Corvinus Offline - Erasmus Edition (2014 spring) by Corvinus Hallgatói Médiaközpont

erasmus special edition

VII. ĂŠvfolyam, 1. szĂĄm, 2014

University life

Campuses on both sides of the Danube Highlights of Budapest

Welcome to Hungary Erasmus and the city

Hungarian culture in a nutshell

content 37

welcome

university life

37 T he CUB Story

38 C ampuses on both sides of the Danube

welcome to hungary 05 H istory of Hungary

07 N ational Feasts in Spring 08 D id you know… 09 H ungarian culture in a nutshell 12 T hose hungry Hungarians... 14 G ulyásleves, halászlé, palacsinta, dobostorta 16 Liquid Hungary 18 U nicum 19 T he Great Hungarian Plain 20 D unántúl Hills 21 Western Hungary 22 R egion of the Lake Balaton 23 T he Little Plain 24 T he North Hungarian Mountains

erasmus and the city 25 B udapest

26 H ighlights of Budapest 28 U pcoming events in Budapest 30 O ne night in Budapest 32 R uinpubs: the hidden corners of downtown

39 B achelor programmes at the Buda Campus 40 B achelor Programmes on the Közgáz Campus 42 Academic life 44 Academic calendar 2013/2014 45 Neptun and Moodle 46 Libraries at Corvinus 47 H ow to shape your student life at Corvinus 48 E vents at the Corvinus University of Budapest 50 R estaurants and Bars near the University 52 Sports at Corvinus

GOOD TO KNOW & GOOD TO DO 53 Erasmus 54 The International Office 56 E SN – About Us. And You. 58 E SN – Event calendar 59 S ZISZ – Széchenyi István College 60 AIE SEC – Travelling the world and developing yourself 61 I DSA – International Diplomatic Student Association 62 KDSZ – Economists in Public Policy 62 H aKöSz – Association of Students in Community Service 63 H ÖK – The Students’ Union

33 B aths: The Turkish Empire in Budapest

64 Contact Persons

34 T raveling and Living in Budapest

66 Small Hungarian language class

dear exchange students

s the president of the Students’ Union of Corvinus University of Budapest I would like to warmly welcome you in our country. I can proudly say that you have chosen the best place for your abroad studies. I hope you will spend an unforgettable semester here with us; here in Hungary, here, in the heart of eastern-central Europe. Otherwise here comes the question: do you know where you are exactly? I guess the answer is a big “NO”. That is the reason, why we made this magazine. Among these pages you can find all of the information you will need during your stay. Are you interested in some university “secrets”, student life, parties, special events, the most important things about Hungary, or some culinary specialities? Now, you hold a short summary of them in your hand. Having finished reading this magazine you will have a lot of questions to answer. I would like to encourage you to turn to us when you need some help. We, the Students’ Union, will help you with everything that comes up to you. You areour university’s students for a while, so we represent not only the Hungarian students, but you too. I promise, you won’t be disappointed with us. I honestly hope that you will

have a great time here with us at the Corvinus University of Budapest. Collect lots of memorable moments and experience everything you are interested in! That’s all I can wish for you. Best regards, Norbert Kocsa, President of the Students’ Union Corvinus University of Budapest

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editor’s letter

Prologue

First and foremost, I should confess that I was never as brave as you; to be honest, maybe I’ll never have the courage to have an adventure like yours in Hungary. However, you’ll do it better than me - and while you have all of my respect, I’m sure you will have a wonderful and unforgettable time here! I’ve never met an Erasmus student who was disappointed after spending a semester abroad, and by choosing the Corvinus University of Budapest for this, you have made the perfect decision. I have only good things to say about both the city and the university - and if I have to summarize my thoughts, I would use keywords like lively, beautiful, unique and variegated. You’ll have no time to be bored; here, there are so many things to do, so many places to visit and so many sights to see... Ok, sometimes you should sit down and take a rest, but please don’t do it in your room! Instead, go to a ‘ruin’ pub for a ‘fröccs’! Yes, you’ve guessed it: ‘ruin pubs’ are my favourites, and there is no doubt that, sooner or later, they’ll be yours too! I don’t exactly know what kind of feelings you have now. Probably you are curious, maybe also a bit frightened... The first days in a new country can’t be easy. A map can help you if you can’t find a street - yet what happens if you can’t find your place under the new circumstances? Well, in this case, this brochure will help you. Culture, events, sights, food and drink, lifestyle, public transport and, of course, the rules of student life – in the following pages you’ll find everything in a nutshell. Just let it guide you! Anna Südi, editor, Corvinus Offline

impr esszum A Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem hallgatói magazinja, a Corvinus Hallgatói Médiaközpont tagja. Megjelent 3000 példányban. Ádám Hajas editor in chief Anna Südi editot Gergő Papp reader editor Richárd Nagy layout design Proofreader: Centre of Foreign Language Education and Research – Corvinus University of Budapest, Kathryn POLANEC Authors: Zsófia ÁCS, Judit BAKONYI, Ádám BÁGYI, Eszter BÁRTFAI,

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Dániel BÖZÖRI, Roland HAJDU, Lili HORVÁTH, Ádám JUHÁSZ, Adrienn KASSAI, Bence KUTI, András MATOLCSY, István KÁRÁSZ, Gábor NÉMETH, Patrícia ORBÁN, János PAP, Gergő PAPP, Gergő PÁLFI, Lilla STEFANOVSZKY, András SZABÓ, Rúben SZÁNTÓ, Árpine SZÁRKISZJÁN, Eszter SZÉPLAKY, Andrea SZILVÁSI Contributors: Students’ Union, AIESEC, IDSA, KDSZ, ESN, HAKÖSZ, International Office Alapító kiadó: A Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem rektora és a Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem

Hallgatói Önkormányzatának elnöke Nyomda: Keskeny Nyomda (www.keskenynyomda.hu) Felelôs vezető: ifj. Keskeny Árpád ügyvezető Szerkesztőség: Corvinus Média / Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem 1093 Budapest, Fővám tér 8., 2. emelet, 233. iroda Tel.: 06-1-482-5602, E-mail: media@bcehok.hu Web: www.corvinusmedia.hu A Corvinus Média médiumai: KÖZGAZDÁSZ, CORVINUS OFFLINE, CORVINUS ONLINE, CORVINUS TV

w elcom e to hu nga ry

History of Hungary When Nobel Prize winner Enrico Fermi was asked if he believed in extraterrestrials, he replied: “They are among us, but they call themselves Hungarians.”

his small country is one of the oldest European countries, situated in the middle of the continent, in Central Europe. Hungarians speak a unique language and form a culture unlike any other in the region - and this distinctiveness has been both a source of pride and an obstacle for more than a millennium. The Hungarians settled in the Carpathian Basin in 895, led by Árpád and the seven chieftains. In the next century, they carried out

several raids in Europe, thereby generating the following prayer among others:“Save us, my Lord, from the arrows of the Hungarians”. Finally, the ruling prince Géza of the Árpád dynasty officially started to integrate Hungary into Christian Western Europe. His son, who became Saint Stephen, was the person who finished this procedure, and he became the first King of Hungary in 1000. The next three centuries were the Age of the Árpádian kings, which was the beginning of an adventurous historical epoch.

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welcome to hungary

National Feasts in Spring As with all countries in the world, Hungary also has a couple of important feasts, national days. Some of them are international but there are several ones that are only commemorated in our country.

ndrew III the Venetian was the last member of the Árpád dynasty on the paternal line. His reign ended in 1301, which brought in a new era. Hungary had many elected kings, one of the most famous of whom was Matthias Corvinus. Have you heard of the Black Army, the origin of the CUB’s name or the occupation of Vienna? This is all with reference to him! In the sixteenth century, the Ottoman Empire attacked the Hungarian Kingdom. At that time, Hungary was a shield for Christianity and the defender of Western civilization, which cost the Hungarian nation a lot – for the country was divided into three parts for 150 years, causing a loss of population as well as ethnographic and economical upheavals. Then Hungary became part of the Habsburg Empire, who liberated the country with the help of the Holly League. In the nineteenth century, the Spring of Nations reached as far as Hungary too, and this led to the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and the War of Independence of 1848-1849. The Habsburg Empire was able to defeat the Hungarians only with the help of the Russians. Following this defeat, the entire country was in a state of “passive resistance”. In 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Compromise was reached, which created Austria-Hungary’s dual Monarchy. The era witnessed impressive economic development, thus the formerly backward Hungarian economy became relatively modern and industrialized. In the twentieth century, Hungary had to fight in alliance with Germany, in World War 1, which turned out to be a failure. Hungary lost 71% of its territory, and about one-third of the ethnic Hungarian population became

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minorities in neighboring countries. In World War II, Hungary was forced to fight against the Allies, since Germany put political pressure on the government. Soviet troops subsequently “liberated” Hungary, which gradually became a communist state within the sphere of rule of the Soviet Union. The communist system led to the famous Hungarian Revolution of 1956, whose aftermath was a more “friendly” system of political rule. In 1989, Soviet troops proceeded to leave Hungary, and change of the system occurred. Finally, Hungary had become an independent, democratic state. Today’s Hungary is a Parliamentary republic, and the name of the current Prime Minister is Viktor Orbán. The population is around 10 million, though this figure keeps on decreasing. The capital city is Budapest, the “Pearl of the Danube”, and it is one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Hungary is one of the thirty most popular tourist destinations in the world; it is also home to the largest thermal water cave system and the second largest thermal lake. The biggest fresh-water lake in Central Europe is Lake Balaton, which is a natural paradise for visitors. And there is something else that keeps bringing visitors back to us - the legendary Hungarian hospitality.

n these days different types of programmes are held in common places with many people. In the following lines we show you the most important ones that are good to know about. 15th of March: It’s one of our three national days, a significant feast. It’s the day when we remember the revolution and the war of independence of 1848/49. – it was the end of the Habsburg reign and also the beginning of a new independent and parlamentary Hungary. On this day the Hungarians wear a tricolor cockade on their coats. Programmes and commemorations are held almost in all towns and villages. In Budapest it’s always a nice programme, usually held at the Parliament and the National Museum – it is worth seeing. It’s also a red-letter day. 1st of May: It’s the Labour Day. On this day there’s a tradition in Hungary of setting

a May Pole. It’s meant to be a nice gesture from the boys to girls. Noticing a May Pole in front of your accommodation means that a member of your male aquintances really likes you. The first Sunday of May: It’s Mother’s Day, an international feast – in other countries the date may differ. This day we celebrate our beloved mother. We give them flowers, greeting card or other kind gifts to honor their care and love. 20th of August: Besides 15th of March it is also a national day. This day we celebrate the foundation of Hungary by St. Stephen in 1000. Ceremonies and interesting programmes are held all over the country – in Budapest mainly at the Parliament and the Heroes’ Square. The day always ends with an amazing firework display. It’s always a great experience to see it. 20th of August is also a red-letter day.

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welcome to hungary

Did you know… …that some of the great inventions, like Rubik’s cube, the ballpoint pen and holography were invented by Hungarians? …that the Hungarian language is widely regarded to be one of the most difficult languages in the world? …that Budapest has exactly nine bridges over the Danube, so the capital city is also referred to as “the city of bridges”? …that only five countries (the USA, USSR, UK, France and Italy) have won more Summer Olympic gold medals than Hungary?

…that Hungary had three seas in its history, but it is now a landlocked territory, one bordered by seven countries (the Ukraine, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania and Serbia)? …that the Dohány Street Synagogue, also known as The Great Synagogue, is the largest synagogue in Europe, and it is located in Budapest? …that Hungary was amongst the first communistera countries that opposed the Soviet regime during the Cold War? …that Budapest’s Millennium Underground is the oldest underground train system in continental Europe?

…that one third one third of Hungarian speakers don’t live in Hungary, but mostly in adjacent countries? …that Lajos Kossuth is the only non-American statesman who has a statue in the United States Capitol?

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welcome to hungary

Hungarian culture in a nutshell Foreigners, who visit Hungary are likely to discover only on or a few segments of the country’s culture. They normally leave without knowing that they have missed worthy things to see, hear and feel, which are essential parts of becoming a real Hungarian – even if only for a few months. Let us give you a glimpse of the different arts Hungarian culture is rich in.

Theatre Theatricals have existed in Hungary since 1790; before that date, there were no performances named theatre pieces, though the habit of acting had been known and praticed by people. The first official pieces were translated from German and were staged by fugitive troupes. Then the second half of the early 1800’s brought a dramatic change: the very first Hungarian play was performed, and by opening a theatre in Budapest, the capital took the lead from the countryside. The next new era of Hungarian theatricals started in the 1930’s and lasted until 1989. In this period of Hungarian history not only dramatics, but everything was strictly controlled by the governement. Conversely – even though there were some times, when factual censure did not exist - the

creativity of actors, directors, and other staff members was tied to the authority-inpower’s political intentions. By 1989, the year of the regime change, the restrictions and prohibitions were released, and a rapid development began, which has been in progress ever since. Today, there are more than 200 theatres of all kind in Hungary: prosaic, alternative, puppet-shows, ballet, motional... Almost the half of them are situated in Budapest, which means there is a lot to select from for Corvinus’ exchange students. As foreigner, it is worth looking for pieces in English (there are both permanent and temporary ones) or performances which do not require language knowledge (for instance dance). Going to the theatre counts as high-cultural activity among Hungarians, therefore dressing up for the occasion is strongly recommended.

