Hungary
Perhaps it is inevitable that a country in Central Europe, surrounded by other nations and not a single significant body of water, would possess a history as complex and as studded with great highs and tragic lows as Hungary. For the past several hundred years, the Magyar Köztársaság, or Republic of Hungary, has been both a crucial member of one of the most powerful and important empires in the world as well as the victim of two of the most ruthless and cruel. Today, at least, it is enjoying the kind of peace and prosperity that it went without for such a long time.
Visitors to present-day Hungary are routinely astounded by the sheer beauty of the country: From the breathtaking countryside to the bustling metropolis of Budapest, this is one country whose charms are in evidence seemingly everywhere within its somewhat modest borders.
The population itself is fairly small-slightly more than 10 million people call Hungary their home. But within that population of Hungarians there is a great range of ethnic and religious groups. This is as much a result of the nature of the country's native people as it is of the politics of the last 400 years, a time that saw the rise of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the subsequent immigration of a great many people to the country, the fall of it and subsequent oppression of those same people, as well as the supremely sad story of Hungary during World War II, when entire segments of the population were either killed or exiled by the Nazis. Communist rule began in 1919 and, after being interrupted by the Nazi regime that came to power in 1944, returned in 1948. This lasted until the 1990's and the fall of Communism. Ultimately, however, Hungary's story had a happy ending: It "developed closer ties with Western Europe, joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union on May 1, 2004" (www.en.wikipedia.org).
Today, Hungary is one of the most popular Central European destinations for tourists and students alike. The land itself is a constant reminder of the epic sweep of history that always seemed to find its way to this country. And the capital city, Budapest, is one of the most exciting and physically beautiful in Europe. "Visitors to Budapest will quickly see how it has managed to blend several centuries of architectural and cultural heritage with all the innovations thrown at it by modern life. As finances permit[,] historic buildings and monuments are gradually being renovated and restored" (www.budapestinfo.hu). Popular tourist destinations include the world-famous Castle District, the banks of the Danube River, and the thermal baths located throughout the capital city.
Full-time students will benefit from the many institutions of higher education in Hungary. From the Central European University in Budapest to the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, the options for full-time study are many and varied. The only difficulty might be with the language, which can be difficult for foreigners to learn. Then again, English has that reputation, too, and people all over the world don't seem to struggle that much with it. So really, then, there is no reason not to consider attending college in Hungary. This is a country on the rise, and every year brings with it more possibilities for future success. Now is the perfect time to be a student in Hungary.
