Budapest, Hungary

Nestled along the banks of the majestic Danube River, Budapest stands as a vibrant crossroads of history, culture, and academic excellence, making it a captivating destination for students pursuing international studies. With its rich tapestry of architectural wonders, from the neo-Gothic splendor of the Parliament building to the ornate thermal baths echoing the city's Ottoman past, Budapest offers an immersive backdrop for academic exploration. Renowned for its dynamic fusion of Eastern and Western influences, the city provides an unparalleled setting for students to engage with a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.

Students will study through the study abroad provider Academic Programs International (API). Learn more about our partnership with API.  Students who choose to study abroad in Budapest will attend classes through the International Study Programs (ISP) department of the Corvinus University. Corvinus University of Budapest, renowned for its esteemed academic reputation and vibrant student community, serves as a beacon of learning in the heart of the city. The International Study Programs department was established in 1990 with the purpose of welcoming international students for study abroad sessions as well as for degree programs. Throughout its history, the ISP has welcomed over 5,000 students from eighty-three countries.

With a heritage dating back to 1920, Corvinus University boasts a rich tradition of academic excellence, offering a wide array of programs in fields ranging from business and economics to social sciences and humanities. As one of Hungary's leading universities, Corvinus provides students with access to world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive learning environment conducive to personal and intellectual growth. Visiting students can choose from a variety of classes in economics, business, social sciences, and public administration. The courses are designed in an American format and taught in English.

This is a fall or spring program.

• The fall term runs late-August until mid-December. The fall group departs together in late August and is home for Christmas break.
• The spring term runs from mid-January until early May.  Spring semester students will depart together in late-January and return in mid-May. There is a two week long spring break in the spring semester.

Consult the Office of International Programs as early as possible to get assistance on course selections at Loyola, so that you are prepared for an academic course load in Budapest

• This program serves primarily Business majors, but other majors may apply.
• Some upper level core courses are available
• Must have 1 free elective available to complete the Hungarian language requirement 
• Students will take 5, 3 credit courses 

*All grades from abroad are transferred and calculated into your Loyola GPA; no courses can be taken as pass/fail

• Tuition and room at Corvinus University.
• Orientation on-site with a local Resident Director/Coordinator.
• Occasional group meals.
• Planned trips and activities throughout the Hungary and Central Europe with the Local coordinator.

**Benefits could be subject to change year to year.

API provides two on-site coordinators to assist the students with any questions, concerns, illnesses, or other issues while they are in Budapest. Gitta Pestalits is the Resident Director, and thus the main point of contact for the students throughout the semester. She is there for support 24/7 in case of emergency. Students will meet her on their first day when they arrive at the airport. Students can seek her for help with questions, advice, or any issues/problems that arise during the semester as well as with Maria Pestalits.

All API students receive orientation information to help them prepare for their study abroad session. API orientations include tours of the orientation city as well as practical information about life in the host city, including transportation, safety and local culture. The orientation is designed to minimize adjustment difficulties upon arrival and gives students a chance to get to know other participants in the program.

Students will experience a similar class setting to Loyola (small seminar-style classes). However, students must be prepared for a more independent semester and typically grades consist of a midterm and final exam only. Most classes take place in the classrooms. Class sizes vary from fifteen students and above. Nearly all courses are conducted in English.

Students must take Into to Hungarian Language as a required course.

API students in Budapest live in furnished private studios. All apartments are within a 25-minute walk from the university. The studio rooms include one twin sized bed, a private ensuite bathroom, desk, safe, twin sized bed, wardrobe/closet. Students are responsible for providing their own meals as board is not included in the program fee. Facilities in the building include community kitchen, community laundry (pay per load), pool (available based on time of year), rooftop deck, study room.

Loyola financial aid applies and students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid except the Federal Work Study Program. Students studying abroad for either a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study assignment for the semester/s that they go abroad. If the student qualifies for federal work study, they can use the award for the semester they are on campus during their abroad year.