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welcome to hungary

Fine arts Hungary – as territory - already had a rich culture in the stone age, what technically means that a lot of acient sculptures and drawings have been discovered in this area. Hungarian’s ancentors occupied the territory in 998, after having threatened the region with legendary grit for decades. Our virtue has been being distinguished, but it never fully disappeared – the history of Hungarians depicts that well. It may be all the adventures, tragedies, and victories in our story that make

people forget about our art. However our artists have been kept being there and not once being among the best since the nation had settled down. Antiquity, middle ages, renaissance, and modern history were also enriched with Hungarian talents and fine pieces of work. Some of the names you definitely want to look up (regardless to the type of their activity or the era they have been working in) are: Mihály Munkácsi, Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka, Victor Vasarely, Bertalan Székely, and Viktor Madarász.

Literature The oldest written record of Hungarians is the following: „feheruuaru rea meneh hodu utu rea”, which just as strange to us as to you. This sentence (or a part of it) was the only Hungarian in a Latin text, which suggests, at the time, our language was poorly developed. Even though Hungarian is known to be separated even from its near relatives, the first fully Hungarian text was only written sometime between 1192 and 1195. It consists of 26 lines and is basically a funereal speech. This piece, as significant part of Hungarian literature has been adapted countless times by artists of the later years. Ever since 1200, pieces of literature (poems, novels, letters...) have been being produced by more or less talented writers in various dialects of Hungarian language, sometimes ones containing foreign words or phrases. It was not rare – especially among scientific works-, that a writing would encompass

more foreign, than Hungarian words. The middle ages, renaissance, and baroque also had a couple of determining artists, who were significant and remained so in the nation’s and the region’s culture as well. The period from 1770 till 1872 was very meaningful to Hungarian literature. A group of intellectuals, who were familiar with European arts, linguistics, and history, started an innovation revolution in order to simplify Hungarian, to remove foreign words from it, and to replace them with Hungarian ones. As their work was done and most of their intentions were implemented, the language was ready to be used in one specific version nationwide (different, slight dialects remained existent of course). The biggest success of Hungarian literute so far is most likely Imre Kertész’s Nobel prize for his novel Fateless . Naturally, the book is available not only in English, but numerous other foreign languages as well. It is definitely worth a read.

One thing is certain: Hungarians and their culture is full of music!

Music It is weird to think about the fact that civilisations, which have not yet discovered the ability of singing of the elements of music, still exist. It is interesting to wonder about what defines societies’ affinity on producing music with their body or instruments. One thing is certain: Hungarians and their culture is full of music! It is enough to just think about the language, which is so often called melodic. The history of Hungarian music starts with the aforementioned settling down. Two types of music began folding out then: liturgic gregorian chants and outspoken folk songs were the first pieces written down. For a long time religion was Hungarian music’s refuge: during our thundery history, priests were the ones who had the time and chance to document and practice it. Of course, the „music of the people“ did not go extinct either: but it wasn’t recognized or appreciated, or even written down

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or recorded up until the late-1800s. Béla Bartók (1881-1945) and Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967) were two Hungarian composers, experts in musicology, who realized: the nation had neglected a very prescious treasure hidden right in the heart of the people. This was folk music, which – thanks to the two gentlemen’s persistent wandering and work – now is a more and more popular part of Hungarian culture. In the early years of modern history, the main musical activity in Hungary was to set poems to music. From the 18th century on, many composers started to work as well, some of them were also able to live out of their talent. The Hungarian musician and piece which are definitely the most well-known by foreigners are Ferenc Liszt and his Hungarian Rapsody. It is probably more worth listening to, than some of today’s Hungarian songs, although – of course – nowadays’ bands have their cream as well.

Motion picture Cinematography is the science of motion picture, and it is actually older than that. Before real moving pictures were made, a machine called fenakistoscope was used to create the illusion of motion picture. The first moving pictures in Hungary in 1896 on a millennium celebration by the Lumiére brothers’ legendary camera. The very first staged and directed movie was not been pending for long: 1901 was the year when The Dance was created. In the next 10 years, all together 270 cinemas have been established and running, and the first producing company, Projectograph has been started as well. In the early years of Hungarian motion picture, a hybrid genre became extremely popular. It was called cinemasketch and basically meant a fusion of theatre and cinema. In the middle of a movie, the moving pictures would stop, the actors would appear live on the stage and continue playing just like in theatres. The main characteristics of the Hungarian motion picture culture in the 20th century

changed rapidly. Directors and scriptwriters were first interested in Hungarian topics, then wanted to switch to foreign stories, which were normally banned by the governement. In 1950s the previous black and white features were replaced with shades in characters and stories. The prominent work of this time period is Zoltán Fábri’s Signal of Life. The century’s second half was significantly distinctive because of social sensitivity and rioting. The regime change, along with theatricals, set the artists of motion picture and their creativity free. The 2000s encompassed very various pieces. Suprisingly (or not), the ones appreciated by critics and the experts are not even nearly as well-known as popular, but professionally speaking not so precious movies. Our directors, actors, and actresses persistently keep up the high quality work and that has turned into numerous international prizes. It is worth browsing the lists of winners of the most valued awards, because there are certainly some Hungarians to be found on them.

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welcome to hungary

welcome to hungary explain that everything great in the world can be traced down to Hungarian beginnings. Reality: We are proud of what our nation has become. We are also amazed with the success our fellow-countrymen have achieved and we like to spread the word. We will admit that if there is a tiny bit of Hungarian in someone productive and recognized, we will immediately claim him or her as Hungarian. But of course we would never make up stories just to charm someone or to compete with other nations. It is – in our opinion – only natural to appreciate our nation’s acheivements and to share them with foreigners as well. Stereotype 3: Hungarians swear a lot Foreigners tend to think, that our language is rude and rough by the way

Those hungry Hungarians...

The pun that every foreigner knows – without having a specific knowledge about Hungary or its people – is that Hungarians are hungry. This phrase is often repeated and loved a lot by Hungarians – at least for a while.

ut everything shallow gets boring sooner or later, therefore people need more complex preconceptions, which require a deeper awareness of the nation. Let’s see what some of the stereotypes of Hungarians are, which are based on foreigners’ actual experiences and not only on the similarity of two words. Stereotype 1: Hungarians cook exclusively with fat and eat a lot Foreign people tend to think, that Hungarians’ eating habits are also very unhealthy regarding methods and quantitiy. They assume, that Hungarians only eat dishes – such as gulash – which are known

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worldwide. Reality: It is true that we love cooking and eating. “It is also correct that diabetics would not consider some of our traditional meals healthy. But in order to see the full picture, one must know that modern Hungarian families also believe in and strive for generally healthy cuisine. The dishes that everyone knows are normally part of celebrations and not our everyday repast.

some words sound. People usually decide that not only this is true, but Hungarians’ personalities are quite similar to their language and then when someone shows off in front of them by swearing for 5 minutes without repeating a word... Reality: The Hungarian language allows people to swear with variety, that is completely true. This fact though, originates from the distinctiveness of the whole language: it is very colorful. And most of the people, just as they use a low percentage of the expressive and melodic Hungarian words, so they do with swearing: compared to English or German citizens, we tend to use 1 or 2 all the time. Although we know, that you must be interested in learning some of our swear words, it may be worth too to learn a few unique and musical expressions of Hungarian.

The Hungarian language allows people to swear with variety, that is completely true

Stereotype 2: Hungarians are egoistic and find themselves better than others Foreigners often say that Hungarians talk too much about themselves or other Hungarians, and that they often try to

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welcome to hungary

Gulyásleves, halászlé, the palacsinta or hungarian cuisine in dobostorta a nutshell

Hungarian cuisine has the most delicious dishes in the world. After you’ve read this article, you can decide if I’m a bit biased or not – of course I’m not, it’s the truth – so don’t hesitate, and try out everything on this list, while you are in Hungary.

irst of all, we love meat. Meat stews, casseroles, roasted pork, beef, poultry, lamb, steak - as a matter of fact, we love everything which contains meat. Just to mention some fantastic meat dishes: goulash, stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers; all can combine pork, beef,

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and parsely root), and potatoes. Some may think that goulash, or gulyás leves in Hungarian is what we call paprikás which is a stew with meat simmered in thick creamy paprika gravy and paprika, or pörkölt which is a stew with boneless meat and a very greasy gravy served with nokedli (small dumplings), but it is not. Goulash is a soup, and every Hungarian is a bit sensitive about calling it a stew. So don’t do it. For your safety. Seriously. Apart from goulash, we are very proud of our kolbász – Hungarian sausages – and winter salami, which is a Hungarian speciality like kolbász, but it has a different taste. Don’t ask more, just try it. We also have dishes which aren’t all about meat, meat, and more meat, for example soups and desserts. We have a special hot fish soup – yeah, I know it’s meat, but I have to mention it for your sake - called, Fisherman’s Soup or halászlé which is cooked differently near the Danube than near the Tisza. Okay, okay, that’s it about meat I swear. So, we also have a sour cherry soup called hideg gyümölcsleves and many other fruit soups which are served cold. In regard to the good part, let’s talk about desserts. We have palacsinta, crepes stuffed with cocoa, jam, nutella or túró – a type of quark – and basically everything you

can stick into it. Another typical Hungarian dessert is rétes, stroudel filled with apple, sour cherry, poppy seeds, or nuts. We are very proud of our Dobos Cake or dobostorta, which is a layered sponge cake, with chocolate buttercream filling and topped with a slice of caramel. And I could mention a million more, but I will leave it to your imagination. If I listed all of our delicious dishes, this whole journal wouldn’t be enough, so I will end here. I hope, I have whet your appetite for some truly magnificent Hungarian specialities, and if you have already tried all the foods from this list, ask your Hungarian friends, and they will tell you hundreds and hundreds more. After you have tried those out too, and you are really-really fat because of our fantastic cuisine at the end of your time here, you can decide whether I am right or not. Of course I am.

We also have dishes which aren’t all about meat, meat, and more meat, for example soups and desserts

and sometimes mutton. I know your eyes caught on goulash for a second, because everybody talks about it, knows about it, and loves it – so if you don’t know what it is, which is just not an option – I will resolve the myth which surrounds goulash. It’s a soup using paprika, caraway, meat (of course), vegetables (usually carrots

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welcome to hungary

Liquid Hungary You simply can’t stay dry in Hungary and I don’t say that because Budapest has more thermal and medicinal water springs than any other capital city in the world. Lake Balaton would be a good guess, since we are quite proud of it (actually we call it the Hungarian sea), but I’m not talking about any water. It doesn’t contain alcohol, you know. 16 corvinusoffline

ortunately, Hungary has an ancient winemaking history and its major wine regions are lovely, historic, relatively unspoiled, and mostly remote from the populous cities, which is part of their charm. God has given everything to us that we need to make world-famous wines, which give you an unforgettable experience. Whether visiting the winegrowing regions of Hungary, especially Eger or Tokaj, or just taking a crack at tasting an Egri Bikavér or a Tokaji aszú in a wine bar, you won’t regret any drop of it. I can’t count on two hands how many wine bars we have, but I will mention some of them, so you will get the idea… for example, DiVino is a pretty good wine bar in the Gozsdu Passage, or Kadarka is waiting for you just few hundred meters away. To be honest, that area is the center of the nightlife in Budapest, so just walk around in the old Jewish quarter. If you are diligent enough, during your halfyear you can discover the most popular pubs here, but a lifetime wouldn’t be enough for all of them. My favorite wine is the Cserszegi fűszeres, a white Hungarian grape variety. That’s always a good choice, especially after one shot of Pálinka. In Hungary, every good night starts with one round of our national drink, which is really similar to the well-known spirit. It’s our ancient medicine, the balm to our sorrows; so don’t be surprised, if Hungarians offer you Pálinka almost everywhere – especially in the countryside where the villagers start the day with Pálinka instead of coffee. In Transylvania, which

was formerly part of Hungary, you can find the best homemade spirits and the most hospitable families. Of course, you don’t have to go that far away to drink a good shot of Pálinka: you can find several branded spirits in the shops or in the pubs; however, homemade Pálinka is the best. If you ask me, my favorite Pálinka is the sour cherry bedded type. In the Magyar Ízek Háza, it’s possible to find this one or a lot more, so visit it at least once. Oh, yes… and keep in your mind our ancient saying: “Only an ox drinks alone.” – so share the experience with your friends and look out for each other.

