Hi, I made a post about how I have a chance to study for a semester in Budapest, Hungary and it sounds really cool, but there is one other option and thought I’d ask just so I don’t dismiss it immediately: Reykjavík, Iceland. I also know next to nothing about Iceland, whether it’s safe for students, if it’s welcoming, if it’s a good place for an American to study at, so might as well ask about it as well. It also sounds fascinating admittedly
Wife took her whole education in Hungary (Budapest) graduated in 2016 Its nice, but shit got weird for her friend from the Maldives as she was not white. Don’t know if it has changed, but don’t think POC will have a good time.
And all of eastern Europe is dogshit for LGBTQ
I’m from Iceland, if you go study in Iceland you’re guaranteed Northern lights. If you buddy up with someone with a car you can see plenty of sights since Icelanders in Reykjavik don’t go out too much but are very often up to going out to the country. If you like camping Iceland has amazing camping grounds, mornings are cold but camp sites have often heated kitchens and hot showers. Requires a tent, sleeping bag and inflatable mattress and a car.
Easter uni break is a whole week, budget for renting a car with other students who are staying in Iceland to go to more distant places.
Downside is that is pretty expensive, especially compared to Hungary. Hungary has shit rail but Flixbus can get you anywhere you want with less money and comfort.
Both very good options.
How are the employment prospects for a foreign student?
I am sure learning icelandic would be a must. But other than that?
Students visa allows part time, don’t remember the exact hours but around 18 per week I think. Employment prospects are pretty nice when going into hospitality or tourism but I’ve been out of the country for a while so I don’t know how easy it is to get a job. There’s also some work for disabled kids to be found, you could also find a role in your field if it’s a high demand field potentially. Also Icelandic in just not expected of people since it’s hard to learn so I wouldn’t worry about that.
Thanks for the info.
Haha, I would still learn it if I ever got there. Languages are cool, plus people are nicer if they see you make an effort to learn their language.
Iceland is extremely safe and welcoming. Honestly, one of the coolest places I’ve been on the planet. Nothing else like it. The geography and ecology of that island is just cool as hell lol.
The people are all very kind and welcoming and it has a sort of communal vibe that is partly a mix of island and Scandinavian cultures. Awesome place and awesome people.
It is expensive. That is the only thing I would say is a drawback. For me, I think it is definitely worth it.
Yeah; seeing Iceland and Budapest as options, I think: “Budapest: relatively cheap, lots of culture. Iceland: trendy and cool, but only if you like waterfalls and darkness and windswept vistas with pretty much no trees. And REALLY expensive.” The people are great in both places. There’s LOTS of tourists everywhere in Iceland in the summer, and the entire population of the island would vanish in Budapest in the winter. So it depends on what you like and when you’re going/for how long.
Hmm I guess I want deep history and culture, not to be corny lol
Then Budapest is the obvious choice. Iceland does have an interesting history, but you won’t see it if you don’t actively look for it. Especially Reykjavik is a pretty modern city.
Budapest was one of the biggest cultural centers of of Southeastern Europe for centuries. You’ll find history and the cultures it was influenced by everywhere you go.
Edit: I don’t know if this also applies to non-EU students, but lots of universities are partnered with each other and allow you to take one semester abroad. Might be worth looking into
For your interest in cultural history, I think that Budapest would win, as it has been a crossroads for centuries. For environmental studies, Iceland would win hands down. They are global leaders in that field.
Something that has not been mentioned yet is that Budapest is rather large, with a metropolitan population of over 2 million. The entire country of Iceland has under 400K people. Iceland is remote and feels remote. To me, that’s perfect. Your results may vary.
Having been to both I would say both are amazing but Budapest is your best bet for studying and enjoying a quintessential European atmosphere. Iceland is starkly beautiful but you aren’t going to able to see the whole country properly unless you do a week or two long road trip. It’s also considerably more expensive especially to eat out. People are kind but more reserved and distanced.
Budapest is a central hub to an incredible array of European trips that you can do on a weekend with public transport. Being in the east it’s also relatively cheap. It’s a big city full of young people, nightlife and culture with a rich history that you can walk to and experience every day.
What are you studying? Are there good programs relevant to your field of study there?
Iceland is a very safe country and millions of tourists from all over (including the US) come to visit, so that shouldn’t be your main concern.
Environmental science and history actually
That’s a hella good program for Iceland. That country has one industry and it’s freaking cool rocks
Hopefully not sarcasm lol
Nope, no joke. It was one of those dreams I never realized. Iceland has a lot of geothermal power plants and volcanic activity. I always wanted to live there and work at one. Also it’s geologically very similar to the place I was born.
The industry thing is sad though. They’re kind of economically deadlocked but had a pretty solid plan to get in to tech development. Back in 2008. Right when the
Dotcom bubble crashedNordic Tiger period ended.The industry thing is sad though. They’re kind of economically deadlocked
I have no idea where you’re getting this from. Iceland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Per capita, obviously.
And I think you’re getting your bubbles mixed up.
Wait you’re right. It was not the Dotcom, it was the end of the Nordic Tiger period. Sorry I misspoke
Dumb as a box of rocks. Just making shit up and getting called out everywhere you go. Typical liberal.
Perhaps. This was Wikipedia stuff I read in like 2018. It said they had put money into a video game studio and internet companies. I can’t claim to know how they’ve faired since.
What else would they have been doing? Their economy is mostly tourism otherwise, right?
It is somehow not surprising that you use Wikipedia articles from 8 years ago as your sourcing.
Iceland is an amazing place for both. I would consider Iceland to be more at the forefront of environmental science than Hungary, but I could be surprised.
Eastern Europe is a bit more wild and would be less my cup of tea, but if you’re mainly going for fun, that may be the better option.
Fuck yeah.
Pick whichever you might want to settle in. Chances are you will end up not - but just in case it might be an option.
Source: college buddy met, married someone in korea and is there nowIceland 100%
Yes Iceland is an incredibly beautiful country. The cost of living there is a little higher than Hungary and the people are a little more reserved at first but overall is a fantastic place. It’s slightly easier to visit the rest of Europe from Hungary than Iceland but both are great options and for the course you mentioned might be the better option. The water there takes a little while to get used to. If you don’t choose to study there you should definitely visit.
Little higher is a bit of an understatement.
If you don’t choose to study there you should definitely visit.
For OP, if s/he decides on Hungary, or anyone else interested: I haven’t checked prices recently, but IcelandAir used to be fairly competitively priced between Europe and North America, and they let you stopover in Iceland for up to a week with no additional airline charges.
Oh nice! Thx for the heads up
If you want a more comfortable bourgeoise experience, perhaps. I’ve never been to either country, but from reading, Iceland would be more comfortable. Hungary may give more opportunity from getting working poor perspectives, particularly teachers. But reading is 2-D, IRL is 3-D. Perhaps a year in each is possible?
Might try to make that work
My best to you, whatever you decide. 🥂
