Budapest Semesters in Mathematics

Course materials are designed so that the credits will be transferable to American and Canadian colleges and universities. Normally, one BSM course transfers as either three or four semester hours depending on your home institution. Students should get advice in this regard from the Department of Mathematics or the Registrar's Office at their college or university.

Students may take as many or as few courses as they feel comfortable with (check your home institutions regulations on this!). The "normal" course load is four classes, but courses are available according to the Hungarian standard. That is, once a student is accepted to a university program of study, final course load responsibility and authority resides with the student. M any students have taken a considerably heavier load, with seemingly no ill effects.

During the first two weeks of the program, students will take all of the courses (European style) to get a broad overview of what courses are available. This way, student's may analyze what would best fit with their interests, or they will choose courses which are needed to complete the core curriculum for their home institution. Students usually select 3-4 courses to study for the remainder of the term. However, students may carry as many courses as they feel they can handle.

If there is a specific course the student would like to take and it is not offered, they may approach one of the professors on the program, or talk to our office manager to see whether it would be possible to offer the course.

Depending upon how many students would be interested in the suggested course, the professor will try to put together either a lecture or reading course.

Normally, one Budapest Semesters in Mathematics course transfers either as 3 or 4 semester hours depending on the home institution. For example, St. Olaf College operates on the course system; 34 courses are required to graduate. A Budapest Semesters course transfers as exactly one St. Olaf course. BSM course credits and transcripts are issued by The Technical University of Budapest.

If necessary, the student or a representative of the institution may contact the North American Director for additional information.

A list of courses currently being offered in Budapest can be found http://www.bsmath.hu.

Upon completion of work in Budapest,the North American office will send an official transcript to the registrar's office at your home institution (unless you direct us differently). The issuing institution will be The Technical University of Budapest. Transcripts will reflect either letter grades A-F, audit, or pass. Pass denotes a grade of "C-" or above.

You may find, at a later date, that you need transcripts if you plan to apply to graduate school. The North American office can furnish official transcripts. Normally, the fee is five dollars per transcript. However, if you are on a tight student budget or you need many transcripts, we ask that you send an amount of money that fits your budget. We would rather you get all the transcripts that you require, rather than getting a fewer number because they were too expensive.

Classes are held on the College International campus of the Technical University Budapest which is near the historic city center. When in Budapest you will meet the Student Co-ordinator and Dezső Miklós , the Program Director. They will help get you settled in your housing and show you the ropes. Dezső can help you with your academic schedule.

Budapest Office Mail

Quick Reference Numbers in Budapest

• Dezső Miklós , Hungarian Director: dezso@renyi.hu
• Student Coordinator: office@bsmath.hu
• BSM Office from North America: 011-36-1-413-3038
• BSM mobile phone: 011-36-30-474-3924
• Office Fax: 011-36-1-413-3030

Hungary is a small country, about the size of Indiana. Its population is 10 million. Located in Central Europe, it is bordered by Slovakia on the north, Ukraine and Romania on the east, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia to the south, and Austria on the west.

Hungary had a turbulent past. The country was invaded and was under foreign domination for much of the second half of its 1100-year history. Defying numerous conquerors, Hungary has maintained a distinct language and culture.

"Little Paris on the Danube" National Geographic

Budapest, a city of two million, is situated on both sides of the river Duna (Danube). Eight graceful bridges link the charming hills of Buda on the river's west bank to cosmopolitan Pest on the east. The construction of the Royal Palace on Buda's Castle Hill was begun over 700 years ago. Actually, the history of this district dates even earlier; a thousand years before the Hungarian kings, Roman warriors maintained a military settlement there to guard the "limes" of the Empire. Buda and Pest were united in 1872 and the union grew into the friendly metropolis we see now in modern Budapest with its elegant boulevards, coffeehouses, and concert halls.

The architecture of Budapest displays the influence of many other cultures---from Turkish baths reminiscent of the country's 150 years of struggle with the Ottoman Empire, to the modern Hyatt Hotel on Roosevelt square which in turn faces the 140-year-old edifice of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The city dominates the cultural, economic, and political life of the nation. Budapest hosts eleven universities, two opera and ballet theaters, scores of theaters, museums, art collections, and parks plus many cinemas, discos, and sports arenas.

Learning English has been quite fashionable in the country for many years. In the University virtually all faculty speak English, as do many students, to a reasonable degree. The visitor will have no difficulty finding helpful people speaking English all around Budapest. Another foreign language spoken by many Hungarians is German.