It’s our ancient medicine, the balm to our sorrows; so don’t be surprised, if Hungarians offer you Pálinka almost everywhere

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welcome to hungary

Unicum

It wouldn’t be surprising, if you have already seen a frosty bottle of Unicum somewhere in your homeland. The reason is quite simple: Unicum – the national drink of Hungary – is a world-famous, legendary liqueur. Let’s get to know some more about it.

tepping back in time, Unicum was created by Dr. József Zwack, the Royal Physician to the Habsburg Court, for Joseph II., the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary who then tasted the very first sip of Unicum, which became such a great success, the royal’s comment was the following: ‘Dr. Zwack, das ist ein Unikum!’ - giving this herb liqueur its name. Whether the legend of the comment is true or not, Unicum started its carrier in 1790, more than 200 years ago. This unique herb liqueur is still based on a secret family recipe and distilled from over forty different herbs and spices. In the Zwack family distillery in Budapest, Unicum is aged in large oak casks before being bottled in the distinctive round bottle that has been a hallmark of this historic brand for nearly two hundred years. Still in family hands after six generations, in Hungary Unicum is not just a drink, but a national treasure. The Zwack family kept the tradition, but did not forget the innovation. They have combined two Hungarian specialties: an ancient Hungarian fruit, plum and the national shot of Hungary, Unicum. This “marriage” led to the first herbal liqueur, called Unicum Plum, which was rested on a bed of fruit. Unicum Plum, just like Unicum, is made from the distillation and maceration of over 40 carefully selected herbs and spices. During the making of Unicum Plum, the dried plums and Unicum rest together and are aged in oak barrels. Its special taste is reached by the excellent quality of the dried plums. To reach maximum quality, the fresh plum is carefully dried to keep the taste of the fruit. What happens next? Unicum Next was launched in 2004, created to please those who like sweet bitters. The secret of its harmonious taste is the combination of carefully selected herbs and spices and tasty citrus fruits. The final taste is reached by ageing in oak barrels. The result of a special recipe is a light, easy

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to drink spirit. The character of this special drink is brought to life most intensively as an ice-cold shot. So there is a lot to taste and only one place to visit. You can find the Zwack Unicum Heritage Visitors’ Center in Budapest, where an exhibition follows the bitter and sweet story of the Zwack family, from the AustroHungarian Empire through two wars and the communist era. The museum also has the largest collection of miniature bottles in Europe, up to 15,000 pieces. I strongly recommend that you all take advantage of this opportunity. We have given you the first sip of the traditional Unicum, but you have to discover its two brothers with your roommates. Take home some bottles to your parents and friends, and if you want to remember the taste of Hungary in the future, just buy some Zwack Unicum. You can find it nearly everywhere in Europe. Cheers!

welcome to hungary

The Great Hungarian Plain

Great Hungarian Plain, a flat, fertile lowland, southeastern Hungary, also extending into eastern Croatia, northern Serbia, and western Romania. Its area is 40,000 square miles (100,000 square km), about half of Hungary.

t is divided into major topographic regions, one of them is Hortobágy. This region became one of the symbols of the country with it’s shepherds, folklore and autochthonous environment. The most famous sight of Hortobágy is the so called Kilenclyukú-bridge, which is the longest vehicular bridge in Hungary. The Shepherds’ Museum is not far from the bridge, which allows us to have and insight of the everyday life of a Hungarian shepherd. If you are looking for a great Hungarian meal, you should visit the Hortobágyi Csárda, which is more than 300 years old and they serve traditional Hungarian dishes. Moreover lot of Hungarian artist, poets and musicians were inspired by this region. Hungarians are well known from their great horsemanship and equestrian culture has also great traditions in the Hortobágy.

Numerous horse riding shows take place in the area. You can also explore the beauty of the Hungarian steppe by going on a ride in a horse-driven cart. The third largest city and the regional center of the Great Plain is Szeged. This city is the higher education center of southern Hungary and has built quite a reputation for itself. Thousands of students study there, many of whom are foreign students, so in this aspect it’s quiet similar to Budapest. Just like other parts of Hungary the Great Plain also abounds in thermal springs that feed the numerous medicinal baths and spas in the settlements of this area. Many of the spas and the treatments offered gained reputation all over the world. The curative waters are beneficial for rheumatic problems, arthritis, and they’re also a source of relaxation.

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Dunántúl Hills

This Spectacular landscape with smaller hills all around is one of the most diverse region of Hungary. The city of Pécs representing a unique cultural experience, as it won the European Cultural Capital award.

he regions wonderful forests are the best place for hikers. It offers great opportunities to have a nice trip without getting you totally exhausted by the end of the day, as thehills there, are not too high. It is worthwhile to visit some of its lovely villages in this region. If you like horse riding, book an apartment and discover the intimate atmosphere of the region on horseback. There are numerous seasonal folk markets where you can find the most authentic handcrafts, and the so called Hungaricums (typical Hungarian goods). Treasure hunting is a great adventure that you can enjoy in the Mecsek hill. Get your GPS and try to find the “geo-boxes” hidden

by others. There are lots of boxes hidden, you just need to know how to use the GPS well and get the exact coordinates. You can get the coordinates of the boxes from http:// www.geocaching.hu. Then you just need to seek out the exact spot where the box is placed, which may be covered by leafs, roots or it may be in a hole split in a rock. The region is very famous for its different wine regions such as Villány. It produces its most typical red wine that is sold all around the world. If you are looking for some authentic experience where you can also relax, then you should take a trip which includes wine tasting nights, wellness and many more. Tourist agencies offer different set of programs for all age groups.

western hungary

The western part of Hungary is a relatively more developed and interesting part of the country. It is a region that is close to both Austria and Slovenia, and it is a place providing easy access to many beautiful sites not only on the territory of Hungary but those of neighbours as well.

wo of its largest and most interesting towns are Sopron and Szombathely, places well connected by railway to the capital, Budapest. They are both interesting and historically significant Hungarian towns. Sopron is a town with around 55000 inhabitants. It is a beautiful place, with its attractive baroque square and many old churches; there is also a 13th century Synagogue. It is a famous place for the production of the Soproni beer, one of the best Hungarian beers – and the factory producing it is well worth a visit! History remembers the town via an event that took place on August 19, 1989, when the “PanEuropean Picnic” took place near Sopron, that is, when the “Iron Curtain” between

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Austria and Hungary was lifted for a few hours, allowing some hundred DDR citizens to cross the border into Hungary. Szombathely is the 10th largest - and the oldest - city in Hungary. Principal things to see in Szombathely are the Ruin Garden (Romkert), with remnants of the Amber Road, the ruins of the shrine of the goddess Isis (Iseum), a beautiful Cathedral, etc. A very interesting annual Savaria Historical Carnival occurs in mid-to-late August, too, with colourful Roman-era programmes, including gladiator fights. The region offers many natural locations for hiking and relaxation. The most beautiful area is Örség National Park, which is covered with diverse forests and fresh green meadows, all having much endemic flora and rich fauna.

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Region of the Lake Balaton

Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Central Europe, and it is located in the western part of Hungary. The southern coast is the perfect place for bathing for families with young children, as the water there is shallow. In the summer, the water temperature may reach around 28-30°C, so it’s best for swimming and bathing from mid-July until the beginning of September. The southern coast is very flat, while the northern side is bounded by volcanic mountains.

he biggest city in the region, Siófok, is in the southern part of the lake. It’s a modern tourist resort with high-quality hotels, discos and clubs. Owing to its great nightlife, it is a favored location for young people during the summer. The Tihany peninsula - on the north side juts deeply into the lake; and this is a cultural centre. The famous Benedictine Abbey sits on the top of its hill. An important educational centre is Keszthely, where the renowned agricultural university is located. Also, you can find here one of the most beautiful Baroque castles, Festetics, where theatrical performances of artistic works are held. A

world-famous thermal site, Hévíz, is to be found next to Keszthely, too - whose thermal waters, which are great for the treatment of rheumatism amongst other complaints, are visited from all over the world throughout the year. Around Balaton, there are many tourist sites. Bicycle routes and tourist trails also make their way around the lake. It is possible in almost every village to rent windsurfing equipment or a boat (though one should note here that jet skis and motor-boats are not allowed on the lake). Lake Balaton is not only popular in the summer, but during the winter, too – for if the water freezes, one can ice-skate or go ice-sailing on its surface.

The Little Plain

This part of the countryside is in the north-western part of Hungary, and is is practically flat. The River Danube and its tributaries - such as the Rába, the Répce, the Rábca as well as the Lajta, which come from the south - have had a great influence when they flood the plains.

he lower-lying areas are covered with swamps and reed-beds, which are called “hany”, and they have given the area the name “Hanság”. In the 1950’s, the swamps were drained so as to provide more farmland for the economic plans of the communist dictatorship. Via this, one of the richest wetland areas of Europe was destroyed. However, today most of the Hanság region is protected as a National Park, and persons are trying to restore the unique moor-land. The most important tourist sights of the Kisalföld are the settlements of Győr, Sopron and Mosonmagyaróvár. Győr was called Arrabona, as it was founded by the Celts in the 5th century. Győr can be found half-way between Budapest and Vienna. Architectural, cultural and natural values reveal themselves here. In Hungary,

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Győr is the second richest city as regards monuments; and the city won the European prize for monument protection owing to its baroque reconstruction work. This city is a place of festivals, too, where lovers of arts can find programs to their liking all year long. Sopron is 220 km far from Budapest. The loyalty gate is a very famous symbol of Sopron, as in a 1921 referendum Sopron chose to remain a part of Hungary (instead of being Austrian). One can find a picturesque natural environment here; and it is one of the most pleasant resort locations within Hungary, too. Mosonmagyaróvár has very beautiful historical buildings and there is also a medieval street grid. It is a historic town; it is famous for its thermal baths too - here, the curative water is among the five best curative waters in Europe!

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The North Hunga rian Mountains

After seeing the most amazing places in Budapest, it’s likely you will be interested in visiting other places too. If you are looking for something special, the North Hungarian Mountains could be a good choice. It’s in the northern, mountainous part of Hungary, and is a beautiful spectacle in our country.

he North Hungarian Mountains include several mountains (Börzsöny, Cserhát, Mátra, Bükk, Zempléni), while Hungary’s highest mountain peak is here, too: Kékes. Here, one can additionally find several several natural parks – Bükki, Aggteleki, Duna-Ipoly natural parks. Besides natural parks there are other marvellous sights, too. The most famous in this area is a part of UNESCO World Heritage: Hollókő is a village that is known world-wide for its typical, traditional architecture. Then there is Aggtelek Karst, with its abundance of caves; and Tokaj with its dreamy valleys and historical wine region. You must see all of them! For persons who would like to see bigger cities, Miskolc is a good choice. It’s in the centre of the Northern part of the

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country, and is Hungary’s fourth biggest city. Miskolc has many cultural sights - and has a special atmosphere! One quarter of Miskolc is Diósgyőr, which is a wonderful place too - it possesses a more than 600-year-old castle, which is well worth visitors’ seeing. Another good option if one is interested in Hungarian culture is Eger. The Basilica, the minaret, its great museums and its castle give a really special feeling! Eger is well known for its delicious and world famous wine, too: Bikavér (’Bull’s blood’). You need to taste it! After sightseeing, one should then wind down and go bathing in a special place. Egerszalók, Bükkszék or the greatest location for this - Miskolctapolca, with its cave bath - can also give a person memorable and refreshing moments.

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Budapest

Budapest is a vibrant city: it throbs with life morning, noon and night; visitors arriving from other countries get the feeling that something interesting is happening round every corner. Some fall in love with Budapest at first sight, others will only become devotees after a longer stay, but no one denies that it is one of the most beautifully situated cities in the world.

here are plenty of other capital cities built on the banks of a river, and in many cases the river runs through the historic centre. But such a wide and majestic river, as the Danube at Budapest is, is more of a rarity. Even more exceptional is the perfect contrast between the right and left banks. Buda is built upon hills; the feet of two of them – Castle Hill and Gellért Hill – almost stand in the water. Facing it is Pest, as flat as a pancake (or, as a Hungarian might say, as flat as a “lángos,” pitatype bread popular for many centuries). It’s no exaggeration to say that Budapest is one of the finest capital cities in Europe. Among the several places in Hungary that have been afforded the classification of UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first were the Danube panorama (on the Buda side from the Gellért Hotel all along Castle Hill to Margaret Bridge, and on the Pest side from the Parliament back down to Petőfi Bridge), and Andrássy út (along its entire length from the centre of Pest to Heroes’ Square, where the Millenary Monument stands on the edge of the City Park). Budapest, now home to 1,7 million inhabitants, could appear countless times on any list of

superlatives. The Continent’s first underground railway was built here. More pioneering Hollywood film makers originated from here than from any other European cities. Budapest was the home of such world class inventors as Kálmán Kandó, the father of electric railways, and János Irinyi, one of the early developers of matches. Hungary’s two most celebrated composers – Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály – lived in Budapest, and Nobel Prize-winning Hungarian author Imre Kertész was born here. Hungary’s oldest academic library, the University Library, is to be found here. It is the location of Europe’s largest synagogue. It is the only capital city in the world where there are more than one hundred hot thermal springs. There are no other cities of comparable size anywhere where visitors can explore dripstone (stalactite) caves in the middle of the residential districts. It would be difficult to find another city where visitors are faced with such a choice of transport: bus, tram, trolleybus, train, underground railway, cogwheel railway, funicular, forest railway, horse-andtrap, chairlift, boat, bicycle, rickshaw, and on Margaret Island “bringóhintó” family cycle cars – Budapest has them all!

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Highlights of Budapest

oldest part of the Hungarian capital. I wouldn’t recommend you to take the Cable Car, since it’s very expensive. Spare that money to visit the Matthias Church which is next to the Fisherman Bastion and the National Gallery just inside the Royal Palace. You can use the nearby stairs to get there with no problem. You can’t miss one of our best museums, the Hospital in the Rock, which was made from a secret nuclear bunker and field hospital used during the World War II. Finally, you can try to find the Statue of András Hadik, “the most hussar of hussars”. If you look very close, you’ll see that the horse’s testicles are shiny yellow; generations of engineering students have touched them on the morning of difficult exams. It allegedly brings luck. The other side, Pest, has also plenty of sightseeing places. Several can be found, if you just walk along Andrássy Avenue, the most beautiful boulevard of Budapest. You’ll see the Opera House, the House of Terror, and under the avenue, you can find the first subway system of continental Europe, the Millenium Underground. Heroes’ Square stands at the end of the road, which is also the main entrance of the City Park. It’s one of the largest public parks of Budapest, where you can find

Vajdahunyad Castle, the Széchenyi Bath, and the City Lake - where you can go iceskating or paddle boating, depending on the season. Dohány Street Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Europe and really a unique one. I highly recommend that you don’t miss the Jewish Museum just inside. Behind the building, you can walk around in the former Jewish quarter, which is now the heart of Budapest’s nightlife, containing several ruin pubs. That’s my list, so… „Th-th-th-that’s all folks!”

