Participants have been requested by the Program Coordinator to comment on various aspects of the program. Below are quotations from the students' responses, reproduced here with their permission. [Most of the comments relating to specific details have been omitted. We hope nevertheless, that the general tone of the letters is faithfully represented in the excerpts given. In the brackets are editorial remarks.]
Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Abra's Journal is the collected emails that Abra sent home from Budapest while she attended the Fall 2003 Budapest Semesters in Mathematics. These letters are filled with the excitement and adventure of Abra's term in Hungary and she has graciously agreed to share them with you.
Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN
It was the best experience of my life. ... I was exposed to more of the world (not only in mathematics) than I ever thought I could be. It was invaluable to learn such amazing things in such an amazing city, and I am a changed person. I wrote a blog detailing my experience as it occurred. The URL is http://betsyinbudapest.blogspot.com
Amherst College, Amherst, MA
``This was exactly what I wanted out of study abroad - fantastic mathematics, a great community of students, and an incredible place to live. I know I'll never get another opportunity like I had last fall, and I'm really glad I took advantage of it. It's already changed me into a different person - things seem so strange back home now, but more than that it's made me much more confident of who I am, both academically and socially. I remember thinking as I was in Budapest that this was truly one of the coolest things I had done yet in my life and now, after returning, I'm convinced it was THE coolest thing I've ever done.''
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
"It's unlike any other program you will EVER encounter. The courses are intense enough to satisfy the next Fermat, yet it's such a close knit and enthusiastic environment that you can't help but be pulled into the complex and fascinating world of mathematics. As an average math major, it taught me that just trying to find answers to mind boggling problems is the most rewarding part of the whole process. The informal discussions that would pop up about complex problems made you relish being able to not only understand these things, but also being the one who posed the next problem.
"And personally? Where do I start? The finest minds attend Budapest Semesters. More importantly they're also the finest people you will ever meet. I'm now convinced that depth of knowledge breeds a TREMENDOUS depth of character.
"Mix it all in a world as warm and friendly as Budapest, and it's paradise."
Professor of Mathematics, Mount Holyoke College
Robert E. Cook Honors College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
"Here is a description of the BSM Program Amy wrote after returning to the U.S. Since attending BSM Amy has finished her Ph.D. at Dartmouth and a postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania.
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
"The biggest (nonmathematical) strengths are the
cultural opportunities available in Hungary: a unique, vibrant culture and
cuisine, and a city and country waiting to be explored. By meeting Hungarians
and immersing myself in Hungarian lifestyle, I was able to develop a deep
affection and love for Budapest. ...... I became more tolerant and patient and
more appreciative of the nature and diversity of human life."
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
"I would recommend this program to anyone studying mathematics. I will never forget the semester I spent in Budapest. I met many wonderful intelligent people, traveled a lot, learned about a different culture and had a lot of fun. The best thing of all: I did it all while learning some mathematics!"
The following comments were added some years later:
"I still have very fond memories of Budapest and the family I lived with. I keep in touch with them regularly, and I hope to go back one day for another visit. I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to learn mathematics while enjoying a wonderful and unique cultural experience."
Carleton College, Northfield, MN
"Several of my friends at college have gone on the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Program, and all of them have brought back glowing reports. They do not even need to tell me their stories; I can see for myself that it has been good for them. Those that had been lukewarm have gained a passion for mathematics; their performance in mathematics improves dramatically; and like others who have studied abroad, they bring back their rich, new cultural experience in everything they do.''
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
"Due to the expense of traveling, I have never travelled much. In fact, I can only recall five occasions when I have been outside the state....and I've never been overseas. Living and studying in Budapest does not cost much more than I pay to attend my current university. I was shocked to learn of a study abroad program that offered excellent teaching at such a reasonable cost, and pleased to realize that studying overseas is no longer out of the question.''
Father of a former participant
"As [a] father, I would like to offer my thanks for an excellent program. Robert grew mathematically from all indications and certainly was challenged. ... Besides program quality, I am impressed with the reasonable cost. It is clearly an excellent value. ... The experience would be well worth a higher cost."
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
Daniel Braithwaite wrote the following after returning to the states, about his Budapest Semester experience. Click below to visit with Daniel.
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Click here to read Tiffany's Letter to NC State Undergraduates. Or click here to view a few of Tiffany's pictures.
This entire semester has been one of the greatest adventures I've ever had. I saw places I've wanted to go to for years, and didn't expect to go to for many more. Budapest is the second most beautiful city I've ever seen, and the program was also quite affordable for me. Plus, I probably doubled what I knew about math in four months, which is obviously a good thing.
Reed College, Portland, OR
My experiences in Budapest really put things in perspective for me. Going to a small liberal arts college can sometimes give you a very narrow view of the world; living in a foreign city without the safety net of parents or a bigger college forced me to grow up a lot. I would also encourage students to ........ learn Hungarian! It's such an interesting and challenging language, but learning and practicing even a little bit is very rewarding. Scary, but rewarding.
Williams College, Williamstown, MA
"...living in Budapest was the most exciting, challenging, and thrilling thing I have ever done. What an education to be a foreigner."
Click below for some excerpts:
Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN
"I studied more mathematics than I ever had, and loved it.
"I made friends that I will have for life, who actually WANTED to talk math (ever have that problem?).
"I discovered a city and watched as it became a home to me.
"I'll never be able to write down what Budapest means to me; ... Looking over the city from Gellert Hegy (near school) and thinking about the city is close to how it feels to think about Gödel's proof, that's the closet I can come to describing it."
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
I thought [the BSM professors] were a nice balance of freedom and help. I knew I could get help with anything I needed, but it wasn't spoon-fed so that I didn't need to do anything on my own.
Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA
"I tell everyone I meet that they should go on this program. It was the best semester of my entire life!"
Davidson College, Davidson, NC
SOME COMMENTS
ABOUT ARRIVAL IN BUDAPEST:
The hardest thing about the arrival process is that you are so tired after
travelling all the way to Budapest from the US. I had no idea how hard the trip
would be...especially when you've got all your luggage, etc.
Another thing that makes the arrival difficult is the extreme culture shock of
arriving in the new country. Obviously, there is really no way around this, but
I think we should communicate to participants as much as possible to be
prepared to feel tired, unhappy/uncomfortable, nervous and scared upon their
arrival and for the first day or so. Other than that, however, I think that my
arrival went pretty well.
It probably would have been better for me if I had attempted to sleep on the
plane on the way over...another suggestion might be to advise students to sleep
on the way over, because they will not be able to sleep when they arrive,
because there will be several hours of things to do immediately after they
arrive. I had to go to the bank to exchange money to pay rent to my landlord,
discuss all of the necessary things regarding rent, utilities, etc., with him,
buy a transportation pass, etc.
Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA
When Jared Shettler returned from his semester in Budapest, he was asked, Would you recommend this program to other students? His answer was, "Absolutely. With fervor! Learn the language. Travel extensively, especially within Hungary."