I involved my permanent partner company, ecoprotec GmbH, in the organization right from the start. As the 4th semester in Budapest is completed in the period from September to January, I had to agree with my partner company that I would swap the 5th practical quarter with the 4th university quarter. This meant that the practical quarter was postponed to the middle of the year and the university quarter to the end of the year. The switch went smoothly for both the FHDW and ecoprotec. My partner company was very accommodating and made the organization easier for me.

For almost all subjects in Germany, a comparable subject could be found in Hungary. So I only had to complete the subject of distribution law in Germany. You have to register for the subjects in Hungary before you start your trip. Please note that places are limited and that it is important to register for courses quickly. Contact with METU was not always smooth, but all important information was communicated in good time.

As Hungary is a member of the EU, you do not need a visa and only a valid identity card is required to enter the country. It is generally advisable to have international health insurance that covers all costs incurred in Hungary. Personally, I was insured via my credit card and my German health insurance company.

The quickest way to reach Budapest is by plane from Dortmund and Hanover. The Hungarian airline WizzAir flies these connections several times a week and membership of the airline’s discount club is particularly worthwhile if you have several flights with WizzAir. The city center of Budapest can be reached by bus line 100E within 20 minutes for the equivalent of three euros.

Finding accommodation in Budapest can be very time-consuming. However, there are many Facebook groups in which apartments or rooms are advertised by private individuals or students. Many placement agencies have also become aware of Erasmus students and place apartments or rooms with foreign students.

In general, the agencies are more expensive than the Facebook ads, but offer the corresponding security that the apartment really exists. However, the majority of Facebook advertisements are also true. In Budapest, we recommend districts 5, 6, 7 or 8, which are all on the Pest side. The prices for a shared room vary between 250 and 350 euros, depending on the district. I myself found my shared room via Facebook and was very happy with both the room and the apartment as well as the location in the 7th district.

Budapest Metropolitan University, METU for short, is a private university in Budapest. Almost 6,000 students study here in the fields of media, art and business. METU’s main campus is located just outside the city center and can be reached by metro in just under 20 minutes. Other smaller campuses for Media and Art are located in the city center. I myself had all my lectures at the main campus, which is modernly equipped and also has a reasonably priced canteen.

METU organizes an introductory event for new students with games to get to know each other, a barbecue and a boat trip on the Danube. When you register at the university, you will receive a presentation with all the important information about events, insurance, procedures, etc.

The lectures at METU were held in English and offered time for discussions and questions, especially in small courses. A lecture lasts around 80 minutes and due to the limited time, I only had lectures at the university three times a week. The courses usually end with a test at the end of the semester abroad. The tests consist of a mix of multiple-choice and open questions.

Budapest is a very international capital city. The local people are helpful and hospitable. In addition, many locals in Budapest speak good English, which makes communication easier.

The first few days in Budapest were very varied. On the one hand, the lectures at the METU started, on the other hand, there was a lot to do and the city to explore. Budapest offers many sightseeing hotspots, cultural events and a large bar and club scene. To explore the city, it is particularly worth making your way up to the citadel, from where you have a wonderful view over the entire city.

I particularly enjoyed the nightlife in Budapest. The prices for drinks are very low compared to us (beer: 50 cents to 2 euros) and you get a lot on offer. The ruin bars in the heart of the city are a particularly popular meeting place for students. Personally, I particularly liked the ruin bar Szimpla Kert, Club Morrisons 2 (a must for Erasmus students, especially on Mondays!), Club Ötkert and the 360-Grad-Bar.

Public transportation in Budapest is very good. You can get a monthly ticket for just under 12 euros with a student card. In addition to the metro, streetcar and buses, the ticket also allows you to use a ferry across the Danube. The train connections to surrounding cities are also good and a trip to the Slovakian border costs just under three euros.

The cost of living in Hungary is generally lower than in Germany. Toiletries and fruit cost about the same as in Germany. Other foods are generally cheaper and restaurants are also cheaper.

I didn’t open a bank account for my time abroad. I withdrew money with my German credit card, which has a slightly lower exchange rate. It is best to exchange euros directly into forints in one of the many exchange offices, as the exchange rate is higher there.

Budapest’s central location in Eastern Europe makes it ideal for exploring the surrounding countries and their capitals. There are many offers from organizations such as “Erasmus Life Budapest (ELB)”. However, we organized our excursions ourselves and set off on various road trips in a rental car: to Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, Croatia and Romania. A real insider tip here is Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia – a very small but beautiful city.