Studying Abroad in Budapest: Lessons from the First Semester
Nadine Brachi, ELTE University
Moving to Budapest for a semester abroad felt exciting, daunting, and uncertain all at once. Leaving behind familiar routines and studying in a new country forced me to adapt quickly, both academically and personally. From navigating a different education system to learning how to feel at home in an unfamiliar city, the first few months have been a period of adjustment, reflection, and growth.
Now, at the end of my first semester, I’ve begun to see how much this experience has already shaped me. Studying abroad in Budapest has been less about grand, cinematic moments and more about the small lessons learned through everyday challenges. This post reflects on those lessons, what surprised me most, and how this semester has changed the way I approach both university life and living abroad.
If I could talk to the version of myself who arrived in September, the girl who hadn’t yet started her studies and was apprehensive about such a big move, the first thing I would say is this: don’t take your modules too seriously (hear me out). Even before finishing my second year, this was advice I received from a former ELTE study abroad student, and its importance has only become clearer with time.
The essence of this advice lies in the uniqueness of a year abroad. Realistically, how often will you have the freedom of being a student while also living in a completely different country? To make the most of this opportunity — to experience new cultures, explore the city, and build meaningful friendships — it’s important not to let studying consume your entire experience. That isn’t to say academics don’t matter, but they shouldn’t weigh you down to the point where you miss everything else a year abroad has to offer.
The next piece of advice may feel slightly confrontational: choose modules that push you outside of your comfort zone. This year is assessed on a pass/fail basis, which makes it the perfect opportunity to take academic risks. For me, this meant confronting a long-standing fear of public speaking, something I find deeply uncomfortable and, at times, overwhelming.
One of the modules I chose was the Pax Moot Court Competition. While I know it will be challenging, nerve-wracking, and occasionally embarrassing, doing it away from the city I call home has made it feel more manageable. There’s a sense of distance that allows me to detach slightly from the pressure. Ultimately, the only way to improve is by doing, and this semester has taught me the value of leaning into discomfort rather than avoiding it.
The final piece of advice I would give is to participate as much as possible. This applies academically and socially. Universities offer countless opportunities: talks, trips, networking events, and conversations with professionals in your chosen field. Take them. As the saying goes, it’s not what you know, but who you know. Building cross-border connections now may prove invaluable in the future.
Participation also matters outside the academic sphere. Since arriving in Budapest, I’ve joined the European Union’s Erasmus programme, which is affiliated with several student organisations that host social and cultural events. By attending these, I’ve met people and formed friendships with students from all over the world. These experiences have been just as formative as anything I’ve learned in the classroom.
Looking back, my first semester in Budapest has been defined not by perfection, but by growth. It has taught me to embrace uncertainty, take risks, and fully engage with the opportunities around me – lessons I know will stay with me long after this semester ends.