There are plenty of parklands, so you can relax a little bit with your friends with a bottle of Hungarian wine

There are plenty of sights to see and hundreds of places to visit. So it’s not a big surprise, if you feel a little bit confused and you just can’t decide where to start. You have a lot to do in the next few months; I am quite sure of it and I want to ensure that you won’t miss any of the main attractions. So here is my subjective guideline to visiting Budapest, made especially for you.

irst of all, Budapest has two parts: the eastern part is called Pest, which is flat as a pancake; and on the other side you can see the bumpy Buda. Now it’s really easy to decide which side you are on, just look around. Do you see hills? If the answer is “yes”, then you’re in Buda. In Buda you can find the highest point of Budapest, Gellért Hill. At the top, the Liberty Statue has guarded Budapest day-

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and-night since the end of the World War II. There are plenty of parklands, so you can relax a little bit with your friends with a bottle of Hungarian wine. You shouldn’t miss the Gellért Hill Cave, where you can find the chapel and the monastery of the Pauline Order. Next to the bottom of the hill you can see the Gellért Baths, which is one of the most beautiful thermal spas in our wonderful city. Let’s stay in Buda, and visit Castle Hill, the

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Upcoming events in Budapest

CONCERTS

Ennio Morricone – 15 February Maestro Ennio Morricone will conduct a remarkable and long-awaited concert in the Capital of Hungary – Budapest. The concert will take place at the Papp László Aréna on the 15th February 2014. Deep Purple - 17 February Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Steve Morse, and Don Airey (Mark VIII) continue to travel the scope of hard rock — the textures and nuances of recent works are anything but thudding retreads. If you play the band’s entire catalogue at random you will hear one of the finest musical outputs to grace rock music.

Robbie Williams – 25 April After his amazing recent one-off performance at the London Palladium, Robbie Williams announced a full tour in 2014 centered around his new album „Swings both ways”, and one of his destinations is Budapest. The concert will be held in Papp László Aréna.

EXHIBITIONS

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Figure Skating and Ice Dance Championship in Europe – 13-19 January The 2014 European Figure Skating Championships will be a senior international figure skating competition in the 2013–2014 season. The competition will be held in January 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. Skaters will compete in the disciplines of men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pairs, and ice dancing. WMA Indoors 2014 in Budapest 25-30 March Another very famous sport event that will be held in Budapest. If you are interested in athletics or want to have an unforgettable experience, you should attend this event for sure. If you think you have seen it all, come to the 2014 World Masters Athletics Indoor Championship and think again!

Water Polo Championships – 13-26 July The 2014 Men’s European Water Polo Championships will be held in Budapest July 13–26, 2014. The structure of the championships is that there will be two groups of six teams followed by a knockout phase. The first three teams in each group will qualify to compete for the championship, with the first-place teams given a pass to the semifinals. The last three teams in each group play a classification tournament for 7th–12th place.

Skaters will compete in the disciplines of men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pairs, and ice dancing

Lord of the Dance – 8 March Michael Flatley, creator and director of this award-winning international dance phenomenon, has proven his vision that hearts and minds, united through music and dance, cross all traditional boundaries. His Lord of the Dance continues to shatter box office records all over the world, leaving audiences breathless and clamoring for more.

CAPA + September 18 – January 12. What was Robert Capa? A restless migrant who could never settle down? A photo-reporter and war journalist who was also a writer and film-maker? A hero, praised by the best writers of his generation? A charmer loved by women? A man with a passion for gambling? If you want to find out the exhibition can be seen in the Hungarian National Museum.

SPORTS

TRIUMPH OF PERFECTION – rAPHAEL – December 18 - March 30 The Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest has preserved six drawings by Raphael and numerous sheets by his pupils - each significant print was made in close collaboration with Raphael. The sixty-five masterpieces in the exhibition demonstrate Raphael’s genius as well as the next generation’s relation to his unparalleled artistic legacy. It is the first occasion that the Esterházy Madonna is exhibited in the context of drawings.

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One night in Budapest

According to various wellknown travel magazines, Budapest is one of the coolest cities in the world. Which is not surprising! This city is filled with creative, cool, and unique places for any kind of purposes. Let’s check out where to drink and where to dance near to the Corvinus University!

BoB If you want to visit the hottest place with a wonderful location but you desire a high society athmosphere, you have found your dream spot. BoB faces the Danube, and is the original Bacardi Bar in Budapest with a very wide range of cocktail selections. It is located next to the Gresham Palace and the Chain Bridge. With quite a good athmosphere, great cocktails and good snacks on a normal price, BoB is a perfect place to hang out at night with friends. The place itself is furnished as a street in an American city which makes it unique. A Fashionable place in a historical site. From the university: 2 tram, get off at Szécheny tér Address: Szécheny tér 7-8. Table reservation: +36 70 333 2161

Kolor This is a place that used to be an empty spot in the capital city but now it is one of the top night sites that you must visit. This is the Gozsdu udvar which is filled with restaurants, bars, and clubs. There you can find a club & bar, Kolor, which is always full as well. There you can drink any kind of alcoholic beverage, or if you get hungry you can also eat some of the snacks. Moreover Kolor organises many different kinds of parties. This place is also famous for its liberal and metropolitan athmosphere. So don’t hesitate just go and drink some of the „house specialtities” at the border of the Jewish Quarter. From the university: 47, 49 tram get off at Deák Ferenc tér Address: Budapest, Király utca (Gozsdu udvar) 13. Phone: +36 20 611 3779

VakEgér Pub It is a famous place with natives and tourists alike. If we visit this trendy underground (literally) place we will understand why is it famous. Pleasing lights, good music, and fair prices. Actually the full name is VakEgér Tőzsdekocsma, which means „Blind Mouse Stock Exchange Pub” which refers to the fact that it’s underground and that the beverage prices are on the screen that shows the changes of „share” prices. Go there and drink a „Kamikaze”! Enjoy! Don’t forget to reserve a table because it is full every weekend. From the university: It’s near Deák Ferenc tér so you can reach by the tram 49, 47. Address: Budapest, Paulay Ede utca 2. Table reservation: +36 1 266 0270

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Moulin Rouge In Budapest the „poshest” quarter is obviously by Andrássy út. That area is full of luxorious shops, sights, historical palaces, the Opera House... There’s a street called, Nagymező utca, which is the „theatre district”. There used to be a theatre there which is now run as one of the best discos in the city centre. If you like the fusion of old and new, of elegance and fashion than you must visit this disco & restaurant. It used to be the copy of Moulin Rouge in Paris with a revue performance, but now that kind of show is only held for special events. However, the building remained a beautiful theatre where different kinds of parties are held from Wednesday until Saturday. We can dance under guilded ceiling to House, R&B, and more kinds of disco music played by the best Djs of Hungary. There’s a dress code that ensures that only people who respect this amazing site of Budapest are allowed to get in. From the university: 47,49 tram until Deák Ferenc tér, change to metro line M1 (yellow) until Oktogon, get off and walk backwards. Address: Budapest, Nagymező utca 17. Table reservation: +36 70 411 8130

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Baths: The Turkish Empire in Budapest

Are you stressful? Would you like to relax a bit? Then it’s time to discover some baths in Budapest. Have fun and take care! Gellért Thermal Bath This bath is world-wide known and highly favoured by tourists, built in secession style, opened its gates in 1918. During spring and summer one of the most popular attractions is the wave-bath. Its thermal baths department is an unique place for relaxing.

Ruinpubs: the hidden corners of downtown

Budapest is well-known for its historical landscapes, but what about the hidden treasures of the city? Infinite creativity of Hungarians and city heritage gave birth to these unusual places of nightlife, to the so-called ruinpubs

hese locations offer very special atmospheres. The pubs reflect the combination of ruined things, such as furniture with the modern solutions. It is just up to your attention to decide what is a century old or just pretend to be antique. These pubs are indeed very eye-catching. Just to mention some of them. Szimpla Kert (Simple Garden) is really serves as a cult place. Very charming pub, every piece of it has its own story, such as nothing can be compared with the table made from an old Trabant car. Apart from nightlife, this is the place where you can see bicycle fairs, enjoy open-air cinema, or just drop your houseplants for safe keeping and care. They have a to-do list of 100 things you should do in Budapest. Everybody should go through

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this, then you can say, you really know the city. http://www.szimpla.hu/budapest/ home/100-programs/463-101-things Another interesting place to visit is Instant. You can find it in the Nagymező street, which is two tenement houses opened into one big venue. There are plenty of half-lit rooms to chill and drink, also on weekends you can find DJ’s and bands playing on one of the stages. There are some places located closer to the university, for example the high-end Púder, which is a transition beetween ruinpub and restaurant. Another place nearby is the socalled Csendes, which is always crowded, and has a very interesting interior design. Be adventurous to explore these masterpieces. You can even take the Budapest Underground tour to the must see these spots!

Széchenyi Thermal Bath It is one of the largest spa complexes in Europe and also the first thermal bath of Pest. The complex includes a thermal section, beach sites, hospital and the socalled fancy baths with whirling corridor, underwater effervescence production, neck shower, water beam back massage many other services. It’s a good place to forget about everyday life stress! Rudas Thermal Bath Beyond the miraculous Turkish bath and swimming pool, operating as a therapeutic swimming facility, in its hall you can try the popular drinking cure from water of the springs Hungária, Attila and Juventus.

Lukács Thermal Bath This modernized baths complex includes open-air pools, hydrotherapy department, fancy pool equipped with a whirling corridor, underwater effervescence, neck shower, water beam back massage hidden in the seat banks, whirlpool, geysers and effervescent bed and two swimming pools. Király Thermal Bath The construction of this Bath was begun by Arslan, the Pasha of Buda in 1565. It’s a combination of the old with the new, and preserving its monumental character, found even in the name of the Bath. Stemming from the name of the family, it translates from Hungarian (Király=King=König). Hajós Alfréd National Swimming Pool The pool is located on the Margaret Island. With its 25, 33 and 50 metres pools this complex offers you the best facilities to do some workout. The ticket prices are favorable.

Offical website of thermal bathes: www.budapestgyogyfurdoi.hu

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Traveling and Living in Budapest

You can’t discover Budapest on foot. While our public transport is quite good (in terms of frequency), and everything you might need has a reasonable price, it’s always better to plan ahead. Here we give advices to make traveling and living in Budapest as easy as possible.

Public Transport in Budapest (BKV) Budapest is a lucky town regarding the public transportation. Due to its developed public transport network, all parts of the city are easily accessible. More than 180 buses, 14 trolleys, 29 trams and 3 metro lines are at your command. Beware of free-riding (fare dodging) on the services, because there are a number of ticket controllers on the vehicles.

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Ticket prices: – Single ticket HUF 350 –D iscount coupon book of 10 tickets HUF 3000 –B udapest monthly student pass HUF 3450 More information about schedules and prices: www.bkv.hu/en/ Although there are several night buses running throughout the city, it is advised to use a cab at night. From your mobile, call: 06-1-(number)

Here are the phone numbers of some cab service companies: 6×6 taxi 6-666-666 Tele5taxi 8-555-555 Citytaxi 2-111-111 Főtaxi 2-222-222 Taxi Plus: 8-888-000 Accommodation It is suggested that students rent a flat or share a rented flat; this is what most international students do. The International Office makes every reasonable effort to provide assistance in finding suitable accommodation. At the beginning of each semester, a list of some real estate agencies is issued in the Information Letter, which may help international students to find accommodation. Please note, however, that the University does not have an agreement with these agencies, so we cannot guarantee their prices,rental conditions, quality of cooperation, etc. It is advisable to ask the Hungarian Tandempartner for help in finding accommodation. It is also recommended that students look for a place to stay for the first couple of days (temporary accommodation e.g. in a hostel) and look for apartments to rent for themselves. It is very important to read the rental agreement carefully before paying or signing anything! You can find a large variety of offers onthe Corvinus Home webpage: www.corvinushomes.com Visa, residence permit Information on the regulations concerning the visa and the residence permit can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Hungary (http:// konzuliszolgalat.kormany.hu/en) or at the diplomatic and consular missions of Hungary(see the Ministry website for the list). International students are highly recommended to consult the relevant authorities (and their websites) at least 2 months before the beginning of their studies. Students from non-EEA countries (non-EEA nationals) 1. Application at home Upon receipt of the Letter of Acceptance from the Corvinus University of Budapest, students from non EEA countries (non-EEA nationals) must hand in their

application for a residence permit for the purpose of studies at the Hungarian Embassy in their home country. (It is very much recommended that all non-EEA citizens – even those who are eligible to enter Hungary without a visa for up to 90 days – apply for a visa for residence permit BEFORE coming to Hungary.) In case of successful application, the students obtain a visa – for the purpose of studies – authorizing them to a single entry toreceiving the residence permit and to stay for a maximum of 30 days in Hungary. 2. What to do in Hungary The decision on the residence permit falls within the scope of the regional directorates of the Office of Immigration and Nationality. The students must visit the Office of Immigration and Nationality and obtain their residence permit within 30 days from the day of entry. All non-EEA nationals must, at all times during their stay and studies here, have a valid residence permit allowing them to study in Hungary. Those international students who are staying at Corvinus for a longer period of time – for more than one semester – are obliged to have the residence permit renewed before it expires. Please note that renewal of the residence permit must be initiatedat least 30 days before it expires. The regulations for the registration of the place of residence and the residence permit can also be found on the website of the Office of Immigration and Nationality (www. bmbah. hu) and/or of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Students from EEA countries (EEA nationals) must obtain their certificate of registration at the regional directorate competentfor the place of residence within 3 onthsfrom the day of entry. All international students are also responsible for registering their housing

Budapest is a lucky town regarding the public transportation corvinusoffline 35

er asmus and the city address at the regional directorate competent for the place of residence. Each student will receive an “address ID card” which is obligatory for all people residing in Hungary. In general, all international students have to notify the authorities about their place of residence soon after arrival and within 3 days after any changes taking place. Embassies and Consulates The most up-to-date list of diplomatic and consular representations in Hungary can be found on the Website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www. mfa.gov.hu/kum/en/bal/ missions/missions_in_ hungary).

