My First Three Weeks in Budapest by Mylord
Article published on 29 February by Mylord
It has now been three weeks since I arrived in Budapest, and I can confidently say that this experience has already been eventful. Between cultural discoveries, nightlife, and adjusting to daily life, this new chapter in Hungary is off to a great start.
Arrival in Budapest
As soon as we landed at the airport, we exchanged some money into forints, the local currency (1€ equals about 400 HUF). After that, we took some time to charge our phones before looking for a way to reach our appartment.
Taking a taxi seemed like the obvious choice, but a man approached us, offering the services of his company. It was a private transportation service that drops travelers off directly at their exact address with their luggage. The bonus? If we kept the ticket, we could return to the airport for less than €5—a sort of loyalty deal. It seemed like a great offer, so we took this “taxi” and arrived at our apartment.
Once there, we had our first surprise: the apartment was in poor condition. The flooring was peeling off, there was no pan for cooking, and the shower didn’t even have a curtain. On top of that, we discovered multiple leaks in the bathroom—at the sink, the shower, and even the toilet. Let’s just say the setup wasn’t ideal… But we’re making the best of it!
First Impressions
Despite the issues with our accommodation, the city itself made a strong impression. Budapest looks a lot like Paris… but cleaner. The streets are spotless—not a single cigarette on the ground. The architecture is stunning, with grand buildings and majestic bridges across the Danube. You can feel the city’s rich history, yet it remains vibrant and modern.
Classes and Organization
Of course, I didn’t come here just for tourism. Classes started very quickly, and while everything is going well overall, we initially had some scheduling issues—some courses overlapped, forcing us to completely reorganize our timetable. Hopefully, this problem is now resolved.
Discoveries and Activities
These first few weeks have also been a great opportunity to explore the city. I was lucky enough to visit the Hungarian Parliament, an impressive landmark, both in size and architecture. It’s an absolute must-see, and the tour was well worth it.