerings
* What could be improved?
  • Landlady was cruel
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had taken a Hungarian language or culture course instead of one of my four math courses - I think that would have been a better balance and allowed me to take more advantage of being in Budapest.

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!