Magyar Mathematics

Amy Myers

Budapest Semesters in Mathematics offers undergraduate students the chance to immerse themselves in a motivated and supportive community of mathematicians and provides them with an opportunity to discover a beautiful city which they will surely love.

The program offers a variety of math classes taught in English by Hungary's finest professors. Many instructors have taught at American universities and show not only a fine command of the English language, but also a sincere appreciation of American students.

The courses range from introductory set theory and combinatorics to advanced group theory and functional analysis. Since homework assignments tend to consist of a few challenging problems rather than many simpler exercises, students generally work in groups. My number theory professor, for example, typically assigned three required problems, seven or eight recommended problems, and one especially challenging "star" problem each Wednesday at the end of a one hour lecture. An hour long "office hour" followed the lecture. The class then had from Wednesday afternoon until the two hour lecture on Monday morning to complete the assignment. I spent every Sunday evening with my study group sorting conjectures we had made individually during the week and discussing possible proofs. Living and studying with gifted individuals who share my love of mathematics was one of the most exciting and satisfying aspects of my Budapest experience.

In addition to three or four math classes, students typically register for one or two humanities courses. Most popular are the Hungarian language classes. Students having passed a two week intensive language course offered prior to the start of the term enroll in the advanced language course while the remaining students register for the beginning class. Hungarian Culture and Central European History complete the list of humanities.

Students find a stimulating and supportive academic community in the midst of an equally exciting and intriguing Hungarian community. Participants discover daily life in Budapest by shopping in open air food markets, communicating with apartment landlords or host families, and riding the extensive public transportation system.

Students also discover the rich cultural community of Budapest. The many symphony concerts, chamber recitals, operas, and ballets are more than enough to satisfy a classical music lover for the entire term. Numerous nightclubs vary in theme from folk dancing and modern jazz to techno music and alternative rock. National holidays arrive with the spectacular sight of a torchlight parade or the colorful display of uniformed soldiers.

Unique to Hungary is its cuisine. Students undoubtedly sample spicy hortobagyi palacsinta (crepe filled with ground pork in paprika sauce) and the stewed pork and vegetable gulyas. An unending variety of pastries and gelati (creamy Italian-style ice cream) available for less than fifty cents a scoop foils any attempted health food plan, and the sweet wines of Tokaj are famous worldwide.

Budapest's appeal extends even beyond its cafes, concerts, and clubs. Wide tree-lined avenues and crowded narrow streets arrive at museums and theaters whose architecture outside is as spectacular as that which is kept inside. The smooth marble staircases and tapestry covered walls on the interior of a library or coffeehouse compliment the fine stone carving and beautiful fenestrations to the exterior. Peaceful parks and quiet gardens echo the silent majesty of green hills overlooking the city, and at night the Danube River reflects the glow of hundreds of tiny bulbs illuminating the Szecsenyi chain bridge. Many travelers remark that "Paris of the East" is one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

Students find Hungary's vast public transportation system an easy way to make weekend excursions to nearby cities and towns. Lakes, castles, and hiking trails call students away from the bustle of Budapest into the quiet charm of country towns.