Telephone Emergency Numbers All of the following numbers are free of charge and can be dialled from all public phones or mobile phone. – General emergency 112 – Ambulance 104 – Fire Department 105 – Police 107

Health Insurance All international students are recommended to insure themselves in their home country. Valid health insurance for the duration of your stay in Hungary is obligatory (if your health insurance card does not specifically state that it is valid for EU member states or that is valid specifically for Hungary, please ask your insurance company to supply you with an official letter to this effect as the Hungarian Immigration Authorities may need this statement when you arrive to Budapest). NB: The health insurance must provide full coverage; emergency health insurance will not be accepted.

Mobile/Cell phones There are 3 major companies which provide mobile phone services: T-Mobile – www.tmobile.hu Telenor – www.telenor.hu Vodafone – www.vodafone.hu

Cost of Living Students need about EUR 450-750 per month to cover living expenses. Accommodation: about EUR 150-400 per month per person, depending on the size and location of the flat as well as on the number of students sharing it. Living costs: about EUR 200-400 per month (food, transport, miscellaneous). Academic related expenses: about EUR 50-100 per semester (student ID, books, photocopying, etc.).

National Holidays Easter (Sunday and Monday) Labour Day (May 1) Whit Monday St. Stephen’s Day (August 20) Memorial Day of the 1956 Revolution (October 23) All Saints’ Day (November 1) Christmas (December 25, 26)

Money Matters Cash, travellers’ cheques and Eurocheques can be changed at banks and travel offices. Post offices almost always change cash, but rarely cheques. Using private exchange offices can be convenient but expensive. Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are widely accepted at stores, and there are numerous ATM machines where they can be used to withdrawcash.

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International Phone Calls To make an international phone call, dial: 00 – country code – area code – local phone number.

Opening Hours National and Public Holidays – The University Is Closed New Year’s Day (January 1) Memorial Day of the 1848 Revolution (March 15),

Banks It may vary, but banks are usually open on weekdays between 8.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m., except on Fridays, when they close at 12.00 a.m. Post Offices are open from 8.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m. Pharmacies are open from 8.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m. Shops, Stores On weekdays most stores are open from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Grocery stores usually open earlier, from 7.00 a.m. or 8.00 a.m., and close later. At the weekend most of the stores which are not located in shopping centers are open only during the morning hours of Saturday. Shopping malls offering multiple services are exceptions to these rules. There are several food stores that are open around the clock.

university life

The CUB Story

The Corvinus University of Budapest is the most prestigious university of economics and business in Hungary.

n 1920, there already existed a Faculty of Economics at the Royal Hungarian University, which was considered to be the forerunner of the establishment. In 1948, the University of Economics became an independent organisation and moved to its current location. In the last almost hundred years, the university has gone through a lot of changes. In 1953, it was renamed the Karl Marx University of Economic Sciences. Following the regime change in 1990 the Marx’s name was rejected, and it became the Budapest University of Economic Sciences. 10 years later, the College of Public Administration was integrated into the university, which resulted in its new name: the Budapest University of Economic Sciences and Public Administration (BUESPA). In 2003, the university was extended again by the integration of three faculties of the University of Horticulture (Szent István University). At this time, seven independent faculties with different professional profiles existed at the university –which fact called for a new change. Considering the diversity of the faculties it would have been a hard task

to come up with a name which describes all of them equally – and for this reason there came the idea of giving an absolutely distinct name to the university, i.e. one that did not refer to any of the faculties. All of this brings us to the current name of the establishment: the Corvinus University of Budapest. The name refers to the Hungarian king, Matthias Corvinus, who ruled the country from 1458 to 1490. Matthias the Just probably did not think that, 500 years later, a university would exist that was named after him – and whose motto is also one used by the king: Scientia mea – adiutor meus (My knowledge is my helper). The six faculties – the Faculty of Economics, Social Sciences, of Business Administration, of Horticultural Science, Food Science, and of Landscape Architecture – together make the CUB into one of the best universities in Hungary. On 1st January 2012, structural changes occurred once more, meaning that the University became the new Faculty of Public Administration. This history makes us proud to be a part of this University, and just getting into it is an achievement in itself, for it gives the best education in its field.

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Campuses on both sides of the Danube On both sides of the Danube lies Buda and Pest. Together, they make one of the most exciting and beautiful cities in Europe. That is equally true to our university: it has campuses on both sides, and together it makes Corvinus University, which is as exciting and beautiful as Budapest itself.

hhe Közgáz Campus is situated in the historical centre of Budapest, on the Pest side of the river Danube, next to the Liberty Bridge. There are three buildings: the Fővámpalota (Main Toll Palace), is the main building, and is also the official centre of the University. This was built by Miklós Ybl. Originally, the building was not destined for educational purposes, as its names indicates. The IT centre of the university can be found in a smaller building called – the Sóház (Salthouse) - right next to the main building. The Information Technology Centre (ITC) is in charge of the maintenance of all computers operating at Corvinus University. Support, Software installation and a general help for users is also provided here. In other words, the ITC maintains the university’s computer network. The university took over a new building in the Közraktár Street in 2007. As a result of a major development project, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Central Library and the financial and administrative departments of the university can now be found here. This new building fits in with the local architectural style perfectly with its 40.000 m2 floor space - from which 23.000 m2 serves educational purposes. In the Campus, which consists of three faculties, there are more than 8000 students, which fact makes it the most exciting and stimulating environment on weekdays. There are many student organisations, and each of them has a different profile, so everybody can find a

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suitable organisation for themselves. When you enter the main building, you always find a big crowd in the hall. In term-time, there are programmes or parties continually , so our life is always full of exciting events. This university has the highest quality of economic education in the country. The Centre for Foreign Language Education and Research of Corvinus University (IOK) provides students an opportunity to study various foreign languages from beginner to advanced level. The language laboratory is available to all registered students who present a valid Corvinus University ID card. This laboratory is equipped with a wide range of audio and video materials for all languages taught at the university (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese and Arabic) as well as a multi-media laboratory, computer software and listening comprehension facilities. The buildings of the Faculty of Food Science, the Faculty of Horticulture and the Faculty of Landscape Architecture are located on the Buda Campus, which is on the other side of river Danube. That is also the home of the Entz Ferenc Library and Archives and serves as an essential scientific centre of agricultural knowledge. The Buda Botanical Garden is the gem of this campus, boasting over 1700 species of trees and shrubs and hundreds of bulbs, perennials, annuals and container-grown plants. This garden is not only a place of learning and teaching – it is also a place of leisure for both students and teachers.

Bachelor programmes at the Buda Campus Faculty of Food Science Food Engineering The seven semester-long, high-quality education providing Food Engineering programme’s last half-year is an internship, where students can utilize their knowledge acquired over three years. After completing the second year, several different specializations are available to students, which determine their third year and the topic of their thesis. Bioengineering The Bioengineering programme also lasts seven semesters, and its structure is the same as Food Engineering’s. In this field, students acquire the basics of bio–, environment– and chemical engineering. Viticulture and Enology Engineer The Engineer in Viticulture and Enology programme is an independent BSc programme lasting only three years, yet it has a very long history. The knowledge acquired during the seven semester-long course is an excellent basis to flourish the Hungarian winery. Faculty of Horticultural Science Agricultural Engineering in Agricultural Computing and Policy Administration IT knowledge is essential for everyday life, and this pairs itself with the high quality tuition of economics in this programme. After getting one’s Bachelor’s degree, students can immediately find jobs in several different areas as they will have acquired basic knowledge with which to handle business, IT and applied law issues. Horticulture This seven semester-long programme’s goal is to

train experts in horticulture - persons able to manage and organize production processes for an enterprise; they will also be able to perform basic professional management and advisory tasks; or they might establish private, self-supporting horticultural farms, operating them in an economically-viable way; and they will be persons with knowledge in the field of distribution, processing and in the storing of products. Agricultural Engineering in Environmental Management This programme trains experts who are able to carry out directing and executive tasks concerning the controlled utilization, effective protection and planned development of the agricultural environment; while such persons will additionally be able to effectively enforce principles of environmental management in the practices of sustainable agriculture, and environment and landscape protection. Direct continuative education is possible at the new (and in Hungary, unique) Ecological Management Msc. Faculty of Landscape Architecture The Faculty of Landscape Architecture, founded in 1992, is the only university programme in the country dealing with landscape, nature and the built environment’s open and green spaces. The faculty currently runs two kinds of courses: the Basic course which contains of 6 semesters of education and 1 semester of practice work. After four semesters students have to choose specialization from ’Garden design’, ’Landscape architecture’ or ’Urbanism’. The faculty provides 3 Master courses: ’Landscape architecture’ (which contains Garden and open space design, Landscape protection and rehabilitation, and Landscape design and regional development), ’Urban design’ and ’Master of Arts’.

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Bachelor Programmes on the Közgáz Campus A brief look into our academic life Faculty of Business Administration The Faculty of Business Administration offers high quality education based on international norms. It is the centre for education and research in business economics related issues, financial management, management and organization, business, management sciences and management practices. In addition to ensuring a chance to study foreign languages, the Faculty of Business Administration also offers degree programmes as well as numerous individual courses taught in both English and German. Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management This faculty hosts the biggest number of students, and gives them opportunity to learn about decision theory, process control, e-business and strategy and business planning. The BA/BSc programme lasts seven academic semesters and includes an obligatory, 14-week-long internship in the seventh semester. Bachelor of Arts in Sales and Marketing This Arts degree deals with marketing studies. It is also a seven-semester BA/BSc programme, and it is relatively easy for the students to get internships at a company too. Bachelor of Arts in Finance and Accounting This six academic-semester programme is seen as being one of the most difficult Arts degrees in the faculty. The subjects of finance and accounting need a lot of practice - yet they are worth it, as graduated students can easily get jobs thereafter.

Bachelor of Arts in International Business The BA in International Business programme combines studies in the major functions of business with an international perspective on commercial strategies and operations. The programme also considers the social, cultural and political dimensions of global business. For a long time this degree had the highest entrance point limit. Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality According to statistics, the Tourism and Hospitality degree is the most popular programme in the university. After economics subjects, students learn about tourism marketing or hotel and catering management. For an internship, students may then practise at a famous hotel or in the catering industry. Bachelor of Science in Business information Systems The curriculum of this Arts degree specialises in the field of mathematics and informatics. Notoriously, it has the most boy students in the faculty. Faculty of Economics The basic aim of the Faculty is to provide education and research into the field of Hungarian economic policies, embedded in a global and European context. This knowledge is further enhanced by comparative studies. Strong methological skills are usually needed for the Arts degrees. After graduation, students are equipped with the necessary knowledge to take an active role in the forming of economic policy at global as well as at European and national levels. The faculty offers a wide range of relevant topics in the areas of world economy, the European Community

This university has the highest quality of economic education in the country 40 corvinusoffline

and the CEE region, thereby providing the necessary knowledge for those individuals who wish to embark on a career in international or domestic institutions of economic management or governmental agencies. The Faculty of Economics is the flagship institution for economics education and research in Hungary. Combining excellence in research, teaching and learning, our faculty is one of the most popular and populous faculties at the Corvinus University of Budapest, with more than 1500 enrolled students and around 140 academics.The faculty has an excellent reputation as a leader in Hungary and abroad for offering high quality programmes and courses that are diverse, flexible and widely renowned. It provides a relatively wide range of undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in Hungarian and English. Bachelor of Arts in Applied Economics This BA/BSc programme has microeconomics as its basis. The curriculum includes, for example, international management, operations research, games theory and macro-modelling. After graduation, students might work as economic analysts or continue their studies to an MA level. Bachelor of Science in Economics The most difficult Arts option in the university, where the number of students has fallen by the end of the first academic year. The demanding degree has a high reputation for supplying well trained workforce in mathematics and strong methodological studies. After graduation, one can work as an economics analyst. Bachelor of Arts in Public Governance This also leads to an economics degree although students, after the fourth semester, can specialise in sectorial policies or local government. With this diploma you might then work in the civil service. Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Administration The aim of this Arts degree is to train experts who are able to economise on

human resource usage, analyse the structure and functions of the labour market or coordinate the process of reconciliation. The curriculum is mostly based on HR subjects. Faculty of Social Sciences The Faculty of Social Sciences has been rated as the country’s leading one for the study of social sciences. Theoretical developments are explored and there is the applying of social science research to practical concerns in teaching. The four institutes are the centres of undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programmes. Bachelor of Arts in International Studies With the highest entrance point limit in Hungary and the highest number of students in this faculty, the BA International Studies programme is among the most popular degrees at the national level. Students can learn about international and political relations and diplomacy. During the studies, students have the possibility to learn about subjects taught in foreign language. This degree also has a European integration specialisation. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science In this BA course, political analysis, the functions of different countries’ party system and decision-making processes are taught. The degree additionally has a policy manager specialization. Bachelor of Arts in Sociology With the smallest number of students in this faculty, this BA programme provides Hungarian and English sociology studies. It has two specialisations: Regional and Urban Development, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies As a student here, one can learn about communication theories and major forms of media. It has two specialisations too: Public Communication (political and economic journalism, media control, etc.) and Organizational Communication (negotiation skills, project management, design).

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university life institutions and the student) and the use of ECTS credits (to indicate student workload). Full academic recognition Full academic recognition is a necessary condition as redard to student mobility within the framework of the ERASMUS and other exchange programmes. This means that the abroad study period (including examinations or other forms of assessment) replaces a comparable period of study at the home university, though the content of the agreed study programme may differ.

