ERASMUS GUIDE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS

SZENT ISTVÁN UNIVERSITY

Békéscsaba, Hungary

2013/2014

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EERRAASSMMUUSS

THE VERY FIRST STEP TOWARDS YOUR ERASMUS EXPERIENCE

Dear Student,

If you are reading this brochure it means that you are just standing at the start line of an

amazing adventure called ERASMUS.

As we all know selecting the most suitable country and institution is a hard call to make,

that’s why we would like to help you a bit by giving some information on our institution

and introducing our study programme.

Make no mistake: we are obviously here to convince you. Therefore, as you are probably

tired of boring marketing lines, let us just get straight to the point:

Szent István University in Békéscsaba invites you to an unforgettable and

lifechanging ERASMUS experience in Hungary.

Obviously, we could list here the main reasons why our institution is worth choosing. If

we did so, that would look something like this:

• Personal educational experience

• Pleasant friendly community

• Ideal student-teacher ratio

• Great student living conditions

• High quality, low cost education

Of couse, we all know that such a list only convinces teachers and parents, and this is not

what you would like to hear. So here is our list for YOU:

• An international group - with students from several European countries

• A study programme that gives you what you need - developed by staff

members who used to be ERASMUS students themselves

• A well-equiped, modern dormitory at a reasonable price - campus,

supermarket and bus stop to city center in a 2-minute-walking distance

• A unique travel experience in 4 countries - organised trips to Hungary,

the Czech Republic, Romania and Austria

• Plenty of freetime activities – with the taste of the real ERASMUS spirit

Now you are interested, right? Ok, then let’s get into details!

HOW TO GET TO YOUR FUTURE ERASMUS CITY?

LOCATION AND TRAVELLING

Our campus is located in Békéscsaba, in southeastern

Hungary on the Great Hungarian Plain. With a

population of nearly 64,000, Békéscsaba lies along

the southeastern border of Hungary, only 40

kilometres from Romania, and about 200 kilometres

from Budapest. The city is Békés County’s most

important transport hub, accessible by car, train and

coach. Historic buildings, a new cityscape, the

environmental heritage and an abundance of events

and programmes attract many visitors each year.

How to get to Békéscsaba?

By train

Békéscsaba is served by numerous train connections

from Budapest, most from Keleti Station. The trains

run approximately every hour. Try to take an

Intercity train which requires both a ticket and a

prepaid reservation but calls at fewer stations than

normal trains. Make sure you have a valid ticket

before you get on the train. The current single fare

from Budapest Keleti to Békéscsaba is

approximately 20 EUR.

Check out the Hungarian train timetable here:

http://www.mav-start.hu/english/index.php

By car

From Budapest, travel south on the M5 motorway to

Kecskemét. Then follow the signs towards

Békéscsaba on Road 44, which goes all the way from

Kecskemét to the Romanian border and it leads you

into the centre of Békéscsaba.

ABOUT THE CAMPUS

A CAMPUS FOR THE BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Campus buildings

In the recent years significant infrastructural improvements

have been carried out at the Faculty. In addition to the two

old wings, a new building was added, which houses the

Main Lecture Hall with seats for 325 people, as well as the

modern, well-equipped Library.

The Library

The Library has 70 thousand books and 60 new computer

terminals to assist the students in their studies. In our Main

Building there are also two open access computer rooms

and free wireless internet is provided for our students.

Students Residence Hall

Our Student Residence Hall has also been renovated and

extended recently, it provides accommodation in 2 and 2x2

bed apartments with internet access. In the building of the

Residence Hall there is also a conference room for 40

people, TV-rooms with plasma TV’s and free sunbeds.

Sport facilities

The Faculty has a Sports Hall which is suitable for housing

sports events, training camps, expos, exhibitions, concerts,

cultural and social events, balls, receptions, etc.

Thanks to continuous developments, besides the traditional

sports sessions we can also offer more specialized classes in

aerobics and kung-fu to our students. In 2008 the Sports

Hall was extended with a warm-up area and a fully

equipped gym.

All these facilities together with the student-friendly

atmosphere that our uni provides make a comfortable,

pleasant and ideal environment for students.

ABOUT THE STUDY PROGRAMME WE OFFER YOU

BECOME A GLOBAL MINDED EU CITIZEN!

Being our ERASMUS student means a unique opportunity for

you to become a well-trained and experienced European

citizen and a responsible member of our global society.

To make this happen, our programme offers you the

knowledge and development that are essential for an open-

minded and qualified graduate who you probably desire to

be. This includes both academic courses on the most

important aspects of the European Union, as well as

practice-oriented sessions on global issues, languages,

presentation skills and intercultural learning.

To set up the most appropriate study programme for

yourself, have a look at our list of courses.

