I study French, History and European Studies. Corvinus is NOTa language school. Although they offer modules for languages, they are not suitable for your studies at NTU so I wouldn't recommend you took them. However, they do offer a lot of really good courses for History, Economics, Business, EU Studies, International Relations etc. If you attend Corvinus to study these, you should be absolutely fine! Like my classes at Trent, Corvinus also love to engage you in a lot of discussions, so they really welcome Exchange students who can give them a different view from their country.
I would suggest staying in a hostel for your first few days. I stayed in a hostel called The Colors - the staff are really friendly, your breakfast is included, they provide you with a map in case you get lost, it is really cheap about £28 for 4 nights and more importantly it is really close to Corvinus University - literally just down one street and you're there! Other Exchange Students will be doing the same thing, so this gives you the opportunity to meet them before any official day/night begins.
Some people may like to find a flat or something before they get here and whilst this can be done, I wouldn't suggest you do it. I think it is better for you to be able to go and look around. And if you are really keen on finding somewhere before arriving then maybe try and make a visit to sort that out. I found a flat with friends through www.corvinushomes.com and they introduced us to the agency L'altra Casa (who I strongly recommend!) - www.altracasakft.com but there are also other reliable agencies you can go with.
To name a few:
www.blueline.hu
www.lidar.hu
www.tmc.co.hu
http://ihomes.hu
I lived in Kiraly, district 5 (apparently a district for the wealthy) but most of the students live here because it has a lot of bars, restaurants, shops and is near other places you'd like to visit. It also only takes about 15 minutes to get to the university. Don't worry about prices too much. We looked for a place that was between 300 - 400 euros and I ended up paying £270 for the flat I stayed in which was absolutely gorgeous.
The transport in Budapest is really important for everyone here. They have three metro lines Blue, Red and Yellow. You would use the BLUE line to get from the airport. The Yellow line takes you to places like district 5, other places of interest to a tourist and the university. There is usually a metro stop anywhere you go. However, the do stop running at 11pm.
They also have tram lines (which are free - no ticket man ever checking!) that are run frequently until 1pm or 2pm. They are also everywhere within the city. Or there are the buses. And probably the great thing about the buses here is that you will never have to pay unless there is a guard on board. If there isn't, you can hop on the bus and travel anywhere for nothing! I'm meant to be giving tips, so just make sure you have money or a metro ticket if there is somebody.
Once you get to a metro stop, purchase a monthly ticket for 3850 FT. They always check your ticket before you get onto the metro and sometimes even off, so make sure you have it for that. And if you are to ever get checked before getting on the buses, you can also use your ticket for this.
Social life
Throughout the day you can visit almost anywhere in Budapest without having to pay a penny -seriously! Just make sure you have your Metro ticket with you and Student ID from Trent or here with you at all times. You can take a visit to Hero's square, the museum, the circus (cirkusz) or the zoo which are in City parks. Then you could take a visit to Buda Castle or simply walk to the university and see the most amazing scenery from the bridge you will ever seen in your entire life! They also have this famous spa called Szenchenyi spa where the pool and jacuzzi are outside! Trust me you'd never feel the cold whilst in the pool because it is about 40 degrees hot.
There is also the Citadella which is a hill top that looks down on the whole of Budapest - absolutely gorgeous. It's near to the Danube bridge. When we walked across the Danube, they have Siberian winds coming from Russia or something, so it was extremely cold. By the end of it I couldn't feel any part of my body! So, on that note - wrap up warm!
The Night life is different from the UK but you'll still have fun. There are three places called Morrisons (not to be confused with the supermarket!) which are big student places. Monday is Erasmus night in Morrisons 1 where you can get in for 500FT (£1.50) and get 3 free beers if you arrive before 11pm and then in Morrisons 2 you have really good cocktail deals for 500FT. Then, Morrisons 3 where you can dance all night!
They also have a market in Budapest next to the University where you can buy fresh food which is really good for good prices compared to the supermarkets. However, I would recommend trying to learn a few things in Hungarian because although they are very nice people, the ones much more older than you do not understand English.
There is also ESN Corvinus (Erasmus Student Network) which is made up of volunteers who attend Corvinus University. They arrange numerous events from guided tours (for free) to parties and trips away. Make the most of these! They are usually well arranged, so they don't clash with time you have to use for studying. So, you can get a good balance of both!
Things to do, things not to do
Make sure you attend your orientation day. Here you are given all the information you need to know before you start your classes. And this is where you will also receive your ESN Corvinus card where you can get discounts on events ESN do and pretty much everywhere else! Although be prepared to bring 5,000 FT = peanuts in our money!
One thing that anyone visiting Budapest should do is bring a lot of WARM clothes. It's absolutely freezing and even when you're going out at night, don't leave your coat at home! And also, not trying to offend anyone but we like to look nice when we go out here but in Hungary they don't do that. A T-Shirt, pair of jeans and flats are fine to them. So, keep it simple otherwise you'll stand out like a sore thumb.
The most important thing you should pay attention to is to NEVER walk alone through District 8 or live there. This district is known for being really violent with a high numbers of killings happening here compared to anywhere else in Budapest. Nothing has ever happened to any Exchange Student who has chosen to live there but still don't take the risk. You want to have fun and be safe whilst here!
And finally, get an Hungarian phone. You can get them for 10,000 FT (£31) which is quite a good price here. It will be much cheaper for you to talk to people back home and in Budapest. Don't buy a phone that's so expensive, you are not going to be here for very long and as long as the phone works the way it should you don't need something that looks good. You will get a free sim from Vodafone during your Orientation which you can put into your Hungarian phones. However, when you register they have to send you a code through the post so make sure the registration is done after you've found your place.
Enjoy your stay. Eat Goulash or Izzy Bizzy, meet many different people from all over the place who will be just as nervous as you but so friendly and don't forget to study and have a lot of fun! It will be one of the best experiences of your life!
First of all, make sure you have no work to complete at Trent before going and also make sure that there is no work that needs to be completed whilst staying in Budapest. If you don't find out this information and then you would be in a sticky situation.
Book your tickets in advance - you will get them for much cheaper. Ryanair no longer flies to Budapest from East Midlands Airport, Cardiff Airport etc so don't look to them. Instead you have find the budget airline Wizzair that flies from Luton Airport for £40 - £50 if you book early and about £70 if you book closer to your departure date. Or, you can fly with British Airways from London, Heathrow at around £70 but again these prices go up the later you book. Also, there is Gatwick Airport that flies to Budapest but they charge at least £169 and unless you want to waste that much money on a seat I wouldn't fly with them.
Buy as many warm clothes as you can. You will literally be freezing over here. And make sure you pack your suitcase with things you will 'need', not things you 'want' to take. I know at Heathrow you have to stick to 23kg worth of luggage unless you want to pay an extra £30 for going over or 32kg if you fly with Wizzair. I also used those vacuum bags that took all the air out, so maybe use those because I could get so much more in my suitcase with them!
And if you are anything like me with no sense of direction whatsoever then learn to map read. When you get here labels may say that something is 40 euros but they don't use that currency over here, so only change your money to the Hungarian Forint. I only changed £200 and got 58 thousand and something Forint which is quite a lot in their money. You shouldn't have to open a bank account here because you can use your British account perfectly fine.
Also make sure you are covered with Travel Insurance and that you have your EHIC. You don't want to forget any of these things because if something was to happen it wouldn't be pleasant and these things are the only way to know you are sorted no matter what!
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