What's up, guys!! It's been more than a month that I don't write here LOL 😂 I'm so sorry because I had many things to do in my first month here, till now tho'. You know that this is my first time studying as well as living abroad, so it must be exciting yet challenging experience at the same time, mustn't it? Well, how's my life going so far? For the beginners, particular me, there are some issues I've to deal with since day one, even till now. What's that? Check it out!...

1. Language

Since I'm an international student here, I must speak in English everywhere. Unfortunately, not all of Hungarian that I meet can speak English, instead of English, they speak in Magyar. In campus, for example, all of students, professors, officers speak English very well, of course because it's an educational institution. What about if I'm outside the university? Let say, when I go to supermarket or traditional market to do my weekly shopping, what language I speak? Well, at the first day I arrived, my Indonesian friend and I went to city centre to exchange our Euro to Hungarian Forint (they accept Forint for daily transaction), but we got lost and didn't find the place, namely Sissy Travel. We didn't have internet connection at that time because our provider from Indonesia charged a significant amount of roaming 😭, so we just relied on wifi in the dorm, poor us! We tried to ask to people passed by, in English of course because that's the only international language we can speak 😂, they said "nem ertem" which mean "I don't understand". It was difficult situation when we couldn't understand what language they spoke, neither were they, we're tired of walking, asking, and almost gave up. Fortunately, someone showed us where the place was, thanks God we were rich at that time hahaha 😂 Once I was in supermarket, I was quite obvious that the shopkeeper couldn't speak  English, and I was right. When I spoke English, her expression showed that she understood nothing. I had no choice so I used body language together with few English words, hope she understood what I meant. She replied with body language too to show what I was searching for and it was funny tho' that we communicated using body language because we didn't understand each other language 😅

What I can suggest for you all who want to study or living in foreign country is learning local or at least national language of the country that you wish to go. It's better to know few local words or common expression for asking and answering. Or you can use translator devices, e.g. google and electronic translator sold in online shop, if you have enough money LOL 😁 Currently, I take 2 credits of Hungarian Class in order to learn as well as understand the basic of Magyar, so I won't get lost anymore if I find sign written in Hungarian Language 😉 

                

2. Culture

I've already known that western and eastern culture are totally different. For instance, here, if something is not related to you, it's none of your business. However in Indonesia, I use to ask and care of why my friend didn't attend the class, or even further related to class concerns, like arranging field trip or sharing an expensive lab coat, I use to lead the discussion. At first, they give positive response, but sooner or later they are disappear, I re-ask and re-arrange, no response, two - three times no response, I give up. Now I know what is the meaning of "none of your or my business", I try to be nice and kind person, but no one care. I start doing my business gradually without taking care of the other's, if they ask my help, I'll help them as much as I can, but if they don't, I don't care. It's a little bit rude for me, compare to my habit in Indonesia, but that's adaptation in new environment, I would say. There are a lot of culture differences that I can't write them all here, come and experience! 😆

One thing that I realise that between Hungary and Indonesia has similarity about the politeness. We do the same to older people, such as helping them to put their stuff into the bag, let them sit in public transportation, or even greeting each other. I still try to find another similarities among the differences here, wish me luck, guys! 😇

Living abroad for me is accepting and respecting another culture. Here I live in the dormitory which consists of 4 people in one room. The room is big enough for 4 people and has kitchen and bathroom inside. My 2 roommates come from Indonesia (one is full time student and another is exchange student), still find Indonesian  LOL 😂 and the last one is Indian. Even if with Indonesian fellows, we still have different habits, moreover you can imagine how dissimilar ours with Indians'. It is not easy to live together with people from another country because lot of things has to be agreed, e.g. cleanliness, no pork or no beef food, loudness, etc. We try to communicate what we can tolerate and what we can't directly without quipping each other through media . But we still complaining each other, hope we find better way to overcome this issue as soon as possible. 

Instead of overthinking those objections, I start falling in love to this country. What makes me fall in love? Here they are...

1. Food
I love bakery products here so much. They're big, delicious, and cheap as well 😅 There're pogacsa, kurtoskalacs, langos, and many more. They're like snack for me, every time I go to supermarket, I always buy one of them for sure. But, the taste is weird, sometimes it's too sweet or too salty for me. It's not a big deal as long as it's cheap and still can be eaten. People say that I have to try goulash, kind of soup with Hungarian spices, but I haven't tried it yet. I'm still searching for the best deal for goulash, affordable price with big enough portion and has to be perfect with my taste 😁 Hope that I'll find and try it as soon as possible.
        

2. Landscape and Transportation 
Most of the open spaces here are dominated by parks, green public spaces, and pedestrians. That's  good spatial tho' because people can spend more time enjoying good views as well as good facilities without being afraid of crashed by cars or public transportation 👍 Speaking about transportation, transportation system here and other European countries are excellent. Trains, metros, trams, buses, they are all on time, well scheduled, high quality, and linked each other, so nothing needs to be worried if I get lost, let say. One more thing, they preserve the historical building very well. They're still keep historical value strongly to be told to the younger generation and moreover, the architecture of the buildings are fascinating. One day I entered the biggest church and Hungarian Parliament Building, I was amazed by the details and ornaments inside. For you who interested in the combination of historical and architecture at the same time, I'm sure that you gonna love this country as well.

3. Peace