Students are asked to indicate their preference among the two housing options:

• renting a furnished apartment and sharing it with other Budapest Semesters participants, or
• living with a Hungarian family as a member of the family.

Opting for an apartment offers most of the comfort to which students are accustomed. Living with a family provides substantially less privacy, however, it could be the most rewarding choice by enhancing the cross-cultural experience.

Please note: "family" is loosely defined and could consist of the traditional mother, father, and children; elderly couples, newly married couples, or a pensioner.

All homes will be within easy reach of the university using the frequent and inexpensive public transportation. Program administrators in Budapest will help students with housing and any problems that arise.

Fees and Deadlines

All tuition and fees must be paid as follows:

Non-refundable tuition deposit ($750)

• within 3 weeks of receiving your acceptance letter

Remaining tuition ($6,825) and refundable housing/damage deposit ($400)

• before July 1 for Fall term
• before December 15 for Spring term

Payment details

Checks should be made payable to:

"Budapest Semesters"

and sent to the North American Office:

Deposit Refund

In the absence of any outstanding bills, the housing/damage deposit will be refunded as follows:

• September 30 for Spring term
• March 30 for Fall term

Language Course (optional)

Note: "Budapest Semesters" tuition does not include the fee of the optional two-week language course preceding each semester. The language course fee, approximately 80,000 HUF, is payable directly to the language school after arrival in Budapest.

For more information about the language course, please contact the Babilon Language School directly:

• e-mail: eva.babai2009@gmail.com
• website: babilon-nyelvstudio.hu

Other Notes on Money

Rents are payable in Budapest on a monthly basis.

ATM machines (accepting Cirrus, VISA, Mastercard, etc.) are widely available throughout downtown Budapest and disperse funds in both US dollars and Hungarian forints. This is an attractive and convenient method of obtaining currency.

Students may open U.S. dollar accounts at the Hungarian National Savings Bank, but most students have found using an ATM card to be the most convenient.

The use of personal checks is strongly discouraged since it may take up to two months for the checks to clear.

See the Costs page for more details.

In order to enter Hungary, you need a valid passport and visa to enter Hungary. A long term/multiple-entry student visa is required for all students of North American schools planning to study on the BSM program. This long-term/student visa must be applied for and received before leaving for Budapest. Do not apply for the visa earlier then 3 months prior to departure.

Information about the visa application process is included in the acceptance packet. It is your visa that will allow you to live and study in Hungary for either one semester or the full academic school year. After arrival you will be required to register your address in Budapest at the mayor's office; the BSM office in Budapest will assist you. For fees, downloadable visa forms, and other information, please go to: http://www.mfa.gov.hu and http://www.justlanded.com.

Be aware that due to security precautions, the visa process (especially if you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen) can take two months or longer.

If you are a non-North American citizen, please check with your home country consulate and the Hungarian Consulate General's Office about special documentation requirements before departure.

You can reach Budapest by air, train, or from Vienna by hydrofoil.

Many BSM students opt to travel together and spend time in other European countries before or after the semester in Budapest. You may wish to discuss your travel plans with an agency with experience in travel to and conditions in Hungary.

Please be aware that the cost of a flight to Budapest can vary as much as several hundred dollars from one travel agency to another, so shopping around to compare prices is a good idea.

Here are the coordinates of a several travel agencies that have helped students in previous years; other viable options also exist:

• http://www.statravel.com,
• http://www.northfieldvip.com,
• www.studentuniverse.com,
• www.bookingbuddy.com,
• www.raileurope.com.

Fall semester participants are encouraged to take the Putnam exam while in Budapest. The North American BSM office will contact the Putnam advisor at your home institution, but your home institution MUST list you on their home school Putnam list to be eligible for participation.

Graduate Record Exams are administered in Budapest.

Upon acceptance to the program, the North American Director will send you a packet of forms and information.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must normally (there ARE exceptions):

• have at least sophomore status,
• be in good academic standing,
• have completed one semester of Advanced Calculus (a first course in the Theory of Analysis) or Abstract Algebra by the start of the program, and
• be motivated to study mathematics

Selection

Selection for the program is based on:

• 1 BSM application (electronic strongly preferred)
• 2 written recommendations (electronic strongly preferred)
• 1 official transcript ("official" can be either electronic or snail mail), plus
• 6 self-addressed adhesive mailing labels (not self addressed envelopes), with the address to which information should be sent.

Application

Application is free. All materials must be mailed or emailed to the North American Director.

Our procedure is to accept applications on a rolling basis until 2/3 of the class is filled; thereafter all applications are held until the deadline.

Deadlines for applications:

• Fall semester: April 30
• Spring semester: November 1