API: Experience Budapest, Hungary (Scholarships Available)

Why did you want to study abroad and how did you pick Hungary?

Kathleen: I am blessed to be a quarter Hungarian and growing up I have been able to travel back to Hungary every summer to visit family. Studying abroad was always in the plan for college, and I had promised my family that I would spend an entire school year in Hungary to finally master the language. That year is finally upon us.

How did you find your program?

Kathleen: Texas A&M’s study abroad office has a database where you enter basic criteria for the type of study abroad program you’re interested in and out pops a list of possible opportunities. I typed in Hungary and selected Academic Programs International (API). A number of my friends study abroad through them and loved it. I have to agree with them; I definitely chose the best program in Budapest.

From what I understand, A&M has never sent a student on this program before. When I return home my plan is to try and spark some interest in study abroad opportunities in Hungary. API arranged our housing, class schedules, excursions in and outside of Hungary, Hungarian language partners, and gave us an amazing Residence Director. We are the smallest group of Americans (6 students) and it’s been nice having a group this size.

How have you overcome the challenges of adapting to a new life in Hungary?

Kathleen: Since I've regularly traveled to Hungary, I knew pretty much what to expect. I know the basic history and some of the language so I was not thrown into a completely foreign situation like a lot of other students. The hardest part for me hasn’t been so much the cultural differences, but the physical distance of living in Europe for a year. There are so many ways to talk to your family and friends while abroad, but nothing can replace physical contact. I’m thrilled to be here for a year, but it’s going to be a long haul. Luckily I regularly see my Hungarian family, and great grandmother cooking and kisses certainly makes the distance a lot easier.

To help combat the challenges of living in Hungary, I think every student should take a Hungarian or Central/Eastern Europe history class. It’s very easy to gush about how advanced and easy life is in Western Europe compared to the slightly simpler life in Eastern Europe. There’s a reason the two regions of Europe are so different. Understanding why allows student to gain new perspectives, and makes it easier to embrace the differences.

How do you see this experience impacting your future goals?

Kathleen: This trip to Hungary has already impacted my life in a major way. Before this trip, I always thought I would dabble in the wine industry as a hobby but still have a “real job”. I’ve since realized there’s no reason it has to be hobby if it’s something I really like. This summer I’m going to really try and get into the wine industry and explore this new direction in life. It’s scary, but also very exciting!

What position do you hold at API and what has been your career path?

Reka: I am the Resident Director for the Budapest, Hungary API program. The Budapest program opened in 2004, and I have been director of the program since the start. I am also a writing instructor at Central European University, an American graduate school here in Budapest.

Did YOU have the opportunity to study abroad?!

Reka: I studied abroad in Brisbane, Australia for a year, and I loved every minute of it. I majored in English and Latin language and literature at university and won a scholarship through the Australian Studies Program to go to Brisbane for one semester. I ended up staying for the full year and wrote my Master’s thesis there. I had traveled extensively before that in Europe, but this was the first time I left the continent.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Reka: I think the biggest challenge for any company today is how to deal with change, how to stay relevant and responsive to, in our case, our students’ needs. API is a great example of embracing change at every level, be that in terms of IT or opening new locations (often off the beaten track) but at the same time not losing track of our main goals, for example our commitment to helping students evolve from tourist to a resident to a global citizen.

What was your favorite traveling experience?

Reka: My favorite traveling experience was a road trip in Australia, from Sydney to Cairns. We covered a distance of about 1700 miles in a month, and I did my diving certificate at the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I also loved the rain forests and the scenery that is so different from Europe.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Reka: I love hearing about my students’ new travel experiences, a lot of them go on to travel extensively and even live abroad after they graduate. One of our alumni recently came back to teach English in a primary school in a small town in Hungary, which must be the ultimate ‘immersion experience’. Others are in Asia and even New Zealand, while some have taken government jobs where familiarity with Central Europe is a must. It’s fascinating to see where the journey that started in Budapest leads students along the way.