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Central European University Budapest (CEU)
Central European University, Nador u. 9 - 1051 Budapest 5, Hungary
3.93 / 5 based on 132 reviews.
77% of students recommend
132 reviews
132 Language reviews of Central European University Budapest
by Marjolein, Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
International Relations, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't. Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
Language of instruction was English, so no problems at all. Hungarian was only needed in the street, I did some language courses to learn a bit more than the basics, to get around etc. and that was a very good experience. Just adds a lot to you understanding of life and culture if you speak the local language (a bit). However, Hungarian is amongst the most difficult languages and nobody else except Hungarians speak it, so lots of dedication is in order! This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Sabiha, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
European Studies, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't. Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
Learning Hungarian was a challenge to me especially because I was surrounded by international students rather than Hungarians which made it hard to practice and develop my Hungarian. However, that international environment helped to develop my English. My language of instruction in Turkey was English too, but in Hungary, speaking all the time English with my friends, I guess I improved my speaking skills. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Konstantin, Higher School of Economics, Saint-Petersburg (branch), Russia
Political Science, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't. Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases Personal comments:
... well, studying Hungarian is something else. It's a hard language, and there is little time for it, since you get very busy with homework and different sorts of assignment. the good news is that you don't have to speak hungarian here. School is all in english; plus, a lot of people ouside of school can at least understand english (and sell you a beer in english as well :) This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by caroline, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Law, International, University Agreement
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't. Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Did not speak it Personal comments:
Life outside the campus required quite some knowldge of the local langauge as Hungarian do not speak a lot of english, however the University made it easy for international students to get around by providing all the necessary information for living in Hungary and organised plenty of activities for the international students. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Nigora, Russian-Tajik Slavonic University, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Sociology, Open Society Institute-Soros Foundation
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't. Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
The language did not pose any barriers. I have studied previoiusly in the US, so I am very fluent in English: my TOEFL is 647. However, it is a bit difficult without the knowledge of Hungarian, particularly in social, public situations. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by István, Universitatea "Babes-Bolyai" din Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
History, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) Personal comments:
Since I'm a Transylvanian Hungarian (Transylvania being part of Romania), my first language is Hungarian, that's why I didn't have any problems with the language of the host-country, which is Hungary. My English seemed to have improved during my time at CEU but not because of the other students but because either of the academic work (lectures, working with texts) or some of the students (native speakers of English.) Unfortunately, most of the students at CEU have at best an upper-intermediate level of English which is further downgraded to some sort of Eastern-European pidgin-English when they interact among themselves (speakers of English as a second language). This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Vladimir, Univerzitet "Sv. Kiril i Metodij", Skopje, Macedonia
Environmental Sciences, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases Personal comments:
Hungarian is a difficult language to be learned in less than a year. I know only basic phrases. My language of instruction was English - with which I had no problems during my Masters studies. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by gagalook, Univerzitet u Beogradu, Belgrade, Serbia
History, Open Society Fellowship
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
Except new knowledge I had opportunity to learn new methods, face with nes subjects and to meet new people This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Joke, Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Business Studies, Erasmus
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
Citizens of the host country did not speak eEglish, but it was not a problem, it was even good for myself! This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Vusal, Baku State University, Baku, Azerbaijan
Law, Civil, OSI
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases Personal comments:
Came in speaking english, spoke it and left speaking english. Russian also was one of the dominant languages in my social life. Azerbaijani with my compatriates. Turkish with the turks. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by JasonVarga, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States
Financial Management, University Agreement
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
I think I can always use more prctice, but I feel comfortable, if a bit slow in a business situation. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Diana, Universitatea din Bucuresti, Bucharest, Romania
Public Administration, Soros Foundation Scholarship
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases Personal comments:
I guess "performing" in English all day long was a great way of exercising the English I have learned while watching MTV back home:) This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Yevgeniy, Tinbergen Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Economics, Masters program
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
Hungarian is a nice and interesting language, and I enjoyed studying it. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by ROBERT007, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
History, Post graduate study
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Basic phrases My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
It was very good experience to improve "academic" English language. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by spemmet, New School UNiversity, New York City, United States
International Relations, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Did not speak it Personal comments:
hungarian is such a difficult language. i neither felt the need nor the desire to learn it. the basics were fine. local language not necessary for the experience. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Ovidiu, Universitatea "Babes-Bolyai" din Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
International Relations, MA degee
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
The English language courses are in a continuous expansion, but still not enough This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Kelsey, Florida International University, Miami, United States
Public Administration, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: At ease in most situations My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Basic phrases My level after: At ease in most situations Personal comments:
Hungarian is very difficult but a very interesting language. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Dmitri, Free International University of Moldova (ULIM), Chisinau, Moldova
Political Science, Independent
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Personal comments:
Good English language oral and written experience. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Michael, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Business Studies, University Agreement
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang) My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang) How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases Personal comments:
It was taught in my mother tongue. This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
by Simona, SUPAS, Bucharest, Romania
Sociology, University Agreement
Language difficulties
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction.
Was learning English a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my English Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my knowledge How much did you improve your English?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Basic phrases How much did you improve your local language?
My level before: Did not speak it My level after: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.) Personal comments:
very good This review is the opinion of an iAgora member, and not of iAgora itself
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About iAgora
iAgora provides university reviews and ratings by international graduates, Erasmus and exchange students. International rankings and admission details to graduate programmes like masters, MSc, MBAs and summer courses at Central European University Budapest and other business schools and universities.
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No problems.
I coped pretty well.
Sometimes it was difficult.
It was a constant struggle.
