Submitted by Carson McClung on the 2025 Winter program in Budapest, Hungary…
When I first arrived in Budapest, the first thing I noticed was how beautiful and historic the city was. Shops and restaurants surrounded the apartment complex I lived in. That first night, we went to Menza, a Hungarian restaurant close by. We got to try several dishes including langos with sour cream and cheese, accompanied by a delicious garlic soup, and a lava cake. I enjoyed trying the new foods, but the first few days in Hungary were more difficult because of the culture shocks–the locals were more reserved. As an introvert, going into my first study abroad experience was both exciting and nerve-wracking.
As time went on, things started to get easier for me and I noticed some personal growth. Going into the program, I was already friends with one person in the group, but I didn’t know the others. After the first week, I started branching out and talking to the other people more. I went out with them, grabbed food, and got to know them more. My social skills have improved dramatically, which is amazing considering my past struggles in group settings. Because of this trip, I feel more confident in group settings and maintaining relationships with people. We also went on some fun excursions, such as touring the Parliament and participating in a cooking class. I learned how to make local Hungarian dishes–I cooked baked meatloaf with eggs–and got to try them! I not only explored Budapest but also went on a hike and a day trip to Vienna, Austria via train. Being able to travel abroad and explore Central Europe is a privilege I’m immensely grateful for.
Towards the end of the program, I was super sad to leave. The two and a half weeks spent in Budapest were some of the most transformative experiences of my life–I am so glad I followed through! On our last night, we had an amazing dinner where we reminisced about our time abroad. I almost cried after our dinner–I didn’t want to leave and I’d do this all over again in a heartbeat! I will forever remember this experience and how it shaped me as a person. My self-growth over the break has me feeling confident enough to pursue new activities this semester, such as musical theater or acapella group auditions. I learned so much about myself and the world around me through this study abroad experience, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the winter session. Thank you to my amazing group and faculty director, Dr. Tóth, for supporting me and bringing me out of my shell.
