Budapest Semesters in Math

The Budapest Semesters in Mathematics (BSM) provides a unique opportunity for North American undergraduates. Through this program, mathematics and computer science majors in their junior/senior years may spend fall, spring or summer semester in Budapest and study under the tutelage of eminent Hungarian scholar-teachers. Students have the opportunity to take a wide variety of mathematics classes as well as Hungarian language and culture classes that will allow them to increase their knowledge of the field and of the country they will be living in.

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and one of the largest cities in the European Union.  Often described as the “Little Paris of Middle Europe”, Budapest is famous not only for the monuments, but also for the relics of others who settled here. Remains from both Roman and Turk occupation. After the Ottoman Empire the union with Austria has also had a  particular influence.

The capital has two sides, Buda and Pest, stretching along the banks of the Danube, representing two different characters of the city.  Suburban Buda and its historic castle district offer medieval streets and houses, museums, caves and Roman ruins. The dynamic Pest side boasts the largest parliament building in Europe, riverside promenades, flea markets, bookstores, antique stores and café houses.

Budapest has a lot to offer in terms of museums and galleries, churches and synagogues, palaces and historic buildings, baths and pools are presented together.

BSM hosts courses at the College International campus of Technical University Budapest with professors hailing from a variety of Hungarian institutions. Students usually take four courses per semester, all designed to transfer to American universities, and have the option to sit in on classes during the first three weeks of the semester before committing. Students will take courses with other North American students participating in the program and will take a rigorous course-load designed to encourage a depth of understanding rather than quantity of material.  Course offerings combine standard upper-level courses in areas of strength of Hungarian mathematics such as combinatorics, number theory, and probability theory.  The classes stress problem solving, foster student creativity, and support group learning.

A note on grading and credits for this program: SMCM uses the same grading system as BSM. One Budapest unit will equal four SMCM credits. SMCM will adhere to the transfer credit policy when transferring credits from a BSM transcript.

Students have the option of living either with a Hungarian host family or in an apartment.  If you choose to live with a Hungarian family please note that most Hungarian families in Budapest live in small apartments and share one bathroom.  If you decide to live in an apartment you will have a roommate and will fill out a roommate matching form but will have your own bedroom.  All apartments do come completely furnished and even including bedding and towels.

Rent and security deposits will be due upon arrival in Budapest directly to the landlord or host family and should be budgeted accordingly.

The Budapest Semesters in Math program does not officially have a campus location but it does have building where students will be taking classes and are welcome to hang out and study.  Because students are living on their own they will need to integrate themselves into the local community by learning how to navigate the local grocery stores, buses, trains, etc. and will need to become a part of the community which is a unique feature of this program.