Embassy News

Bolyai High School Students Visit Chicago

Read the Bolyai students' impressions of the visit:

Bálint: "All I could know about the U.S.A. are from Hollywood movies and the news. By them I thought their world is very different. It's true that it's different, but not in the way I thought. Their lifestyle, their foods their homes are all different. They live a faster and a bit more complicated life than we do. I had to realise that there are more American things in Hungary than a normal Hungarian would think: fast-food restaurants, supermarkets etc... Anyway, now, after spending two weeks there I have a better opinion of America."

Bernadett: "I was surprised when I felt the American culture and life. I thought that, it’s so far from us, but when you are there, you see this isn’t the America that you can watch at TV or what the media show to you! It was a nice experience for me! America is closer than you think! It was good to see! The second surprising thing was for me that, the youth in America were much more moderate than I thought. The people who I met were not so easily party makers! But I loved them! There are a lot of nice people, but absolutely different what I imagined! First and last I can say, the USA is completely different what you can see in Hungary about this country. You have to see it personally!"

Dávid F.: "Before visiting Chicago I thought the US was all about Hollywood, skyscrapers, hamburgers, baseball and huge cars slowly moving into the centers of incredibly large cities. Well, I saw all that. But I saw a great deal of other things that changed this stereotype in my head, probably forever. 
  I understand now why America is said to be the land of opportunities. Because everyone is taught how to manage their own life. Because it does not matter what sport or field of study you choose, you have a chance to become master of it. Because there are so many different people, you learn from them every day. And because team spirit is important.
   But at the end of the day it really does not matter if I am from Europe or the States, what matters is that we are all the same and we are all different at the same moment. I do believe I got to know a great culture during my visit and I was amazed how well designed Chicago was. (But to be honest, my mom still makes better food than what I had there...)"

Dávid Sz.: "The two weeks I had spent in Chicago was a really good experience. I always wanted to visit the USA and I was really happy that I could have done that with my friends. The people there were extremely kind. Their culture was not new to me because I had lived in Toronto, Canada for five years, and Toronto is very similar to Chicago. I would love to go back there again if I had a chance."

Gábor B.: "My imagination of the USA did not change too much in the 2 weeks I've passed there. The world I've seen in films is very similar to reality. The rate of living is high. It's a huge and powerful country. I felt very well when we were in the US, and was fun to experience the American culture and hospitality. It was hard to leave and I hope that in the future I will have the opportunity to go back."

Gábor T.: "What experiences changed the way I think about America? This two-week journey didn't change my opinion about the USA - it made me sure what I think about it. I watched in different movies and films that it's a rich and developed country. When I was there I saw lots of amazing and huge skyscrapers, attractive parks and there was a wide range of opportunities to do in the afternoons. It was just like a fairy-tale - these two weeks weren't enough to spend in the US, I would certainly go back anytime."

Judit: "My view has changed a lot. I thought that the USA is a dangerous place. I know that Chicago is not the most dangerous city, but I thought that there are more crimes, and dangerous people. The people there, mostly at Walter Payton are, very friendly, and kind. I met a lot of new people, and I think I have some friends there, not just from the exchange students. But the educational system is very different. I didn't think that there are so many differences between the two systems."

Kinga: "I think we are very fortunate. At first I was afraid of speaking in English because I wasn't good at talking. But some days later I became better and better. My exchange family helped me with their helpfulness and patience. I visited a ton of famous places for example: The Hancock Observatory, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier…etc. I got to know a complicated educational system. I haven't understood it all yet.  People are calm, friendly and patient. They have enough free time not as Hungarian people.  If you have possibility to travel to any English-speaking country than use this possibility because this is the best way of improving your knowledge. Finally, my opinion about America hasn't changed that I imaged before this trip."

Kitty: "This far, I formed my opinion about the USA based upon the movies that can be seen in televisions and cinemas. But now that I had the opportunity to taste how life is going on over there I have to ascertain, that unlike my ideological imagination they have to work and study as hard as in our country, if not harder. Their schools possess really improved technical background and the students live in a tight schedule with their parents so that they can keep up with the fast American development pace."

Kristóf: "My opinion about the USA was mainly formed by what I heard about it, and what I saw in films, because I've never been there until the exchange program. I was very happy when it turned out that we can take part in it, and it will be in Chicago. It was a huge experience for me. Everybody was very kind inside and outside the school. I'm glad that I could go there with my class/schoolmates. I think I could get used to live in a big city in the USA. Although I think I had the less chance to experience the American lifestyle because I stayed with a Bulgarian family, I'm not sorry because they were very, very kind. I hope I'll meet them again sometimes. This was a trip which I'll never forget. I wish I could go back there again."
 
Norbert: "Well, my opinion about America changed only in a good way. I didn't think any bad about the USA, but I wasn't sure, if it's a friendly, safe place to live in, but this short time that I spent there confirmed to me that it has really friendly, ordinary people. I always wanted to visit the USA, and I was really happy that I could do this with my school mates, so I was really enthusiastic about it. I liked Chicago so much, and the nearby areas as well. It was a huge experience for me that I'll never forget.  So I'm so glad that I could get there, and meet the family who were my hosts. They are very kind and nice people. I hope I'll get there sometime again."

Vera: "Our trip's aim was the math learning. Every morning we were at school with our partners. The American education system is completely different than ours. We saw amazing things not only in the school but everywhere. One of the most interesting things to me was the architecture. The skyscrapers, the Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain…The American people are very good at making amusing programs. We saw a dolphin show, a baseball match and theatrical performances. The host families were very kind and helpful. This was an unforgettable experience and I can't wait to meet with them again!"