International Relations Study Abroad Programs in Budapest, Hungary

I had a fantastic time on my semester abroad in Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade. Based in Vienna, the program took us deep into the heart of European politics, democracy, and diplomatic institutions. Through excellent guest lecturers and site visits, we were introduced to the complexity of Europe. Vienna is a hub of international happenings and a city soaked in history, art, and culture. Staying with a host family was an amazing opportunity to get local knowledge and practice cross-cultural skills. From Vienna, we traveled to Budapest and Belgrade. Through cultural outings, academic discussions, and political events, our knowledge was challenged, changed, and cultivated during the excursions. During the ISP period, I was able to dive deep into the politics of Vienna by exploring the democratic implications of it's excellent public space infrastructure. For anyone interested in international relations, European politics, diplomacy, or democracy, I would highly recommend the program.

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Hungary during the fall of 2023. It was an experience that truly enriched my life. While abroad, I had the chance to reconnect with my Hungarian heritage and extended family, explore the beautiful continent of Europe, and broaden my horizons. As a Hungarian, immersing myself in this culture was an amazing opportunity to meet my family overseas and further strengthen my language skills. My resident director, Gitta, was an absolute gem—kind, helpful, and always there to lend a hand. If you even have a tiny nagging desire to study abroad, I highly recommend it. It may seem daunting at first, but the rewards are worth every moment.

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

I loved API's Budapest, Hungary, program! With Budapest's central location, it was so easy to travel to different countries on a budget. The program itself was great, our program director, Gitta Pestalits, went above and beyond for every student. She took us on many awesome excursions in Hungary and helped us get immersed. While you're in Budapest you will attend Corvinus University. The university is gorgeous and is located right on the Danube River. You will love every second there and will return!

Studying abroad in Budapest was such an incredible experience! The program size was perfect; we had 18 people which wasn't too small, but still small enough that you knew everyone in the program and we became a close knit community. It was so cool to get to meet students from all across the United States and Europe; AIFS has students at schools all over the US, and our accomodations are in an apartment building that is almost entirely student housing, which is a great way to meet people! Budapest itself was wonderful; it was such a hidden gem with lots to do, all while having great public transportation that is covered in the program fees. I loved getting to run by the Parliament at night, climb up Gellert Hill to see a panoramic view of the city, and explore different cafes all throughout Budapest. There were also so many opportunities to travel, including trips with AIFS to Vienna, Lake Balaton, and an optional excursion to Prague! The trips through AIFS were lots of fun, plus they were all planned for us so there was no stress over what we would do when we were in the cities. While the adjustment to being abroad was a bit of a challenge, it was such an opportunity for growth and coming out this program my confidence has grown so much. I would recommend this program to anyone looking for a unique study abroad experience!

As someone who's studied abroad multiple times, I was beyond excited to participate in a program closer to home! Initially, I wanted to come out of the experience with a little bit better Serbian, and some new friends and experiences! Upon completing the program, I realized I got those and much more! During my three and a half months in Serbia, I had an incredible host family and gained relationships I hope to foster for life. My favorite part of the program was its internship component, which allowed me to connect with the local culture more by interning at a local organization that perfectly fits into what I want to do in the future!

I participated in this program during the spring 2024 semester. I had never been to Europe prior to the program, and was unfamiliar with the Balkan region aside from some historical context. During the program I gained invaluable perspective on the region and Europe, experienced the culture first-hand through day-to-day life and my host family, and made lifelong friendships. I really enjoyed the excursion aspect of the program where we got to visit other countries and learn comparatively. I would recommend this program to any student interested in expanding their studies internationally and eager to step outside their comfort zone!

Budapest is an incredible city for studying abroad! A lot of people questioned why I would pick Budapest over the other common cities, and I am so so happy with my decision. AIFS supported me throughout the pre-departure process and was always available to answer my questions regarding absolutely anything. Once I arrived, our resident director had activities planned for us to introduce us to the city, and made us feel welcome right away. The housing provided is at a convenient location, right at a metro stop which is huge for commuting here. Throughout the semester, I've fallen in love with this city and everything in it - the attractions, the food, the culture. Budapest is also very budget-friendly, and a great spot to get cheap flights from if you're planning to travel on weekends while you're here. I would absolutely recommend going through AIFS to Budapest for the semester to anyone!

Doing the AIFS Budapest program was such a great decision. Budapest is such a vibrant city with so much to do, and it was great being able to explore it through AIFS activities and with the people I met on this program. The housing was nice and the program is super cost effective with all the different excursions and cultural activities included in the cost, like the trip to Vienna and cooking class (among other things). Studying abroad through AIFS was a life changing experience and I would highly highly recommend.

