International students often opt for universities in Budapest due to their prestige and good reputation across Europe. However, there are several other quality universities outside the Hungarian capital. Pécs, Debrecen, and Szeged are all great examples. Let us look at some pros for the University of Szeged.
Small town charm with all the advantages of a big city
Szeged is not a small city, yet you can get anywhere relatively fast. The public transportation is well-organised. Traffic is not that heavy, which makes it ideal for biking, too. You can easily cycle from one place to another. It takes mere minutes to get to the riverbank from downtown, which is the ideal place for a breezy walk, run, or quiet study away from the noise of the city.
Easier on your wallet
Life is much cheaper pretty much everywhere than in Budapest. Since the city is full of students from all around, there are a lot of places available for rent, 24.hu writes.
While in Budapest, it is a challenge to find a place under 280 euros + utilities per month, in Szeged, rooms usually start at around 56 euros (+ utilities) a month, or 168 euros (+ utilities) for an entire flat (with 1.5 rooms).
Plus, your chances of moving in together with another university student are much higher than in Budapest. If you are looking for dormitories, Szeged has around 5,000 spaces for those who could not afford a sublet. These rooms are also way cheaper than dorms in the capital.
Apart from housing, having fun is going to cost a lot less, too. If you are clubbing, hanging out at bars, or attending a concert or festival, you will likely spend much less than you would in the capital. While it is cheaper, the options are not at all limited.
Szeged offers a wide variety of possibilities in terms of cultural events, clubs, and bars, and the summer is usually packed with outdoor festivals, such as SZIN or the annual Szeged Open Air Festival. Apart from entertainment, food and going to the gym or the library are all way cheaper in Szeged than Budapest.