#1 Central Europe’s largest lake – summer at Lake Balaton #2 Thermal baths are some of the world’s finest #3 Wide variety of cultural entertainment #4 Food capital, and for good reason #5 Super affordable
“I think Hungary is one of the best countries to do your exchange program in. Not only because Hungarian people are so friendly and Hungarian is food is really good, but from the moment I arrived to Hungary I found myself in a big AFS family. If I had another chance to have another exchange year I would choose Hungary again because I found myself there.” Helin from Turkey
„Being an exchange student is Hungary was the best thing that ever happened to me. Everything about this country: the culture, the people and of course all those beautiful cities keep making me fall in love with the country.” Revindy from Indonesia
Thanks to an abundance of natural hot springs, Hungary can boast around 450 public spas and bathhouses. A prominent bathing culture has existed since Roman times.
Hungary has produced 13 Nobel laureates to date – more per capita than the likes of Finland, Spain, Canada and Australia – bagging every category except peace.
Legend has it that when the 1848 Hungarian revolution against the Habsburgs was defeated, 13 Hungarian generals were executed, with the Austrians clinking their beer glasses after each execution. As a result, Hungarians vowed not to cheers with beer for 150 years – and while the time has passed, the custom remains.
Budapest has continental Europe’s oldest metro: Beginning operations in 1896, it is also the second oldest electrically operated underground railway in the world, predated only by the London Underground.