Academic life

In the following article we would like to outline the major notions connected to the university, as these can be useful during your studies. If you need any kind of help or support, do not hesitate to contact us! (kulugy@bcehok.hu) Courses The courses, which are accessible at the university website (www.uni-corvinus.hu/ eng → Exchanges –> Incoming Students -> Courses), are the only ones available to exchange students. Students who would like to attend courses offered in Hungarian (other than language courses) should contact the faculty coordinator to let them know the subjects they are interested in. The courses offered in Hungarian can be found on the Hungarian website of Corvinus University (www.uni-corvinus.hu). Withdrawal If wishing to withdraw, selected exchange students are requested to notify their home institution as well as the responsible coordinator at Corvinus University as soon as possible in case they cancel their exchange semester. Student ID Card Exchange students are provided with a student ID card, with which they can

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have the same advantages as Hungarian students e.g. reduced fares for all public transport, reduced-price entrance tickets for museums etc. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) was established within the ERASMUS programme as a means of improving academic recognition in relation to studies done abroad. ECTS provides an instrument to create transparency, to build bridges between institutions and to widen the choices available to students. The system makes it easier for institutions to recognise the learning achievements of students through the use of commonly understood measurements – credits and grades; it also provides a means via which to interpret national systems of higher education. The ECTS system is based on three core elements: information (on study programmes and student achievement), mutual agreement (between partner

ECTS credits ECTS credits - numerical values allocated to course units to indicate the student workload - are required to complete the courses. They reflect the quantity of work each course unit requires in relation to the total quantity of work necessary to complete a semester at the institution (e.g. lectures, seminars, practical work, fieldwork, private study and examinations or other assessment activities). ECTS is thus based on a full student workload and is not limited to contact hours only. In ECTS, 60 credits represents the workload of an academic year of study, 30 credits are allotted for one semester and 20 credits for a trimester. Credits can be obtained by completing the courses in a satisfactory way. No ECTS credits are awarded if performance is unsatisfactory. Information package The information package contains the necessary information to students and staff about the faculties, institutions, departments, the organisation and structure of studies and the course units. Learning agreement The learning agreement, which covers the taken courses and the ECTS credits to be awarded upon their satisfactory completion, is approved not only by the home and the host institutions, but by the student, too. ECTS Grades An evaluation of a course is made by the grading system of the responsible university. In order to make conversion into the grading system of the home

country easier, a descriptive ECTS grading system was developed (which under no circumstances replaces the national grading system). Grading System In the Hungarian (local) grading system the top grade is 5 (excellent), the lowest grade is 1 (fail). ECTS grades at the Corvinus University of Budapest Corvinus University (Local) Grading

Equivalent ECTS Grading

Jeles

Excellent

Jó

Good

Közepes

Satisfactory

Elégséges

D/E

Pass / Sufficient

Elégtelen

Fail*

–

Nem jelent meg

DNA

Did not attend*

–

Nem vizsgázott

Incomplete*

–

Aláírva

Signed*

–

Megtagadva

Denied*

* no credit Transcript of Records The results each exchange student gets at Corvinus University are summarised in a transcript after the study period. The original copy is sent to the International Relations Office or Erasmus Office of the sending institution soon after it is ready. This usually takes place within 6 weeks after the end of semester. Students may either ask for a photocopy at the faculty they belong to (in case they are still in Budapest at the time) or pick up the original at the home institution.

The information package contains the necessary information to students corvinusoffline 43

university life

ACADEMIC CALENDAR UNIVERSITY 2013/2014 CORVINUS OF BUDAPEST Pay attention to this one. While you might already have a drink in your other hand, you should at least look responsible. So write these into your calendar, sync it to all your devices and feel like you already did something for academic success. Well done.

Events

Dates

1st (Fall) semester Orientation Day*

September 2 (12:00)

Enrolment week

September 2 – 6

First day to add and drop courses

September 3 (10:00)

Opening Ceremony (also for international students)**

September 5

First day of classes***

September 9

Last day to add and drop courses

September 15 (23:59)

Last day to withdraw from Fall 2013 courses

September 20

One-day break (CEMS Career Forum)****

November 15 (and 16)

Last day of classes

December 13

Exam period

December 16 – 20 and January 6 – 31

2nd (Spring) semester Orientation Day*

January 27 (12:00)

Enrolment week

January 27 – 31

First day to add and drop courses

January 28 (10:00)

First day of classes

February 3

Last day to add and drop courses

February 9 (23:59)

Last day to withdraw from Spring 2014 courses

February 14

Last day of classes*****

May 9

Exam period

May 12 – June 13

* Distribution of information packages. Attendance is strongly recommended! ** Budapest Congress Center, H-1123 Budapest, Jagelló út 1-3. *** First day of classes for FLA students: September 23 (two-week workshop from September 9). **** Only at Pest Campus (courses will not be held in the Main and in the New - C - Buildings). ***** Last day of classes for FLA students: April 25 (two-week workshop from April 28).

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Neptun and Moodle Most Hungarian universities use two different e-learning interfaces, called Neptun and Moodle. These two sites provide students with online content where they can easily manage their studies.

eptun gives you access to all your personal data and lets you modify it without needing to bring in any formal documents. It is also indispensable for managing your courses. Before each semester students are expected to enlist on courses via Neptun. When considering your options, you will find detailed information (lecturer, prerequisites, class schedules, exam dates, locations etc.) about each course. Once you have taken an exam, you can check your marks there. It also serves as the university’s main notification center, where you will receive important information and updates from your lecturers and administrators. You also have the opportunity to send e-mails from there. Another essential feature of Neptun is the ’Finances’ option. Here you can keep track of your payments with ease. Moodle is very similar to Neptun, although, it’s designed for other purposes. One of them is assignment submission.

When an assignment is due, the system will notify you, so that you won’t miss the deadline. If you are stuck with your assignment discussion forums will surely be of use. Students can create their own working groups to see the projects through. All the files that you will need to complete these assignments or cram for an exam you will be able to download from here. Not only compulsory materials can be found on Moodle, but also bonus exercises and suggested reading. In addition, you gain access to important online news concerning the courses and university life. And with the latest Moodle update you can manage your studies even better. To log in, use your Neptun ID as a name, and your Cusman ID as a password. Should you lose your data sheet, or face any problems, just simply visit Salthouse, where the ISZK’s co-workers will be happy to help you out. For more information, there are instruction sheets on the main page about these two electronic systems.

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university life

Libraries at Corvinus

There is no university without a library, and going there is a major part of a student’s life. Luckily, they don’t now have to read through books in dark, musty, rundown rooms - for both campuses of Corvinus University of Budapest await students with cozy, quiet libraries. Közgáz Campus Central Library The Central Library is located in building C of the Közgáz Campus. The threefloor book-palace and its modern design satisfies all requirements a student may have as regards a library. The clear design, the large open spaces and practical equipment are nothing like a classical library’s, and it is popular among students. All three faculties have their own reading room; there are also computer rooms and a research library. And if anyone wants to scan, print or similar, they can do so at any time. The library is full of students all day, even in the study period, so no one will feel alone there. Most books can be borrowed, yet it is worth spending some of one’s study time in the library. For group learning, students can reserve a consultation room, so persons can discuss issues without having to whisper! If you are looking for books or other resources, just use the catalogue-computers. The online part of the catalogue is available via the Central Library’s website, and you can even pre-order books or extend loans here, too. Online journals, TDK dissertations, theses and other information can be found on the http://lib.uni-corvinus.hu webpage. Budai Campus Entz Ferenc Library The 150-year-old library was recently moved to near the Somogyi dormitory. The new site is much larger than the previous one, so it is a lot less crowded. The new library is better equipped, quieter, looks better and has a cloakroom. There are enough power outlets, and WiFi is magnificent - so

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even the Y generation can be satisfied with conditions! As in almost every library, books can be borrowed after a short registration procedure. You can have five books out in your name at any one time. You can extend your loan or pre-order a book online - you just need to go to the catalogue’s webpage and enter your ’account’. Borrowing is free, though there is a late payment fee, so try to bring books back to the library before the deadline. The catalogue of the library can be found on the following website: http://efkl.uni-corvinus.hu Garden art Library The Garden art Library is useful mostly for students of the Faculty of Landscape Architecture. The library is on the second floor of building G. The offerings here are about the history of gardens and garden art styles. These books and documents cannot be borrowed – they are only available for reading on-site but photocopying is available.

How to shape your student life at Corvinus

Being a student at the Corvinus means not just that one has a chance to participate in high-level classes and to get a quite valuable? – it is also to be part of a vivid, unique student life. And this all begins with the activities of student organizations and colleges for advanced studies. CUB ensures an unprecedented supply of these communities.

student organization means a group of students who come from different study areas but who have (at least) one common area of interest - that they sacrifice some part of their free time! These areas of interest might be quite different: organizing (and taking part in) foreign internships, teaching high-school pupils or even undergraduate students, volunteering, organizing (and taking part in) summer universities, writing articles for the university newspaper, etc. Everybody can find an organization that is suitable for him/her! However, you may wish to deepen your knowledge in your free time, so colleges are your best choices, regardless of whether you are interested in the economics, social sciences or in landscape architecture. Both campus’

(Közgáz and the Buda Campus) of the university give you a chance to join one of these colleges. Here, you will able to take part in special courses with wellknown guest lecturers, to test and develop research skills and to participate in some quite exclusive events. These reasons should be adequate as regards persuading someone to join a student organization or a college - yet I have left the biggest motivation to the end! If you are a part of any of these organizations, then you are not alone in this huge university - you belong to a small community, can make friends and enjoy your university life at a “special level”. This is why you should consider joining a student organization or a college, for it is the best way to build up your student life and have wonderful experiences during your university years.

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Events at the Közgáz Campus Közgáz Campus has always been famous for - alongside its high-quality tuition! its events. This has not changed, and thanks to the growing number of student organizations and advanced colleges – and to the KöZGÁZ! team’s increasing activities – student life is on an unprecedent ’high’ now. During the year, all kinds of events await students almost every month: balls in the University’s building, parties held in other locations, Közgáz’s own year-end festival, and many more.

Events at the Corvinus University of Budapest Ilis nostrud ting etum dolutetuero do diat, sisi eugiam ilit lor adit am zzrillam, senibh et vel ut at dolesto od ming eugue magna commy nonsectet ut autat. Events at the Buda Campus Buda Campus Student organizations place particularly great emphasis on community organising – and the relatively smaller number of students allows for the creation of a family atmosphere, which is important in students’ lives from Freshman Camp to graduation. The first event of the academic year is the Campus Opening Party, held at the beginning of the fall semester, and which provides entertainment on two sites of building K, with different styles of music. This is followed by the Freshmen’s Ball (also in the fall, also in building K), which has an illustrious atmosphere every year, as there are high-quality programs, the freshmen’s dance, and other venues (tearoom, karaoke etc.) Major spring events are Farsang

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(Carnival) and Felező (Midpoint). The Farsang is a costume ball with a traditional carnival atmosphere; and the Felező is a party held in honor of second-year students, in which there are funny contests and arcade games.

Fall starts at the end of August, with freshman camps for new students. A student organization called ”ÖCSI” organizes this for bachelors, while the Student Council does so for masters. Here, students can meet each other via various team-building programs and night parties. After the freshman camps, the Közgáz events calendar really starts, with the first week’s KöZGÁZ! Opening Party, which always starts up the Fall semester. There is also a ”Cooltoura” series of parties organized by the KöZGÁZ! Team, which brings students to the best Budapest clubs every three or four weeks. Santa Claus Party, Ice-night, Carnival – these are just a few more events within the fall/ winter line-up. After these comes the Fall Festival: a cultural cavalcade linked to wine and pálinka-tasting on the university’s main building, followed by a hall party. Közgáz is also unique from another point of view among universities: the main building changes its normal face on certain special occasions. So that for some nights it becomes one of the city’s most atmospheric party venues – a few

thousand partying students and stages in the hall; this spectacle awaits everyone who visits Közgáz’s main building. In spring, the focus is on more comprehensive events. In February, at the start of the spring semester, Közgáz Campus holds its own Felező (Midpoint) party, which is for students who are half-way in their bachelors or masters education. This gives them an opportunity to celebrate the fact that they have now completed the first half of their time of education (or to celebrate the fact that half of it is still to come...). Spring semester has a ball too. The campus’ new tradition is the senior prom, which is for graduates. The ball is premium category: dinner in the university’s hall, a noted patron, and after the formal part, a typical, crazy Közgáz–style party. After the exams, the campus’ official Közgáz Year-end Festival awaits every student in Balatonkenese. Concerts, a party on the sands and dips into Lake Balaton. Nothing more is needed to prepare yourself for the summer...

During the year, all kinds of events await students almost every month

Apart from these, the Student Council organizes programs with the aim of community development. The spring event ”Arbortakarítás” has long traditions: it starts with agro-technical work on the site of the Buda Arboretum, and ends with a community dinner. In addition, winetastings, dorm days, exam-forgetting tours and other interesting events are organized. Based on the above, every Buda Campus student agrees that there is a unique atmosphere in all three faculties.

