Preparations and Anticipations

Less than a week before I leave!  That doesn't seem like a lot of time, considering I still have to pack (and figure out WHAT to pack).  I'm definitely excited about going.  I should be after spending almost a year applying for this and filling out lots of paperwork.  It's one thing to say, "Oh, I'm going to Budapest for 5 months to study math", but to be there, not knowing where anything is, not knowing how to ask where anything is (Hungarian is a really complicated language), and not knowing anyone at all, is going to be a very defining experience for me.  No amount of advice, studying, sleep, or open-mindedness will fully prepare me for the adventure that will be the next 5 months.

Just a few things I'm worried and a bit nervous about:

Room: As of now, I don't know where I'm living.  I know it'll be an apartment somewhere in the city, but I don't know how much rent will be, who I'm living with, how to get to the school, or where anything will be.

Board: I don't think I have a meal plan (this is probably scarier for us St. Olaf students than anyone else...I guess the orange juice isn't included).  Then again I'll be in the middle of Europe.  I don't think I'll starve =)

The language: Anyone who has ever looked at Hungarian can see that it's, well, complicated.  There are some 44 letters (14 of which are vowels).  There are "back words" and "front words", which take different suffixes depending on which vowels are used in the root word.  There are levels of politeness (similar to Japanese), and then lots of different conjugations.  If you're still interested, here's the wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_language

and here's a wikipedia page in Hungarian: http://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kezdőlap

I know how to say: A nevem Máté (my name is Mathew), köszönöm (thank you), igen (yes), nem (no), egészségedre (cheers or bless you).  I'm taking a 3-week language course when I get there, so hopefully I will be able to say more sophisticated things.

People: I'm the only student from St. Olaf or Carleton going this semester, compared to the 5 Oles and 7-8 Carls who went last semester.  Part of the semester will overlap with the Interim (January) course offered, so I will probably see some people I know there, but they won't be staying the entire semester.  Fortunately I will be able to meet the other math nerds of America.  Yay!

That's all for now.  I should probably start thinking about packing and getting everything out of my room on campus here.  Next post will probably be next week, either before the plane ride or after, depending on how tired I am.  =)

Sincerely,
Mathew