California State University, Sacramento
Study Abroad Program
Study in Hungary at Corvinus University of Budapest
Established in 1948, Corvinus University of Budapest is one of Central Europe’s premier universities and Hungary’s leading university in the fields of economics and public administration. Corvinus University is Hungary’s major center for research in economics, and many of the faculty members are advisors to government and businesses. The university currently enrolls about 10,700 full-time and 7,200 part-time students. The university is located on a magnificent site on the bank of the Danube River in downtown Budapest. International students are invited to choose coursesoffered by the Faculties and by the International Studies Center (ISC) of Corvinus University. These courses are offered in English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. They are taught by Hungarian and guest professors.
There are two main libraries. One belongs to the Faculties of Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences and Public Administration. The other belongs to the Faculties of Horticulture, Food Sciences and Landscape Architecture. Study abroad students may use the libraries free of charge.
The International Office of Corvinus University is the coordinating body for the study abroad programs and works closely with the Faculties and the ISC. It is the general advising office for the international students. It also coordinates the Tandem Program, which connects international students with Hungarian students to help with the adaptation to life in Hungary.
HUNGARY AND THE CITY OF BUDAPEST
Hungary is in the heart of central Europe. The capital city of Budapest is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city of two million people. Rich in culture and history, Budapest is one of the most enjoyable cities in which to spend time while studying overseas. Its restaurants, museums, nightlife, hospitality, famous thermal baths, and natural beauty make it a favorite of many foreign visitors. The public transportation system in Budapest is excellent.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS
This study abroad program is an excellent opportunity for business and economics majors and for those students specifically interested in Hungarian and European Union studies.
The Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) offers specializations in accounting, corporate finance, information management, international management, management and organization, marketing, operations management, and public sector management. Specializations offered at the graduate level include: international business and economics and business administration.
The Faculty of Economics (FEC) offers specializations in finance, economic theories, applied statistics, European studies, public service, and actuary studies. Graduate specializations include: international economics and European studies and social economics.
The Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) offers specializations in international relations, political science, sociology, and social policy. Graduate courses are offered in international relations, European studies, Central and East European studies, and regional and development studies. The Faculty also offers “Hungary, Civilization Courses in English and Basic Hungarian”, which is mainly a civilization course with some basic Hungarian language. This course is offered during both the first and second semesters of the academic year.
The International Studies Center (ISC) offers courses taught in English, German, and French in the fields of business administration, economics, European studies, history, international economics, political science, public policy and administration, and sociology. The academic calendar for the ISC courses varies from the academic calendar of the Faculty courses.
Students proficient in Hungarian also may find courses of interest within the Faculties of Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Horticultural Sciences, and Food Sciences.
Examples of courses taught in English at Corvinus University that might be of interest to students looking to learn about Hungary and Eastern Europe are: Comparative Government and Politics: a European Perspective; Economics of European Integration; EU Issues; Foreign Direct Investment Opportunities in Central Europe; Foreign Policy of the EU; Hungary, Civilization courses in English and Basic Hungarian; and Modern Hungarian Democracy.
Courses available to our students through this program are given in the “List of Courses” at the Corvinus University of Budapest home page. All participants in this program must take Hungarian language/culture during their first semester of participation. Please note that courses offered by CIEE are not available through this program. CEMS core courses also are not available; however, CEMS elective courses can be taken by participants in this program.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should have upper division standing with a declared major or classified graduate standing at this university by the time of departure, good academic records, and a 2.75 cumulative grade point average for undergraduates and a 3.0 for graduates or better at the time of the application deadline. The applicant also should be prepared to accept the challenge of study in a country with an educational system different from our own. The Writing Proficiency Examination must have been passed at this university prior to departure, and, in most cases, the lower division courses of the appropriate field of study must have been completed prior to participation in this program. No prior knowledge of Hungarian is required. Applications will be accepted for one semester or one academic year. Students are required to be full-time while studying in Budapest and, thus, take the equivalent of 15 units during each semester for undergraduates and 12 units per semester for graduates.
CALENDAR
Corvinus University operates on a semester system calendar similar to that of this university. The first semester runs from about the beginning of September to about late December, and the second semester runs from about late January to about late May. There is a break of a month between the fall and spring semesters. Students must participate in the orientation day and, thus, will report to the university a few days before the start of classes. It is important to note that the academic calendars for the Faculty courses and the ISC courses vary.
CLIMATE
Hungary’s climate is continental. It is cold and snowy during the winter, and it gets relatively hot during the summer. Study abroad students should, therefore, bring appropriate clothing for the seasons they plan to spend in Hungary.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Most international students rent rooms or apartments. The Corvinus University International Office maintains a listing of real estate agencies ready to help international students find accommodation. (Some of these agencies are listed under Accommodation in the ECTS Guide for international students.) Sharing an apartment with one or two other students is a good way to lower costs.It is recommended that students find temporary housing for the first couple of days and then look for more permanent housing after arrival when they can view the rental location. It is very important to read the rental agreement carefully before paying or signing anything. Accommodation in residence halls is not available. Meals may be taken at a low-cost Corvinus University cafeteria, at restaurants and cafés in Budapest, or prepared by students in their own apartments.
SCHOLARSHIPS
For information on scholarships for study abroad, you should register for and attend a scholarship workshop in the Office of Global Education.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Students accepted to the program will pay the usual California State University, Sacramento fees, remain eligible for financial aid (except work/study), if otherwise qualified, and receive resident credit just as if they were attending classes at this university. (Please note that equivalency of courses falls under the jurisdiction of the academic department.) Students will pay for their travel to and from Budapest, room and board, books, and incidentals. In addition, each student must have the required insurance during his or her stay in Hungary. The approximate cost of living in Hungary is a bit lower than the cost of living independently in Sacramento (not including travel costs). Expenses for a semester in Hungary are estimated at the following: usual undergraduate fees - $1,779 (graduates would pay the graduate fee), room - $1,600, meals - $1,000, airfare - $1260, insurance - $200, incidentals (including local transportation, books, clothing, entertainment) - $1,400. Total: $7,239. The estimated expenses for an academic year are about $13,218. This estimate is given for planning purposes only and is subject to changes from currency fluctuation, inflation, and fee changes. Keep in mind that the costs to obtain a passport and a student visa are not included in this estimate.
YOU SHOULD CONSULT THESE RESOURCES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
The Office of Global Education home page: http://www.csus.edu/oge
Corvinus University of Budapest home page: http://www.uni-corvinus.hu .
Click on “In English” for information in English.
(Access “ECTS Guide” and “Useful Information” for
international student information.)
(Access “List of Courses” for courses, with descriptions,
taught in English.)
Corvinus University International Studies Center home page: http://isc.bke.hu/
For information on Budapest and Hungary, access:
http://english.budapest.hu
http://studyinhungary.hu
http://www.hungary.com
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
The Corvinus University of Budapest catalog is available at the Office of Global Education.
To obtain an application or to speak with a study abroad advisor, please call the Office of Global Education at 278-6686 or go to Lassen Hall, Room 2304. Applications, references, and transcripts should be sent to the address below. The deadline for materials to be received is February 29 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. Please note that there is an interview process for this application, also.
| Monica G. Freeman Coordinator, International Programs Office of Global Education Lassen Hall, Room 2304 or California State University, Sacramento 6000 J Street Sacramento, CA 95819-6012 |
Janis Silvers |
last update 8/07