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university life

Restaurants and Bars near the University

In the vicinity of the university you can not only find fast food restaurants, but restaurants specialized for students with normal prices.

here are two buffets in Building E (the main building) and another one in Building C (the new building). Here you can buy basic snacks like sandwiches, pizza, and chocolate, but there are homemade cakes and muffins, too. You can also get coffee, soft drinks, water and cigarettes. Usually the queue of people waiting to buy things in Building C is longer than in Building E. Sodexho is the name of the canteen you can find in the basement of Building E. If you have enough time, it can be a good option for lunch. The biggest advantages

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are that you can pay with lunch vouchers and there is a water jug (for free) on every table. In the basement of the Kinizsi dormitory, you can find the Africafé. It operates as a canteen in the daytime, but at night is a popular party place among Corvinus students. Probably the hot-dog, the cheese burger and the cordon bleu are the best buy. They mainly cook from frozen ingredients, but they are quite good tasting. Here you can also order a beer and play a soccer game with your friends. Tao is one of the best Chinese restaurants near the university. The decor is modern, and it has an extra floor, too. In

this case you have to walk a little farther, because it is almost on Kálvin Square, but believe me, it’s worth it. It is a bit more expensive than the other Chinese restaurants, but the food is definitely the best here. You can also get vegetarian meals here. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Leves is a kind of takeaway restaurant, where you can buy soup and grilled sandwiches. Every day you can choose from four different types of sandwiches and soups, but they always change the soups for variety. The prices are student-friendly, the service is excellent (they speak good English) and the food is awesome. Here you can meet a lot of Corvinus students, because it’s one of the favorite places among them. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday. The “twin” of the Leves is Pasta which focuses on the best noodle preparation. It’s just a few steps from its liquid-serving sibling, opposite the tram stop on Kálvin Square. Every day you can choose from four types of pasta at a great price, and satisfies in terms of flavour, quality and quantity. Benches – especially in springtime - provide an excellent opportunity for chatting and dating. Pár Perc Krumpli is also a good choice for the fan of the street food. They have introduced the Belgian fried potatoes experience to Budapest. You can try it at the beginning of the Ráday Street. “39” You can find it next to Building C, in Czuczor Street. It is a perfect place to eat a hot lunch. They have 3 types of menus every day, and you can also order food a’la carte. Its biggest disadvantage is the long line during breaks, but it is reasonably priced for mostly good quality food. You can find the Kálvin Bisztró on Kálvin Square, which is a non-self-service restaurant. The food is delicious and wellpresented. Tipping is said to be “mandatory” in places like this. A lot of people have lunch here, so there aren’t always free tables. The prices are not so high.

drinks are a bit high for an average Hungarian student. Near Building C you can find the Corvinus Café. The illumination is quite bad, but the feeling is always cool. Here you can drink good cocktails for a low price, and also the variety of the drinks is quite wide. It’s a good place for a date, too. Dömi, usually called Grafika, is a great place for watching football matches. You can play a soccer game or play your favorite song on the juke-box. The spritzer (which is “fröccs” in Hungarian) and the beer are quiet cheap. Right next to Building C you can find the Coffeeshop Company, which is popular among the students. Between two classes, it’s the best place to go for a cup of warm coffee and some snacks. The prices are similar to other countries, so it’s a bit expensive for students, but believe me, it’s worth it. They offer reductions for students, which you can get with a student ID.

Those who want to get together for a beer in the afternoon or start the party in a pub can choose from a wide variety of venues. As I mentioned, Africafé operates as a pub and club in the night. The students usually organize parties or social gatherings here. The prices of the alcoholic

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university life

Sports at Corvinus No matter how many semesters you spend at our great university, you are sure to have some extra time at your disposal. A great use of this opportunity is to take up various sports at Corvius University of Budapest.

ere you pick the kind of sports you want –with no end! When you enroll in the ’Physical Education’ course in the Neptun system, you get a whole range of activites to choose from: ball games, like football, basketball and vollyball; martial arts, like judo or kickboxing; all kinds of dancing; boxing; swimming; gymnastics; etc. Due to higher expenses some membership require a small amount of contribution. These include aikido, thai-boxing, kickboxing, tennis, yoga and dancing. Hardcore players will find it most comforting that they’re welcome at the university’s varsity teams. Again, there’s basketball, volleyball, and floorball teams to be a part of. In addition, the university offers a chance to play in two different soccer leagues – an inside and an outside one. For further information about these professional sports teams, one also needs to go to the sixth floor of Building C at the ’Physical Education Department and University of Sports Center’. Should you find these sports not so attractive, there’s always another way

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to stay in shape. When you buy a season pass you are free to enter the university’s gym anytime you want. Most of these sports take place at the “Kinizsi” dormitory’s gym, which is about 200 meters from Building C of the university. Outdoor and water sports are in different locations, though information is always there when you locate the class on Neptun. At the Budai Campus, the opportunities are almost the same, though the locations are different: gym is at ’Villányi Fitness’, and other sports occur at the gymnasium in Szüret street. For more detailed information about sports, their locations, or anything similar, go to the following web page: testneveles.unicorvinus.hu /in English tab, or in person at the PE department where they could help you with anything about sports!

a whole range of activites to choose from

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Erasmus – (ex)change your life! The Erasmus Programme was established in 1987 as a European Union exchange programme. Originally it is named after the Dutch philosopher, Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam. As a Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and a theologian he lived and studied in several places in Europe to expand his knowledge and gain new insights, thereby creating the ideology of future international studies.

n the other hand ERASMUS is also an acronym meaning Eu-Ropean Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. In its first year 3.244 students participated in the program, and in the last 27 years more than 3 million Erasmus students followed them. Nowadays Erasmus means:  33 countries to explore  3.000 places in Europe to live  more than 4.000 universities with open doors  5.000 campuses to discover  23 languages to choose  more than 250.000 students per year to study abroad  and a whole world of new opportunities… Among all of these awesome possibilities, You won’t regret choosing Corvinus! BECAUSE… The Corvinus University of Budapest is rightly entitled to be proud of leading the process of becoming a recognized international university around the world. In the last 15 years our university has made huge progress to provide more and higher quality learning and training opportunities for the participating incoming and outgoing students and professors. On a national level we offer a significant number of possibilities among other universities to study or do internships in more than 280 partner institutions abroad. As the number of outgoing students is increasing, the number of incoming foreign students is also

augmenting at the same rate. Almost 5.000 foreign students attended our Hungarian or foreign language courses during recent years, receiving diplomas or obtaining valuable credits. Beside the outstanding international circulation in the higher education, the University considers the international competitive quality the most important goal in its learning programs and connections. Every year we send about 450 students and receive about 350 students in the Erasmus program. Considering this, the Corvinus University has the most incoming students from abroad in the country, which turns its atmosphere into a charming foreign language learning environment. We are not only studying at Corvinus, but maintaining an open and friendly community. We have the most student organizations in the country; all of them have a different field of interest. You can be part of it to discover a new side of your personality, to make friends with the local students, to have fun and of course, to attend the best parties and events during your stay in Hungary. I wish you an awesome Erasmus semester!

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good to k now & good to do Arrival and First Steps 1. First (after having settled at a hostel or in a rented apartment) it is strongly recommended that students attend the orientation programme advertised by the International Office. 2. T he second step is that one goes to the administrative unit (one of the faculties) that the student belongs to (based on information received at the International Office), where students enrol and get their student ID cards. 3. Registration of place of residence and/or residence permit application procedures should be done with the help of the Hungarian Tandem partner.

The International Office The International Office of Corvinus University facilitates so-called internationalisation at the University by taking care of various related activities, which could best be described as: initiation, coordination, support and representation.

ost of these activities connect up with the student exchange and the partner agreements upon which the programme is based. Each semester, Corvinus University exchanges over 200 students with more than 300 partners. The International Office: • i s responsible for signing international cooperation agreements and managing partnerships; • c oordinates and supervises the exchange programmes, e.g. ERASMUS, CEEPUS and inter-university exchanges, and this includes supervising the registration of incoming students and making a choice of ‘outgoing’ students; • c oordinates the so-called Tandem Programme (Buddy programme); • c ooperates with Student Associations (e.g. ESN Corvinus, Students’ Council) in the arrangement of programmes for incoming students; •g athers, processes and disseminates information on partner institutions, on their study programmes and on other study

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abroad possibilities; •g athers students’ study abroad reports, making them available to future candidates; •m aintains contacts with the European Commission, the National Agency, the Hungarian Scholarship Board (MÖB) etc.; •p repares (or assists in the preparation of) promotional materials, study guides and other publications relating to the University for international students, and current and prospective partners; • c arries out various tasks in relation to the arrival of international visitors, academic staff and students; • r epresents Corvinus University internationally at conferences, fairs or on other occasions.

Tandem Programme The Tandem Programme is a Hungarian adaptation of other tutorial programmes, for instance the so called “Buddy Network” in English-speaking countries and the “Tandem Programme” in German-speaking ones. First impressions and experiences are very important for somebody arriving in a foreign country. The university would like to give assistance to its exchange students, giving them a helping hand in matters for the first few days or weeks of their stay. Students will automatically get Hungarian partner students, who will contact them by e-mail and who will be ready to answer all questions concerning life in Hungary, Budapest and the university.

Students who are to study at the Buda Campus should contact their Programme Coordinator with questions about the Tandem/Buddy Programme. Orientation Programme The orientation programme is for all Corvinus University exchange students. There will be informative presentations regarding different administrative and academic questions. Therefore, attendance on this orientation day is strongly recommended. What to Bring For the International Day (organised around the middle of the semester) exchange students are kindly asked to bring some brochures, posters, etc. with themselves to be able to present their home institutions – hoping to persuade Hungarian students to spend an exchange semester there.

First impressions and experiences are very important for somebody arriving in a foreign country

In all the above activities the International Office, being a central administrative unit, works closely together with other central administrative units, and especially with the faculties, which all have one or more international coordinator(s). Details of contact information are shown in the following table.

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About Us. And You. ESN Corvinus is part of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the one of the biggest student associations in Europe, founded for supporting and developing student exchange. We are here to help you out, from everyday routines to finding a flat and get to know other exchange students! We also work for the creation of a more mobile and flexible education environment by supporting and developing the student exchange with providing an intercultural experience! What’s happening?

et’s check out how we shake up your exchange experience, have a glance at our programs for next semester! You are still unpacked. You haven’t found your apartment and flatmate yet. New places, new faces. You have no clue where to grab an ice cold beer to figure your new semester in Budapest… We have the answer! As a start off, join our Hostel Parties the week before uni starts! The best way to let it loose and get along pronto is to check out the best Hungarian pubs and clubs together – different places and style every single day of the week! After clubbing out in Budapest nightlife for a week, it is time to look around your new university, Orientation Week is coming up next! Orientation Day includes an opening

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ceremony for all exchange students, a registration for ESN Card (see below for details), signing up for our upcoming events and finally a guided university tour with get-to-know-each-other and fun games! No pressure – for the nite, we leave campus and go out for the first official ESN Corvinus party! To help you get along in the city we explore Budapest’s cultural and architectural wonders together on a two part sightseeing tour on both Buda and Pest sides! Our tours cover the must-see tourist attractions in Budapest, that you shouldn’t miss when you plan your Budapest sightseeing. After your first days attending courses and lectures, you definitely need a hype-up – we are hitting the best and most interesting bars in Budapest on the Pub Crawl night!

For the weekend, Fresh Camp is on its way! We discover other beautiful parts of Hungary with more than 200 exchange students, including You! A couple of reasons why Fresh Camp is gonna be one of your best trips in Hungary: an unforgettable bus ride, all your new mates are coming, sight seeing with city rally, chillig out in the spa, wine tasting with great food and unlimited wine (yeah!) and party all night long! The next morning is always hard, but we’re gonna be there to wake and shake you up, whatever it takes! This is how it all starts, but we won’t let you down, we entertain you for the whole semester! You won’t get bored during the year, you always can pick from our themed ESN Corvinus parties or megaparties in collaboration with other ESN sections and Budapest universities! Join our longweekend trips, explore Hungarian festivals and carnivals or nearby countries and cultures with us! Plan ahead your journey by following and checking out our special trips for next semester on our website! Don’t miss our greatest multicultural event! Were you ever wondering whether it is possible to eat French, Chinese and Turkish food in the same place at the same time? It all can happen on the International Week! Cook something special with your mates from your country, bring some of your famous national drinks and taste as many kind of food as you can! Show a little piece of your culture and gastronomy! All good things come to an end, but when it does, make it big! We say (not good bye, but) see you soon on Farewell Dinner, a fancy dinner with all your friends and all the organizers to end a great chapter of

our lives. Recall all the good memories and moments you had during your Corvinus studies with a photo contest, a themed party and much more! It is the last, but unforgettable opportunity to feel the Corvinus spirit for one last time in your life. ESN Card To make the most of your stay in Budapest and student life at Corvinus, grab the opportunity that ESN Card offers! TheCard is a pass and guide to loads of discounts in various fields and is also a membership card of the Erasmus Student Network! It allows you to enjoy cultural programs, restaurants and bars, trips, guided tours and many other things just for being a student who is doing an Erasmus or Exchange Program! You can use your Card not just in Budapest, but in many cities and countries around Europe! While discovering Hungary or travelling abroad, you’ll be able to enjoy the advantages of the area you are staying. Don’t forget to register on the Orientation Day! It all starts today! We can’t wait for you to come, join and get surrounded by the ESN experience! See you at the Hostel Parties! Have a memorable stay in Budapest, an awesome and successful semester with ESN Corvinus!