COMPULSORY COURSES Course ECTS Assessment Focus on global issues 3 credits presentations

Intercultural learning 3 credits final report

Introduction to sustainability 3 credits written assignment

Information search techniques and project work

3 credits presentations and report

TOTAL 12 credits

EU ENTREPRENEUR MODULE Course ECTS Assessment EU and globalization 3 credits exam

European Finance 3 credits exam. presentation

European Marketing Tendencies

3 credits exam

European demographical and regional analysis

3 credits written assigment

European business cultures 3 credits written assigment

EU projects in practice 2 credits reflective log

Business English 3 credits presentation and exam

Presentation skills 2 credits presentations

Negotiation skills 2 credits presentations

Career techniques 2 credits written assignments

European Classroom 2 credits written assignment

Language courses: German, Russian, English

2 credits exam

TOTAL 30 credits min. 18 to choose

ABOUT ACCOMODATION

A MODERN, WELL-EQUIPPED HOSTEL TO STAY AT

As some us were students abroad once, we know that a perfect ERASMUS experience cannot be

imagined without a modern, well-equipped place to stay at. This is exactly what our Alma Mater

Hostel offers. Are you ready to check-in?

PERFECT LOCATION

The hostel is located in a suburb of Békéscsaba, surrounded by forest and nature. However,

everything that matters is in a 2-minute walking distance.

Most importantly: you do not need to spend time on travelling to the campus. You can easily

leave home at 7.55, and be at school on time at 8.00. If you need some books or magazines to read,

our library is next to the hostel as well.

In case you want to do some sport, our sporthall, gym and all weather football pitch are

available. If you want to have a walk, the small paths of the nearby forests are waiting for you to

discover them.

And last, but not least: the bus stop to the center is just in front of the campus, so city life,

shopping centers and parties are only a 5-minute-long bus ride away from your apartment.

All weather

Football

pitch Sports Hall

and gym

Campus

building

Hostel

Supermarket

Bus stop to city

center

Library

School canteen

ABOUT ACCOMODATION

LIVING LIKE AN ERASMUS FAMILY

As we believe in the power of community, our housing policy

reflects just that. Therefore, our incoming ERASMUS students are

accomodated in 2x2 bed apartments.

Ideally, there are 4 students living in each apartment. The

apartments have two bedrooms, both for two people and the four

of them share a kitchen and a bathroom. In the bedroom you

will have your own wardrobe, bed and desk, and also some

shelves on the wall.

We certainly provide you with bed linen and towels, as well as

weekly cleaning service. The rooms also have cable TV and

high-speed, unlimited internet connection.

Living this way makes sure that you are not spending a

significant amount of your ERASMUS time alone, or wasting it on

Facebook, chatting with friends. Living together creates a really

strong bond among students, and undoubtedly makes your

ERASMUS experience even more unforgettable.

However, if you still prefer to have your own room, it is possible

to have one at a higher price.

INPUT & OUTPUT ISSUES

There are two major questions that every ERASMUS student will

definitely face: what will I eat and where will I wash my clothes?

Here are our answers:

COOKING FACILITES: All apartments have well-equiped

kitchens with dishes, hot plate, refridgerator, etc. So if you

are good at cooking, you may prepare your own dishes for

yourself.

Of course, you can always cooperate: in case you can’t

cook, or you just would like to save on food, discuss it with

your flatmates. If people in your apartment decide to cook

together, you can spare some money on the ingredients.

LAUNDRY: When it comes to washing clothes, you don’t

need to go far to do it. Our hostel has two laundry rooms

with coin operated washing machines on the ground floor,

where the job can easily be done. You only need some

washing powder and conditioner, plus 100 FT (0,35 EUR)

for the machine.

OFFERED FREETIME ACTIVITIES – 2013/14 – 1st semester

TRAVEL EXPERIENCE IN FOUR COUNTRIES

We know it as well as you do, that ERASMUS is much more than a simple study programme: it is also

a great possibility to discover some unknown parts of EUROPE.

HUNGARY – HIDDEN TREASURES: To ensure that you will not leave Hungary without discovering

it, we organise low-cost domestic trips to the following places:

CENTRAL-EUROTRIP: Due to the fact that Hungary is situated in the heart of Central-Europe, we

have the unique opportunity to offer you some low-cost trips to the Czech Republic, Austria and

Romania as well. Here are our planned destinations:

BOGA VALLEY (ROMANIA)

VIENNA (AUSTRIA)

PRAGUE (CZECH REPUBLIC)

So, if you decide to apply, you’d better take your backpack. Also, make sure, you don’t to forget your

swimming suit or trunks, especially if you do not want to miss the chance to visit the Castle Bath

and Spa of Gyula, just 15 kilometres from our Campus:

EXCITED ENOUGH? Then check out the next pages for more details!

BUDAPEST

LAKE BALATON

DEBRECEN

SZEGED

OFFERED FREETIME ACTIVITIES – 2013/14 – 1st semester

A QUALITY FREETIME DURING THE SEMESTER

INFO DAY AND WELCOME PARTY: Learn everything about our

faculty, dormitory, library and computer rooms, and have an

unforgettable welcome party in the first week.

COMPETITIONS AND CONTESTS:

Make a report and a presentation in English on a topic you

are particularly interested in, and present it in front of a

jury at the Student Research Competition of our

Faculty.

