Hungarian Dreams

Franklin Wang

Education Abroad

1. With the help of the Ohio State University, my step money went towards the Global May Hungary trip to Budapest, Hungary. The Office of International Affairs helped to make it possible as well. At Budapest Metropolitan University, we took classes on Hungarian culture, history, economics, and most importantly, the role of Hungary in the European Union. The program took place on May the 3rd to June the fourth and fortunately was a three credit hour class that counted as a GE elective.

2. Every study abroad program gives you a different perspective, what makes this one different? Unlike other European cities, Hungarian culture and history aren’t as well known to Americans. Being first hand in Budapest transformed my perspective on the other side of history. This was a country who fought with Nazi Germany against the allies. People in this country, not Nazi Germans, took charge in deporting and executing the Jewish populations. This trip allowed me to understand why many cultures refuse to acknowledge their past or try to put their own cleaner version of history.

Having the opportunity to meet others is very valuable as well. It opens many networking opportunities and by seeing their stories, you could easily start writing your own story. Besides the diversity, you start to understand their educational circumstances, their life growing up, and their motivation for better opportunities in and outside Hungary. I don’t see the world from a smaller scope, however. I see the cultures in Europe coming together and playing a part in the European Union and the globalized world we live in today.

3. Events that led to my transformation included traveling to Szechenyi and Gellert baths in Budapest. Crowds of people flock to these thermal baths, which are the largest in Europe. Seeing older gentlemen playing chess and people celebrating life in the sun made me realize how much these baths mattered to their culture to the extent of a national symbol. Without going to the bathhouses, I wouldn’t understand how the locals spent their recreational time outside of everyday work and activities. The baths also have a long history dating back to Turkish occupation. Although they disliked the Turks, the baths remained.

Another event that led to my transformation of perspective is seeing the Jewish museum and the headquarters of the Gestapo in Warsaw Poland. It is hard to fathom thousands of people being herded to the Unshaplatz to be put onto trains and head towards death. It is also interesting to see how some Poles still can’t grip with the atrocities that happened in their country. It is one thing to see the Holocaust on television, but it is another thing to be at the places where the victims stood. I was quite humbled by the events of human history, and to see it from a first-hand approach.

4. I gained a new appreciation for those who died in the Second World War and the subsequent anti- communist uprising. It showed that even in times of oppression and tyranny, people were willing to give their all, including their lives, to fight for what they believe in. The revolutionary spirit of that generation of Hungarian and Polish people is something we can’t replicate today. This spirit is something I will apply to my studies in Public Health. Having this world experience could play a huge advantage in helping people  from all aspects of societies. This experience influences how I learn and interpret concepts because I can apply ideas that I learned from my trip. I enjoy traveling, but this trip was definitely more than just a simple visit.