Let’s check out how we shake up your exchange experience

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ESN Corvinus â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Event calendar 2013/14/Spring Date

event

20-25 Jan

Hostel parties

27 Feb â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 Jan

Orietnation Week

27-Jan

Orientation day

27-Jan

Welcome Party

28-Jan

Thermal Bath

29-Jan

Parliament + Pest Sightseeing

30-Jan

Buda sightseeing

30-Jan

Pub Crawl + Party

1-2 Feb

Freshcamp

10-16 Feb

Cultural week

11-Feb

ZWACK museum

12-Feb

Dreher beer brewery

13-Feb

House of Terror

13-Feb

Traffic Lights Party

27-Feb

Lust Night Party

2-Mar

Carnival of the Buso

3-9 Mar

International week

3-Mar

Movie night

4-Mar

Sports Day

5-Mar

Pub Quiz

6-Mar

International Dinner

6-Mar

Flag Party

15-Mar

Random fun

21-23 Mar

Trip to Slovenia

11-13 Apr

Foreign Trip 2 - decided by poll

19-Apr

Let it Roast Grill Party

1-May

Farewell Dinner

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Széchenyi István College for Advanced Studies The Széchenyi István College for Advanced Studies (in Hungarian: Széchenyi István Szakkollégium – SZISZ) is one of the six similar colleges operating at the Corvinus University of Budapest. Its main goal is to enable its members to achieve a high level of proficiency in economics and social sciences, and to master their academic skills in a democratic, deeply communal environment.

esides students from CUB we also have members from other universities, mainly the Eötvös Lóránd University. Based on its two-decadelong experience in student group and association activities, the college actively contributes to the shaping of university public life. The educational system of the college intends to complement the knowledge that can be gained from university education by organising different advanced level courses. In the SZISZ, the four possible programmes that members can choose from are: financial economics, public economics, sociology, law and economics. Apart from these courses, members have an opportunity to learn about different themes by enrolling in knowledge widening courses, ones that encompass a large variety of topics (e.g. cultural anthropology, applied ethics, game theory etc.). Besides the professional profile of the college, there is a very strong communal side, too. The majority of members live together in the Földes Ferenc dormitory of CUB at Ráday Street. The college has many annual social and professional events, such as the Finance Summer University, which is organised for Hungarianspeaking students from neighbouring countries; the Autumn Block Seminars, where students can undertake different sections held by renowned experts; the Winter Camp, lectures related to the scientific profile of the college, etc. We also organise talks, conferences and summer universities on a regular basis for

a broader audience. Other prominent events organised by the college include international conferences, like the Negative Ties and Social Networks Workshop, and an ongoing project that intends to bring together various student organisations from different countries for a professional workshop next spring. Besides students from CUB we also have members from other universities, mainly the Eötvös Lóránd University and the Central European University. If you want to know more about us and our international events, contact us at: dbtitkar@szisz.hu

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IDSA – Diplomacy and international relations In August 2013 some enthusiastic friends dared to dream big so that they could create a community for students interested in diplomacy and international relations. This is when IDSA was established.

AIESEC – Travelling the world and developing yourself

Have you ever thought about becoming a leader? Have you ever thought that you would be able to make a remarkable impact on the whole world? Have you ever thought about creating life changing experiences while you are travelling the world and developing yourself?

e, AIESECers work in office 21 at Corvinus University as a Local Committee in Hungary. We are part of the biggest international student organization in the world, and our goal is to develop responsible and entrepreneurial young leaders by giving them the opportunity to travel to an unknown country and gain practical experience in a challenging environment. We believe that by giving the chance to the younger generation to participate in a Global Community Development or a Global Internship Program, we provide them with the opportunity to get to know different cultures, challenge themselves in an international environment, share ideas, and improve their self-awareness. By participating in this six-week long adventure, you have the possibility to connect with others from different cultures and gain some practical experiences by doing volunteer work. By participating in our longer internship program, you can gain valuable professional experiences in your chosen workfield, while experiencing a foreign atmosphere. Meanwhile you have the chance to see the world and to understand it, and after you

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understand it then you have the ability to change it. This is the leadership that we provide to the world and that we believe in. If you think that you are quite independent, you like adventures and you are ready to make the world a better place, than take the first steps and head to office 21 in the corridor of student organizations. We are waiting for you and are ready to help you to get a unique view of the world and to gain a valuable and lifelong personal and professional experience! Visit our opportunities at https://opportunities. aiesec.org/, our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/aiesecbce and our webpage english.aiesec.hu

ur main goal is to provide professional opportunities for Hungarian university students who are drawn to international relations, diplomacy, and – especially – the United Nations. Participating at these special events will forge unforgettable experiences and knowledge. Spreading the knowledge of the Model United Nations (MUN) culture and educating a new generation of more open-minded students is also a high priority for IDSA. Budapest International Model United Nations (BIMUN) is an important part of our association, which is the largest MUN of not only Hungary, but also Central-Europe. It has been held annually since 2011 for high school students, but since 2013 it has been a two-level conference. BIMUN-UNI was launched at the last session, and due to the great success it achieved we decided to increase the number of university participants. Besides our programs we have Workshop Groups, Project Teams, and a course called MUN-Club. Our members immerse

themselves in these Workshop Groups, where they research and devise topics they are interested in. These groups are sorted by UN Councils. Project Teams are groups of students working on a single project within IDSA together. It may be a one-time event, or sessions and lectures about something, or even BIMUN is a project of the IDSA. MUN-Club is a course for students who are willing to participate at Model United Nations and improve not only their professional English, but their rhetorical skills as well. Throughout this weekly session, students learn the technical basics and rules of MUNs and the required professional knowledge. Starting in March, delegations will be organized from IDSA members to participate several conferences all over the world, adequately prepared and full of enthusiasm. If you are interested in being a part of IDSA is or in what a Model UN looks like, you only need to drop an e- mail to jelentkezes.idsa@gmail.com, or contact us via our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/InternationalDiplomaticStudentAssociation

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Economists in Public Policy

ur mission is to train professionals who are aware of economic, financial, and public policy issues, who are able to think individually, argue, analyze and make decisions based on facts and figures, and who work responsibly with the consideration of ethical aspects. In order to become the fundamental base for the next generation of public policy experts, we aim to provide all the necessary means to our members: we organize lectures, seminars, conferences, debates, and workshops, which can be a valuable supplement to university studies. With these events we also provide occasions for our students to build up a precious contact network. Besides the professional aspects of our work, we believe in the importance of our common values. The solution-oriented approach of the social problems and the ethical, objective, and evidence-based argumentations help us to preserve our moral integrity and to be a real economist.

HaKöSZ – association of students in community service

he Association of Students in Community Service strives to raise awareness among students about societal issues, to empower students to become more responsible citizens, to bring them closer to the real problems of society, and to support feelings of solidarity towards others in need. HaKöSz aims to promote social responsibility, community education, and current volunteer work at Corvinus University of Budapest (CUB), but we are about to spread our initiative to other universities as well. Our operation is based on projects (with one-year duration), such as implementing a mentor-programme for orphaned children, helping homeless people to integrate into the society, promoting and popularizing volunteering, broadening people’s horizon on the protection of animals, and other such projects. The members of HaKöSz regularly volunteer, but we also organize „KözJóTett” every year, which is a large series of volunteer events for those who are interested and willing to participate in programmes like organizing events in a children orphanage and numerous one-

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day volunteer actions, campus “greening” projects, volunteering in hospitals, cleaning parks, distributing food packages for homeless people, and visiting animal shelters. We believe that “community service” should be an integrated part of any university in Hungary and that community-oriented work is not only an abstraction, but that it can belong to the everyday life of modern youth.

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HÖK – The Students’ Union

As a part of the university self-government, the HÖK (The Students’ Union; StU) has the right to act on behalf of the students in the consultative and decision-making bodies of the university. In few words, its main object is to protect students’ rights at all levels.

he whole system is based on the work of the faculty students’ unions. The HigherEducation Act and University Regulations give all university students the right to vote for the representatives, as well as to be elected. In the different faculties, students elect representatives to stand for them in the faculty Students’ Union, which delegates members to academic bodies, such as the Faculty Council, the Education Committee or the Campus Board. Faculty councils suggest changes in the curriculum, help with the entrance examinations, evaluate lecturers’ work and voice their opinion on any issue concerning the students at the faculty level. In issues concerning the whole university it is the HÖK who expresses its opinion; it consists of representatives from each faculty. They elect the HÖK chairmen, direct the work of the university student federation, participate in the work of the supreme governing bodies. The HÖK is engaged in the support and operation of university students’ professional, scientific, sports and other community

activities. We organise the freshman camp for incoming master students, the midpoint ball for bachelor students, the Corvinus Days and each faculty has its own special programmes. You can read more about social activities organised by the HÖK in that booklet. Of course, you are all invited. We also try to do our best in helping international students. In that field, the main object is the same, representing your interests, protecting your rights and getting you better involved into the University’s social life. Our office provides an always open info desk where you can ask your questions and what is more, you can use computers, print and copy. If you are not willing to visit us personally, you can also write an e-mail. We can ensure that your question will be answered within a few days, so do not hesitate to contact us! HÖK Office – Fővám tér 8. room 17. Mon-Thu: 9.00-16.00 Friday: 09.00-13.00 Contacts: kulugy@bcehok.hu (Foreign Affairs Team) oktatas@bcehok.hu (Education Team)

Our office provides an always open info desk

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Name, Phone, e-mail

Contact Persons ASi. Accummy nismolor adion et, venibh ent am volut eros nulla faci bla augait dolorper atis nim veliquis am, vent in velesequat, qui tet at niamet, quat vulputat, sum quat. Equatio numsan volobor tismod min eliquis aliquatet ullaortisi tem quisl irit Name, Phone, e-mail

Title, Responsibilities

Room, office hours

International Office Address: Fővám tér 8. / Fax: + 36 1 482 5023

Ms Mónika CSIZMÁR Phone: + 36 1 482 5008 monika.csizmar@uni-corvinus.hu

Exchange Student Coordinator (incoming students)

136 Mon-Thurs 8.00-13.00, Wed 14.00-16.30

Ms Zsuzsa KRISTA Phone: + 36 1 482 5225 zsuzsa.kristani-corvinus.hu

CEMS and PIM Program Manager

E-154.1 Mornings 9.00-12.00

Ms Csilla MORVAI Phone: + 36 1 482 5421 csilla.morvai@uni-corvinus.hu

CEMS and PIM Assistant

E-154.1 Mornings 9.00-12.00

Ms Dóra NAGY-SZAKONYI Phone: + 36 1 482 5311 dora.szakonyi@uni-corvinus.hu

Exchange Program Assistant (outgoing students)

E-154 Mornings 9.00-12.00

Ms Eszter VADÁSZ Phone: + 36 1 482 5150 eszter.vadasz@uni-corvinus.hu

DSG Coordinator

E-318 Mornings 9.00-12.00

General questions

E-205 Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00

Ms Erzsébet VERES Phone: + 36 1 482 5389 erzsebet.veres@uni-corvinus.hu

Head of International Office Institutional CEEPUS Coordinator

E-205 Wed 9.00-12.00

Ms Judit DÁN-CSALA Phone: + 36 1 482 5213 erasmus@uni-corvinus.hu

Institutional Erasmus coordinator Erasmus partners Outgoing Erasmus students (for study and traineeship)

E-205 Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00

Ms Viktória SIMON Phone: + 36 1 482 7210 viktoria.simon@uni-corvinus.hu

Mr Gábor SZALAI Phone: + 36 1 482 5189 gabor.szalai@uni-corvinus.hu

Incoming students’ coordinator CEEPUS programme Student exchange with Russia Erasmus teaching staff mobility CVS programme BÁH and MÖB contact

E-205 Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00

Ms Judit BÚS-PAP Phone: + 36 1 482 6189 buspap@uni-corvinus.hu

Tandem Program (FBA, FEC, FSS) Transcript of records Summer universities Erasmus administrative staff mobility Erasmus disabled support

205 Mon-Fri 9.00-12.00

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Exchange student coordinator (incoming students) Bilateral agreements

Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) Address: Közraktár utca 4-6. / Fax: + 36 1 482 7208 Exchange Student Coordinator

C-506 Mon and Tue 13.00-16.00, Wed 9.00-12.00

Faculty of Food Science (FFS) Address: Villányi út 29-43., Building „K” / Fax: + 36 1 482 6366 Exchange Student Coordinator

ground floor 1 Mon and Thurs 8.00-11.00

Faculty of Horticultural Science (FHS) Address: Villányi út 29-43., Building „K” / Fax: + 36 1 482 6365 Ms Zsuzsa VÉGVÁRI-KOTHENCZ Dr Phone: + 36 1 482 6314 zsuzsa.kothencz@uni-corvinus.hu

Exchange Student Coordinator

ground floor 16 Mon and Thurs 9.00-12.00 and 13.00-15.00

Faculty of Landscape Architecture (FLA) Address: Villányi út 29-43., Building „G” / Fax: + 36 1 386 8312

Faculty of Economics (FEC) Address: Fővám tér 8. / Fax: + 36 1 482 5164 Ms Judit STRIKER Phone: + 36 1 482 5347 judit.striker@uni-corvinus.hu

Room, office hours

Faculty of Business Administration (FBA) Address: Fővám tér 8.

Welcome Office

Ms Anna OROSZ Phone: +36 1 482 5438 nemzetkozi.iroda@uni-corvinus.hu

Title, Responsibilities

E-150 Mon 12.45-15.45, Tues 10.00-13.15, Wed 9.00-13.15 and 14.30-16.00

Ms Sára FÁBIÁN Phone: + 36 1 482 6592 or 6596 sara.fabian@uni-corvinus.hu

Exchange Student Coordinator Students’ Council Address: Fővám tér 8.

Mr Ádám SZAJKÓ adam.szajko@bcehok.hu

Officer responsible for Foreign Affairs

E-17 Mon-Thurs 10.00-16.00 Fri 10.00-13.00

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good to k now & good to do

Small Hungarian language class Greetings: Good morning!

Jó reggelt!

Good afternoon!

Jó napot!

Good evening!

Jó estét!

Good night!

Jó éjt!

Hi!

Szia!

Goodbye!

Viszontlátásra!

Conversation: What is your name?

Hogy hívnak?

My name is…

A nevem…

How old are you?

Hány eves vagy?

Do you have hobbies?

Van hobbid?

How are you?

Hogy vagy?

Fine, thank you, and you?

Jól, köszönöm, és te?

Thank you very much!

Köszönöm szépen!

You are welcome!

Szívesen!

Directions: Could you tell me, where the… is?

Meg tudnád mondani, mere van a…?

Keep straight on!

Menj egyenesen előre!

Turn left!

Fordulj balra!

Turn right!

Fordulj jobbra!

Wishes/Greetings: Happy birthday!

Boldog születésnapot!

Happy name-day!

Boldog névnapot!

Merry Christmas!

Boldog karácsonyt!

Happy new year!

Boldog új évet!

Have a nice weekend!

Kellemes hétvégét!

Important words: pub

Kocsma

drug store/chemist’s

Gyógyszertár

Hospital

Kórház

police

Rendőrség

university

Egyetem

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