If you receive GI/Veterans benefits, please contact our Registrar’s office as soon as possible before you apply!!

Students/parents pay to Loyola the following charges:

• Loyola Tuition
• Loyola Housing
• Study Abroad Program fee
• International Insurance Premium

Meals:

• Students are responsible for their own meals. Students do have access to a refrigerator. Each student housing building has community kitchens equipped with stove tops, ovens, and freezers. Students can purchase kitchen items and food quite easily from stores in downtown Budapest, which is all within walking distance from the housing centers.

Expenses:

• Students’ expenses in the Hungary will vary depending on how much they travel, shop, and go out at night. Budapest is a very affordable city, and the cost of living is considered low. However, most students will schedule trips over to the European continent as often as they can afford. The range for how much students typically spends is $3,000–$6,000 USD. That is all inclusive of entertainment, traveling, food, shopping, and textbooks. It is a broad range, but again, will depend on how much one travels, drinks, and eats out.

Medical insurance is provided for all students during the program term by both Loyola University Maryland (Chubb Insurance) and API (CISI Insurance). These insurance coverages include medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues. Both insurances function as a primary insurance while abroad.

Students are required to submit a copy of their U.S. health insurance card/policy. Please be sure not to cancel your US insurance policy while abroad since the provided insurances only function while on program and outside of the US.

It good to find out if your current bank has a partner bank in Hungary. If your bank does have a partner bank, they can use their ATMs and branches to minimize the international fees. 

We have advised students to contact their banks and credit card companies to inform them that they will be out of the country so that their accounts are not frozen once international activity occurs. While doing so, they should also check to see what international fees are incurred when using each of their cards i.e. ATM withdrawal fees, currency conversion fees, etc. We also advise that students are aware of the current exchange rate. If using a credit card, check to see if they have foreign transaction fees as this has the potential to save you money in the long run if you’re a frequent card user.

Students have two options in preparations to stay in Hungary for the entirety of their trip. They could obtain a Type -D Student Visa from going in person to one of the Hungarian Consulates; this is the recommended method for students to take. Or they can forgo obtaining a student visa and solely get a temporary residency permit when they arrive in Hungary. If the student decides to go with the residency card option, then they should be aware that after 90 days of arrival, they would not be allowed to go anywhere else within the Schengen area except for Hungary and they must leave when the permit expires. The same does not apply to those students who obtain a Visa. After the Visa expires then United States citizens will still have up to ninety additional days to travel throughout the other Schengen countries as tourists. More information can be found at Apiabroad.com.

Departure

Loyola will arrange group travel to and from Budapest. While we encourage students to stay for the duration of the program, if necessary, students can change their return date upon completion of final exams, but it would be at their own cost. Loyola does not pay for any flight deviations or tickets changes.

The airline tickets for the group are electronic. The students will receive an email confirmation from our travel agent once ticketing is complete. They should print it out and bring it to the airport just to be safe, but their passport is technically all they need to check in. The group will depart from either Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in NYC. It is important that everyone is there on time. Once they arrive at the airport, they do not need to wait for the rest of the group to check in. Please make sure your student checks in as soon as they arrive and then proceeds through to security. They should check their bags through to Budapest.

Arrival/Contact

The group will arrive in Budapest the day after departure from the USA. After getting their bags, a bus will be there to take them to their apartments. Please remember that Hungary is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. It may be difficult for your students to contact their loved ones immediately upon arrival.

Application Requirements 

Students must submit an online application AND a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year. 

• Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session.
• Declare a major before applying to the study abroad program.
• Discuss with your major advisor the possible courses you could take abroad and see if there are any potential problems, he/she sees with your plans to study abroad; Students cannot be on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

Criteria for Acceptance

• Minimum cumulative CQPA average of 2.750.
• Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.
• ROTC candidates can apply as freshman to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year. 
• An academic interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is required.