It was good. Housing was very meh. Over priced and not very good. Just get us apartments with common space. The city was very good. I had lots of fun traveling and overall it was great. I would really just saw have a normal apartment where I could hang with friends

The city of Budapest was a great city to study abroad in. It is easy to travel in-and-out of the city with affordable direct flights, trains, and buses all over Europe. The city has a great public transportation system, making it very easy to get around and explore. Food options are great, with a myriad of options both local and foreign; my favorite was an inexpensive Indian food spot just down the road from the dormitory. Pest has a great nightlife scene as well with many bars, pubs, clubs, and "ruin pubs" with plenty of character and at a fraction of the price of many other countries. My courses at Corvinus University were great... they offered enough work to stay engaged and learn while leaving plenty of time to travel on the weekends and experience the city. I would highly recommend taking the "Hungarian for Beginners" course as it really does help with cultural immersion and is easy to digest. Regarding AIFS, my residence director, Deniz, was spectacular. She was very helpful, could answer any questions, and offered great advice and assistance for travel. The AIFS trips were a lot of fun. It was nice to have a few planned out, guided trips in addition to my independent travels. These allowed us to see more of Hungary than we probably otherwise would have. My favorite was the trip to Lake Balaton where we explored the Hungarian wine country by bicycle, saw some spectacular views, learned about Hungarian history and culture, and took a dip in the "Hungarian Sea" (the lake). Overall, the program offered enough structure and guidance to get something extra out of my time abroad without being overbearing.

It would be easy to say something along the lines of “I don’t even know where to begin” or “Everything was so wonderful” — but the truth is, I know exactly where to start and how I want to describe as my experience. I write about Now. It has been almost two years since the succession of experiences in Budapest and beyond has come to a close. It is chilly here in Minnesota, much colder than it was in Buda or Pest. My mother is downstairs, our cat is curled up near the warmth of the radiator. I write about Now; the arm of my desk chair just broke as I pushed it too hard, distracted by concentration. I write about Now; in part because of how it connects so directly to these moments abroad. On my bedside table is the Hungarian parliament, proudly presenting a book titled “Budapest - Art & History” by Delia Meth-Cohn. One of the two journals from Budapest sits on the shelf beneath it, waiting for when I am in need of a moment of happy reminiscence. I write about Now — which may not yet make sense to you. I should be expressing my infatuation with the public transit system, or the fur coat I purchased from the thrift store despite it being oh so silly. I should be sharing gratitude for Deniz, our wonderful program advisor whom showed us how every moment is secretly a shared experience. I write about Now because Budapest taught me that this is what matters, this moment, these keystrokes, the crack on my iPad screen. I still write about Now. It is no longer the same Now that was when I began writing… or is it? Even in an hour it will sure feel like the same ‘Now’. In an hour I intend to move downstairs, to sit by the fireplace. There is something waiting for me there. A collection of short stories, not so different than the one I just wrote, the one you just read. A red infinity sign, a man going everywhere but ending up in the same place, a mysterious relationship. “The World Goes On” states Laszlo Krasznahorkai, the author of those short stories — the inspiration for my review, one of many sources of connection between ‘then’, and Now. And the world does go on. During my time abroad with AIFS I learned to appreciate every moment, to notice the small details, to follow the adventure. What I learned ‘then’ is what I practice Now, and for that I am forever grateful; even if forever only lasts a second.

Berlin is a really wonderful and historic city to live in. My German is basically nonexistent and I still felt like I was able to get around fine. The AIFs staff are very supportive, and the organized actives were well structured and thought out. If you weren’t interested in some or all of the activities, you didn’t have to participate and there was plenty of time to do your own thing around Berlin or travel throughout Europe. I didn’t particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes but also a few really awful ones. So, if I could do it again I would probably do the AIFS program with Freie Universität academic program.

I always knew I wanted to study abroad. The idea of traveling to a foreign land and living in a new place while conducting my studies was always something that intrigued me, but also scared me. It can be scary deciding to leave everything and everyone you know to embark on journey like this, but I could no recommend it enough. My fears of not making friends, not knowing how to get around and not enjoying the culture were completely unfounded. I've traveled to places I never thought I'd see, made it to 13 different countries, made lifelong friends and even met my current girlfriend all in the span of 4 months. This experience of a lifetime was not only incredibly fun, but I was also able to conduct my studies at the same time, so while I was living my best life, I was also being productive and earning my degree. I got to dip my toes in the water of a culture so different than mine, and found myself surprised that the water was so warm and welcoming. If you're interested in studying abroad, I cannot recommend AIFS, and Hungary enough as it exceeded my expectations for what I had already set an impossibly high bar for

Everyone I met through the program, my professor, the on-site director, other students, and locals were some of the most welcoming people I've ever encountered! The AIFS staff went the extra mile once I arrived to ensure that I had the experience of a lifetime. At the end of my program, I ended up having to quarantine an extra week but was well taken care of by the AIFS and accommodation staff (truly can't say enough good things!!!) I didn't know what to expect from the course going in but quickly found I had lots of time to explore Budapest outside of class. And with only four other students in my program, we got to know each other really well in a short period of time. I am still in touch with many of the people I met while abroad and am so grateful for the experience!

Studying abroad in Budapest was the best thing I have ever done. I lived in an amazing city and made lifelong friends. Without this experience I would not have had the ability to learn in another country with such ease.

My colleague and I have had the pleasure of accompanying 21 amazing humans on a 3 month journey that will most certainly change them for the rest of their lives. Thank you to AIFS for sharing Rome with us and attending to every detail that made this an experience that will live with us eternally. The AIFS Rome center staff were excellent in providing impactful excursions, extra-curricular courses, and ensuring that all of us were well informed and provided for in every part of our journey.

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad