Life experience: 10 months in Hungary
This is how Hungarian kids greet each other. It kinda means 'Hey guys' in our language. And it was the first sentence l learned on the first day when l got here. And the sentence l used most through the 10 months of living here.
If you type 'Hungary' in Google or ask a random person about this country, they most likely will tell you things like 'it's a very poor country', 'people are so rude there', or 'oh l've never heard of it, is it really a country?'. I know, because l experienced it when l told some people l was coming here. And after this long time l'm fully shocked by what everyone thinks of this amazing place.
It's not a poor country at all, or at least l never experienced it was. Of course, it's maybe not as modern as Japan or the USA. There aren't skyscrapers, yes. But there are so many old buildings especially in Budapest that you nearly don't know which one to look at or which one to take a photo of.
People are rude? Not at all. Everybody was so friendly to me all the time, maybe even friendlier than at home in LA. Because let's be honest, there are tons of very rude people in LA, too, just like nice ones of course. But l think we can't say 'it's a rude nation and the other one is a nice nation', we can say there are rude and nice people in all nations.
And if you or your neighbor have never heard of this country, l'm sorry, but you miss something wonderful from your life. Just come here and spend only a day in Budapest, you'll see and learn what l'm talking about.
10 months is a long time. Especially if you're on the other side of the world, far from your family and friends. However, l must admit tht l was lucky as most of the times there was one of my friends or family members here with me. But l feel like if l they weren't here with me, anyway l would still enjoy my time here 100%. Because of the loving people who surrounded me.
My host family was really the best anyone can wish for. My host mom Gréta, host dad Balázs and the lil host brother Boti. They gave me so much that l'm incredibly grateful for them, for their love, understanding, patience and really everything. I'm sure l will come back to see them again.
And the new friends. You may know the feeling of being the 'new girl' in a class, it makes you nervous and you feel outstanding because everybody know everybody but you know no one. Well, here it was all different. From the very first moment, everybody was friendly and they all wanted to be friends. So yeah, l'm sure l will come back the see all the students and teachers, my new friends again.
I've seen the whole country now. Thanks to my awesome host family who took me everywhere at the weekends and after school. There are so many things to see and do in this small country. Hungary maybe doesn't have any beaches (but you have Lake Balaton and Lake Tisza) or big mountains (but you can still go for a good hike in the Matra hills) or tons of large cities (but you have Budapest which is truly the most beautiful city l've ever been to). So, if you're thinking where to go on holiday next year, come to Hungary, you won't regret it. ;)
It was quite an emotional post, l know. The fact is that l fell in love so much with the country that l don't even want to leave. But of course, things never go as we want them to, and l'm going home tomorrow.
So bye-bye Hungary and all my friends here, see you in August!
Love,
Kim<3
9 comments - Life experience: 10 months in Hungary
wish it was me
but i will have my turn too