Submitted by Natalie Sorlin on the 2022 winter session program in Hungary sponsored by the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration…
Throughout my first week in Budapest, I began to get accustomed to the culture. On Sunday, the first day we arrived, we had a three course meal for dinner at a Magyar inspired restaurant. The culture of the Magyar tribes played an essential role in Hungary’s history, so it was interesting to try some of their dishes, like chicken and potatoes for example. Following class on Monday, we took a walking tour of Castle Hill on the Buda side of the city. This was my favorite excursion we have taken so far as the views from Castle Hill were beautiful and we learned a lot about the political history of Hungary. I found it very interesting to learn about the political unrest that has taken place in this country for centuries, until Hungary was liberated from Soviet control. I also learned that Budapest is split into two sides, Buda and Pest, by the Danube River. The excursion that our group went on this week that was the most impactful to me was the Museum of Terror. Here, we learned of the terrors that the citizens of Hungary, particularly the Jewish population, experienced during World War II and when the Soviets took over. It has been very interesting to me to learn about the history of the city while experiencing it in today’s modern society where much has changed in a short amount of time. I am excited to continue to gain an understanding of the complex history of the country while experiencing life in the city.
