ARRIVAL AND STUDENT HOUSING

Please carry your three BSM letters (Acceptance, College International, and Travel) with you in your carry-on luggage. 

Proof of Covid vaccination (sent to the North American BSM office) is required for program participation.  Any expenses related to vaccination or testing are the responsibility of the student.

Airport Arrival

A BSM representative will meet you upon arrival at the airport or train station and drive you to your apartment.  After clearing customs, you will leave the baggage claim area and go to the arrival hall (follow signs for ground transport). Look for a BSM representative holding up a sign saying, “Budapest Semesters”. Do not leave the airport until you locate each other. Send an email to [email protected] or call 00-36- 20-628-5562 (the BSM emergency number) if you cannot find the BSM representative.

Flight Delays

In North America: Once you begin your journey, please remember to notify the office in Budapest and the North American Office of any flight changes or delays. E-mail both [email protected] and [email protected] or use one of the telephone numbers below.

Outside of North America: It is important to notify our BMS team in Budapest about any flight delays as this will have an impact on transportation from the airport on arrival. If you need to contact Budapest from Europe, the country code for Hungary is +36, followed by the BSM 24/7 emergency cell phone number 20-628-5562. You may need to ask airline staff for assistance in making this international call.

BSM Budapest Office Contact Information

Budapest Office Hours:                                                          8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

BSM Office Cell Phone (when calling within Hungary):      00-36-30-474-3924

BSM Office Cell Phone (when calling from the US):           011-36-30-474-3924

BSM Fax number (from the US):                                           011-36-1-413-3030

Address:  Budapest Semesters in Mathematics, Bethlen Gábor tér 2, 1071 Budapest, Hungary

BSM 24/7 Emergency Cell Phone # (when calling within Hungary):     00-36-20-628-5562

BSM 24/7 Emergency Cell Phone # (when calling from the US):            011-36- 20-628- 5562

EMAIL: [email protected]

When it is noon in New York and 9 a.m. in San Francisco, it is 6 p.m. in Hungary.  At 6 p.m. in New York, it is midnight in Budapest. If a parent is calling the student’s cell phone from North America, dial 011-36- 30- plus their 7-digit phone number. [011=overseas access, 36=country code (Hungary), 1=city code (Budapest)].

Remember to notify both BSM offices at [email protected] and [email protected] with any arrival changes or delays to keep them informed.

Luggage

Make sure your luggage is labeled inside and out with your destination:

Budapest Semesters in Mathematics

Bethlen Gábor tér 2

Budapest, Hungary 1071

If your luggage is lost or delayed, use this same address. There is 24-hour door service to receive your luggage. Please notify the BSM office in Budapest so they know to expect it.

Housing

Students are housed in BSM approved apartments in Budapest city center and suburbs. City center locations have the advantage of being close to the main cultural attractions of Budapest and the commute time to BSM is short. Housing and roommate assignments are arranged by our Hungarian BSM staff based on the information you provide in your Housing Form.

Housing assignments are given upon arrival in Budapest. The BSM representative who picks you up at the airport or train station will accompany you to your apartment. They will give you a mini orientation in your new neighborhood including the location of the nearest ATM or currency exchange booth and how it works, where to catch public transportation and how to purchase tickets, and directions to the nearest food store and pharmacy. They will also explain how to get from your location to both BSM and the Babilon Language School.

Typically, two or three students are housed together, and each student will have their own bedroom with a door. Apartments come completely furnished including pillows, sheets, towels, kitchenware, washing machine, etc. Clothes dryers are extremely rare. Keep in mind that thick items, such as sweatshirts, take several days to air dry; please pack accordingly. Apartment might be small by North American standards, with modest kitchen facilities. All apartments are located within easy reach of the university, either on foot or using convenient and inexpensive public transportation. There will not be apartment changes after arrival. Specific questions on housing can be directed to Anna Bushnell-Foti, Director of Student Services, at [email protected].

Rent prices per person, regardless of location, should be in the range of about $450-$475 per month plus one time security deposit. The security deposit is usually equal to one month’s rent. The first month’s rent will usually be payable within a week of your arrival. Please be aware that Hungarian laws governing rental properties vary greatly from laws in North America. Lease details may vary from apartment to apartment. Do not pay any rent until a lease has been signed. Do not sign any lease agreements until you fully understand and are comfortable with the terms. Your landlord should be willing to give you a few days grace period in which to do so. Please address housing questions to the Director of Student Services, Anna Bushnell-Foti, [email protected]