Is This Program Right For You?  This program is designed for students interested in Hungary/Central Europe and the transformation from state control to a democratic market-based system.  Students can gain a greater understanding of Hungary’s development within Europe through a challenging academic program and in-country cultural experiences. This program is ideal for students interested in volunteering or internships.

The Budapest University of Economic Science and Public Administration (BUESPA), known as Karl Marx University until 1990, was established in 1948 in an elegant building that once housed Budapest's salt exchange. BUESPA is a major university with prominent departments including general economics, commerce, and social and political science departments. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the University's 24 departments and four institutes, and its teaching staff numbers 500. Renowned not only for its teaching, BUESPA is Hungary's major economics research center. Many members of the faculty are advisors to government and businesses that employ a significant number of BUESPA graduates.

The International Studies Center (ISC) is an independent teaching unit of BUESPA with courses taught in English. Degree requirements, examinations, grading and credit policies are similar to the U.S. higher education system. Faculty members are from the regular teaching staff of BUESPA and other universities and research organizations.  Many of them have teaching and/or research experience at U.S. universities and colleges. The ISC student body is made up of mostly international students drawn from more than 40 countries and a small number of Hungarians.

The Courses/Program:  Established in 1990, the CIEE Study Center in Budapest is an integral part of the BUESPA and ISC. The program offers students a series of specially designed courses in a variety of fields such as history, politics, economics and culture. The courses are country and region specific, and are also available (mostly as electives) to other ISC and BUESPA students.  All faculty members have extensive experience teaching American students.  Students typically take four courses or three courses plus an internship for credits.  Students are also required to take a Hungarian language course. Courses are taught in English.

CIEE courses meet twice a week for 75 minutes. Classes are relatively small and lectures tend to be the method of teaching, although most professors welcome discussions and questions.  Teachers and non-American students may express their opinions more frankly than Americans expect.  Please note that baseball caps, eating, gum-chewing and feet on furniture are PROHIBITED in class.

Housing:  Housing is included in the program fee.  During orientation, students are housed in a BUESPA dorm within walking distance of the University. During the remaining 16 weeks in Budapest, students usually share an apartment with one or two other CIEE program participants. A limited number of homestays are also available where students live with a Hungarian family.  There is also the option of living in the Corvinus University Dormitory.  Students will share double rooms with access to communal kitchen and laundry facilities. The Resident Director arranges housing for students based on availability and preference. Students are responsible for direct payment of their housing costs to their landlord through a monthly stipend distributed to students by the Resident Director.

Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester (17 weeks): late August – mid December / Application Deadline: April 1st
• Spring Semester (17 weeks): late January – late May / Application Deadline: November 1st
• Academic Year  (39 weeks): late August – late May / Application Deadline: April 1st

Requirements: (Language of instruction is English, Hungarian)
• 3.0 GPA

Program Cost Includes: Tuition, housing and some meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and insurance. Visa not included. For more information: www.ciee.org. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms.  Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only.  It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.