Blog
Sports in a small Hungarian school
In Budapest, the Hungarians had the gym inside the school. It was small, but it had many things to do, in addition to having a basketball and soccer court outside. Next to the gym, there was a room for physical education equipment where they had many balls, rackets, and all kinds of necessary material. One day, while we were doing an activity, I went down with some friends and my Hungarian friend to the physical education class, and they were playing volleyball. The teacher let us join, and the whole class was participating. My Hungarian friend’s name was Arisz, and he explained to me that football wasn’t very good there and that he liked basketball more, as he had been playing since he was five years old. So we played basketball, and he’s the best basketball player I’ve seen. But since we’ve barely been at the school and the little time we were there, I could only see how they played volleyball, this is the only thing I can tell. I had a great time with Arisz, and I would go on Erasmus again because it’s a 10/10 experience.
The Crown Jewel of Hungary: Esztergom Basilica
In Budapest, the Hungarians had the gym inside the school. It was small, but it had many things to do, in addition to having a basketball and soccer court outside. Next to the gym, there was a room for physical education equipment where they had many balls, rackets, and all kinds of necessary material. One day, while we were doing an activity, I went down with some friends and my Hungarian friend to the physical education class, and they were playing volleyball. The teacher let us join, and the whole class was participating. My Hungarian friend’s name was Arisz, and he explained to me that football wasn’t very good there and that he liked basketball more, as he had been playing since he was five years old. So we played basketball, and he’s the best basketball player I’ve seen. But since we’ve barely been at the school and the little time we were there, I could only see how they played volleyball, this is the only thing I can tell. I had a great time with Arisz, and I would go on Erasmus again because it’s a 10/10 experience.
Erasmus: The best experience.
The Erasmus + Project is a great opportunity to learn about the life.
The students must discover the world. Indeed, we often focus on books, or homework and exams. We forget that everything around us is important. And what happens beyond our borders too.
At first, I had some doubts: I didn’t know whether to sign up the form. Now I don’t regret it at all. It was the best decision! I chose Budapest (Hungary) because I thought it would be very different from Valencia.
My partner came first, and I had to be a good host. I helped him adjust to our way of life. Everything was different for him: language, schedules, customs, etc. But we managed to understand each other, and he had a good time in Valencia.
Then, I travelled to Budapest. So, I had to be flexible too, and I understood that it is not easy. But it is an exciting challenge. Besides the trip, the excursions and visiting a new country, this experience has enriched me as a person and as a European citizen.
We should all try to learn about other cultures. In this way we would be more tolerant and understanding. The world is not the personal vision we have of it. The world is the place where millions of people feel, study, work, cry, laugh, etc. We are obliged to understand each other and live together in peace. We must open our minds to diversity.
Erasmus+ has taught me all this and much more.
My Hungarian family
I am going to talk about the differences between a Hungarian family and a Spanish family, what caught my attention the most was the places to live, especially if you lived in the center they were buildings and if it was in towns they were houses, that is rarely seen in Spain since everything is buildings, even in the nearby towns.
They also like animals a lot, almost all families have at least one, however in Spain, when you live in buildings, many do not let you have animals, in general there are not many differences between families since the customs are very precise even down to meal times and dinners.
Personally, the family I was in was a super good family, they were the mother, the brother and my exchange girl, they treated me great, they gave me my privacy and there was no problem, I was very comfortable, my family lived in a super nice town although to get to the city it was 1 hour by public transport.
I have had colleagues who have not been so comfortable with the family or the family has not welcomed them so well but in general we were all very comfortable, since the customs are very similar.
The food issue was not a problem either, we tried typical food from there and almost all of us liked it a lot, they were mainly typical soups.
Now I’m going to talk about each member of the family, starting with the mother, a lovely, super kind and hard-working woman, she treated me great, she didn’t speak much English but she tried to do it with me.
I didn’t speak much with my older brother, he didn’t speak much English either since he explained to me that at school they could choose between learning English or German and he chose German but he spoke English quite well.
And lastly, my exchange girl, a super happy girl, helped me with everything and always made me smile. I think I have been very lucky with her, and that I would do the exchange again just because of the good times with her.
Text: student Lucía Badía
Culture shock in Budapest
For a week we have been able to enjoy the culture and customs of Hungary through an exchange with students from Budapest.
It all started after two flights in a row, the first from Valencia to Frankfurt Germany and the second from Frankfurt to Budapest. Then we met our Hungarians again. As soon as we left the airport, I met his family and they introduced themselves, shaking hands with both men and women.
While the Hungarians were in Spain we were able to see the close relationship they have with the teachers, they are also more independent, freer and in the institute we have been to they have a very open mind.
Another difference that I have noticed has been the amount of sugary drinks they drink at meals, dinners, even between meals. If they drink water, the vast majority prefer it to be carbonated. There are many more types of chocolates, snacks, chips, and especially drinks.
We have also been able to observe how, unlike Valencia, Budapest is much cleaner, both the streets and the establishments, as well as the entire network of subways, buses and trams.
Lastly, mention that almost all the students lived very far from the institute.
To conclude, I would like to say that it has been a fantastic trip, we have visited many incredible places, everyone has been very generous with us.
Hungary is a fascinating destination with a rich history and delicious cuisine. During the exchange we were able to learn about daily life in this country. The trip has been an unforgettable experience.
Text: student Alicia Garrido
My Hungarian family
Family🇭🇺❤️
Daily life in Budapest
Discovering Budapest
Sightseeing in Budapest
This new experience started the Wednesday 21st of March, when we have the Falla’s hangover. We flew🛫 to Frankfurt, when we ran to arrive to the next plane that bring us to Budapest. When we arrived, the families were waiting us. That night, I dinnered fried chicken with a salad with potatoes, onions and mayonnaise that was delicious. After a good dinner, a good sleep until 6 am when the sun comes.
The next day, Friday 22nd, we were with our partner at the high school on the project, that day we had to do a poster in groups about the differences in Valencia and Budapest. In the afternoon we tasted the Kürtőskalács, a traditional dessert. Then we relaxed🧖 at Gélleret Bath, a very old thermal Turkish bath.
The third day, we went by train to Esztergom, a city in the border with Hungary and Slovaquia. In the afternoon I was in a big shopping centre with my partner and his friends.
On Sunday, we went to a village at the border of Balaton Lake called Tihany. The village was so beautiful and there are a lot of shops of lavender.
On Monday 25th, we visited the Budapest Parlament, a beautiful and giant building next to the Danube. In the afternoon, we went to Aquaworld, an aquatic park with slides, jacuzzis and saunas.
The day before the last one, we were in the castle of Buda🏰, the First Minister residence. After had lunch at the school cantine,we went to Normafa Park🌳, the highest place of Budapest, where the teachers invited to a rétes, an other typical dessert of Hungary.
To finish our trip, on Wednesday, we were at the Terror House, a museum abou how Hungarians lived the holocaust and the comunism. At the end we returned to the school ti say goodbye and go to the airport to return to «la terreta» the best place over the Earth 🌎.
To finish this article, I want to say that it was a very exciting experience that I’m not going to forget in my live.
Thank you very much and see you ❤️
Text: student Jose Ortolá