Take pictures during your stay and participate in our

ERASMUS Photo Contest.

WEEKEND TRIPS: You can sign up and purchase your ticket for

our weekend trips organised during the semester.

Visit the beautiful Votive Church and city centre of Szeged

Discover the Parliament and the most remarkable

landmarks of Budapest

Take a walk in the fabulous city park of Debrecen.

Have a swim and sunbathe at Lake Balaton

You can also join us on an excursion to the Boga Valley

(Romania), Prague (Czech Republic) during the semester, and to

Vienna (Austria) just prior to the Holidays, where you can take

care of your Christmas shopping at the famous Advent Market as

well.

If all of this is not enough, then you will be able to get a taste of

Hungarian lifestyle:

Join our ERASMUS grape harvesting team, and learn

how wine is made. Take part in the work, and get a bottle

of wine at the end of the day as a reward.

“Law and sausage are two things you do not want to see

being made.” Disagree? Then just be a part of our team

at the internationally known “Sausage Festival of

Békéscsaba”, help us make the “ERASMUS sausage” and

win the competition.

Are you interested in how Hungarian family life usually

goes on? Then join our “Adopt an ERASMUS student for a

weekend” programme after your arrival, and spend a

whole weekend with a Hungarian family to find out.

ABOUT FINANCIAL ISSUES

LET’S TALK ABOUT MONEY

Now, after reading what we have to offer you, let’s see how your future ERASMUS programme in

Békéscsaba looks like from a financial point of view.

PAYMENTS - AS SIMPLY AS POSSIBLE

It is hard to find students who like paperwork, administration, money transfer forms and such

things. We assume you are no different. Therefore, we have made our payment system as simple

as possible. You can pay all the emerging compulsary fees of your ERASMUS programme in one,

during the first month of your semester.

ACCOMODATION AND STUDENT SERVICES FEE

Our incoming ERASMUS students only pay an accomodation and student services fee, which is

750 € for the whole semester in 2013. This includes:

- accomodation in a 2 bed room, bed linen – no extra cost for utilities

- high-speed internet connection

- cutlery, crockery, dishes, hot plate, microwave oven and fridge for each apartment

(2x2 people)

- weekly cleaning service in every room, bathroom and kitchen

If you’d prefer a single room, it is also possible to request one. However, in this case the fee goes

up to 1120 euro/semester, which is still absolutely reasonable and lower than the fee of a similar

service in Western-Europe.

THIS MEANS: A LOT MORE MONEY FOR TRAVELLING AND FREETIME

Suppose, you have an ERASMUS grant of 350 €/month, and your ERASMUS semester is planned

to be 5 months long. This means that your ERASMUS BUDGET is 1750 € in total.

Now let’s see what would happen with your grant in Hungary and in Western Europe.

COST CATEGORIES – BÉKÉSCSABA, HUNGARY PAID/SEMESTER BALANCE Accomodation with internet, bed linen and cleaning 750 € 1000 € Food and daily products approx. 500 € 500 €

Travelling to destination and back home approx. 100 € 400 € Money left for trips, gifts, parties, other activities 400 €

COST CATEGORIES – WESTERN EUROPE PAID/SEMESTER BALANCE Accomodation with internet, bed linen (no cleaning service) 1250 € 750 € Food and daily products approx. 625 € 125 €

Travelling to destination and back home approx. 100 € 25 € Money left for trips, gifts, parties, other activities 25 €

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

THE FIRST STEP

Similarly to our payment system, our application process is student-friendly as well. You do not

need to attach tons of documents: there is only a single application form to fill out.

DOWNLOAD OUR APPLICATION FORM

From 1st February 2013, you can access our updated website at www.gk.sziu.hu. Go to the section

for incoming students, and download the application form. Then:

- Fill it out digitally

- Print out two copies

- Sign it

- Get the signature of your sending coordinator and a stamp of your insitution

- Send the original ones by post

- Send a scanned copy by e-mail to: erasmus@gk.szie.hu

Once we have received your application, we will confirm it via e-mail, and we will issue an official

invitation letter afterwards. As soon as you have it, your unforgettable mobility adventure will

literally start.

CONTACT US

YOUR LIFE-CHANGING ERASMUS EXPERIENCE IS

ALREADY WAITING FOR YOU HERE!

Szent István University – Faculty of Economics, Agricultural and Health Sciences

International Office

Békéscsaba, Bajta utca 33.

5600 Hungary

Tel: +36-66-524-700 (ext. 1044) Fax: +36-66-447-002

Website: www.gk.sziu.hu E-mail: erasmus@gk.szie.hu

FIND US ONLINE

If you have any further questions concerning your future ERASMUS programme here in Békéscsaba,

we are always ready to help you. There are several ways to contact us:

E-MAIL: erasmus@gk.szie.hu

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/erasmus.bekescsaba

SKYPE: szie.erasmus

SO, ARE YOU READY TO COME TO BÉKÉSCSABA?

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