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From Abroad

I?m fed up with the bureaucracy of finalizing my school schedule.

My request is simple: I?m an international student wanting to take 5-7 classes relating to my major, with local Hungarian students, in English. I don?t think my ambitions are lofty and I?m certainly not the first with these requests. I?m attending a school of 30,000 students and over 50 exchange students per year NOT a 3,000 student school with 5 exchange students.
Why, after all of these years this school has dealt with exchange students, am I having so many barriers to take the classes that I want to take?

One of the reasons I came to the University of Szeged was the massive list of class options for exchange students. I thought (keyword: thought) they would be a normal class set-up; a lecture hall, inspiring Hungarian teacher, group projects. Here are the classes I wanted to take:

1. Introduction to Hungarian Culture
2. The Media in American Society
3. Ethnology of Religion in Hungarian and European Society
4. Business Communication
5. Project Management in the EU

1. Introduction to Hungarian Culture
Introduction to Hungarian Culture is run through the Hungarian Studies Department. Little did the exchange students know, the International Exchange office and the Hungarian Studies Department are not on good terms. In consequence, the offices have poor communication. I found out the day, time, and place of the class through other exchange students, who found out about the class from last semesters exchange students, who eventually told us about other classes offered on a website that was IN ENGLISH (a rare beautiful commodity) that we were never sent or informed of.

The class filled some of my wishes. I have a great teacher, fun material to cover, but no local Hungarian students in the class.

2. The Media in American Society
After I tracked down the professors e-mail address (which was not an easy task, I had to ask my friend Nora to help) I wrote the professor and asked what day, time, and place the class was held. I thought the professor would be thrilled to have an American in his class to give a personal perspective on the subject material. Unfortunately, this was the response I received from the teacher:

Miss Lovell:
Why would an American want to learn about the USA in Hungary? Could you give me your reasons and tell me what kind of an exchange student you are? At the same time, may I suggest that you join the Hungarian Studies program of the University? It has many courses to offer to international students about this country. It is located at 103 Tisza Lajos körút, in the Irinyi Bldg.

Ouch. I?ll take that as a your not welcomed to attend the class.

3. Ethnology of Religion in Hungarian and European Society
Tracking down my professor for Ethnology of Religion?s e-mail was quite a task. You can now call me Detective Lovell. But after many google searches (and again with the help of my friend Nora) I came across his contact information and sent him an e-mail?and did not get a response after a week. Grrrreeat! I then ask the International Office to help me find his office. Progress!
I then head to the building where his office is only to find that his office has been moved. Failure!
Thank goodness the porter (aka door keeper-security guard-helper) understood when I held up a sign with the teachers name on it and personally led me to his new office. Progress!
His office hours were from 11-12. Progress!
11:15?no sign of him?11:30?no sign of him?Failure!

But luckily around 11:35, he came to his office where I learn that this Ethnology of Religion in Hungarian and European Society is by ?consultation only? which means that the teacher is forced to add on another course if someone is interested in the subject. (Read: One-on-one with the professor who doesn?t want to be there in the first place) I wish you could have seen his face when he realized that I was an exchange student. It?s a real uplift when you know your teacher doesn?t have the time or desire to meet with you.

Unfortunately for both of us, this class is one of my required courses to take to graduate on time so we?re both going to have to tough if out.

4. Business Communication
This story if my favorite. I was rejected for my first go-around for business communication because the class was ?too full? and seeking out a larger classroom or letting me just pull up a chair in the back wasn?t an option. I should have known, the class with Hungarians in English was too good to be true
As a result, I had to opt for an evening class of Business Communication.

I attended the class on Tuesday and the teacher is late (what a shocker) and looks slightly older than me. He hands out a one page syllabus where we learn that 50% of our grade is attendance and 50% is on a classroom presentation and we?re only meeting six times this entire semester. After handing us the syllabus, he asks, ?So, does anyone have any questions??
Wow. Am I paying for this?
Our two hour lecture lasted a dinky 20 minutes.
My favorite part was realizing that 1. He didn?t even take attendance 2. Our classroom doesn?t have PowerPoint accessibility.

Again, this is one of my required classes. I need to quite complaining and count it as a Christmas gift from Uni. Of Szeged to me. Thank you for the free credits!

5. Project Management in the EU
I do what everyone is supposed to do when they want to find the day and time of a class, e-mail the professor and pray that they respond. Luckily, the teacher responded within two days (a new record I might add) with a friendly, you?re the second person interested in the class and I?m on maternity leave so?I?ll let you decided?but?it won?t be a normal class. (Read: I don?t want to add something else to my schedule. Can you find another class? Thanks.)

One ?consultation only? will be enough for me this semester, thanks.

In conclusion, the only class that fits my wish list of English speaking, with Hungarians, is Business Communication, and we?re only meeting 6 times this semester?.for 20 minutes.