Fall: 18 weeks (September 1 - December 20, 2008)
Spring: 17 weeks (late January to mid May)
Academic Year

Fall Semester 2008 closed

Sponsored by the Eli Broad College of Business and James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Budapest is an exciting city, rich in history and cultural achievement, but also undergoing massive change as Hungary adapts to the challenges of transition to a market economy and a democratic political system. This setting provides a historic opportunity for students to observe social and economic change as it unfolds. Managers, policy makers, economists, and others with an understanding of the Hungarian and Central European economic, social, cultural, and political situation will be in a unique position to help U.S. firms and institutions operate in this environment.

This program at Corvinus University of Budapest is open to students from all colleges and is of special interest to students of the Eli Broad College of Business and James Madison College. It gives students the chance to study business, economics, political economy, Hungarian language & culture, international relations, political theory, public affairs, history and social relations, all in English!

An important focus of the experience is on the political, economic and social change underway in the struggle to build democratic governments and market economies in the wake of the fall of Communism.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

	Spring Semester	Fall Semester
Arrival	late January	late August/early September
1st day of classes	late January/early February	early September
Spring break	early April (1 week)	N/A
Last day of classes	late May	mid December
Final exams	late May	mid December
Departure	late May	late December (week before Christmas)

What can I study?

This program is designed for undergraduate students with an interest in:

While many of these subjects are approved areas of study, it is the student’s responsibility to consult with an adviser to determine specific course equivalencies and offerings during their intended semester of study.

It offers a program of formal coursework and lectures at the premier social science and business university in Hungary – Corvinus University of Budapest, formerly the Budapest University of Economic Sciences and Public Administration and Karl Marx University.

Students in the Eli Broad College of Business would generally take three courses equivalent to an MSU business and/or economics course and two electives.

James Madison students might assist their progress toward completing a major in International Relations, Political Theory, or Social Relations or the College’s specialization in political economy by taking special topics courses relevant to their field and language electives. The program should be particularly attractive to students interested in careers in international business, allowing Madison students to take business courses that would normally be open only to business college majors in East Lansing.

Students will work with the faculty contact for this program to determine MSU transfer equivalencies for courses taken at Corvinus University of Budapest. Copies of the course catalog are available at the Office of Study Abroad.

All students are required to enroll in a minimum of fifteen (15) credits per semester.

This is a co-sponsored program.  Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/people/students.html.
 
Contact the study abroad program coordinator listed below to learn more about available courses. To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit http://transfer.msu.edu/Institution.asp and http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROINFO/CSSAP/CSSAPmain.asp. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

This program is open to MSU students who are in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must also submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

This program is intended for upper-class students; graduating seniors are given preference.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Depending on space availability, students may have the option of living in a residence hall.

Alternatively, students can rent apartments, assisted by the International Studies Center (ISC), which they may share with other Michigan State students or Corvinus University students.

The average monthly living expenses (housing, meals, local travel, and daily incidentals) in Budapest are approximately $700 - $950, depending on student lifestyle.

Who can tell me more about this program?

For James Madison majors:
Norman Graham
James Madison College
358 S. Case Hall
Phone: (517) 353-3372 or 353-6753
E-mail: grahamn@msu.edu

For Business majors:
Jayne Braverman
Eli Broad College of Business
Undergraduate Academic Services
332 Eppley Center
Phone: (517) 355-7605
E-mail: braverman@bus.msu.edu

Dwight Handspike
Eli Broad College of Business
Undergraduate Academic Services
332 Eppley Center
Phone: (517) 355-7605
E-mail: handspike@bus.msu.edu

For other majors or on-site issues:
John Jensen
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-8424
E-mail: jensen27@msu.edu

You can also log-on to Corvinus University of Budapest’s Web site at http://isc.bke.hu.

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter other countries. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

A valid passport and student visa are required for entry into Hungary for all international students. This process is currently taking approximately three months so students are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as they have been admitted into the program.

For more information about visas visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations, visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee for Fall Semester 2008 is $4,285 and includes the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

A total for costs not included in the program fee is approximately $7,860 per semester.

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

For further information about financial aid, visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for academic year and fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting the following Web page: http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for fall or academic year participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu