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ESSCA in Budapest, Hungary

École Supérieure
des Sciences Commerciales d'Angers (ESSCA) in Budapest

A great program for students of international business, international studies, or of Central European studies. Courses are taught in English.

Map of Hungary

What is it like there?
Budapest is a beautiful city located on the Danube River in Hungary. It has a population of approximately two million people. Known as the "Paris of Eastern Europe," it combines Western luxury and simple traditions. Budapest presents a unique architectural mixture of ancient Roman, Baroque, Turkish, 19th century and Art Nouveau styles. In recent years, Budapest and Hungary have become synonyms for the rapid and exciting changes that can only be witnessed in the emerging countries of Central Europe. Hungary joined the European Union in 2004.

What will I study?
ESSCA, one of UMSL's partner universities in France, runs an international management seminar in Budapest each fall and spring semester. The program is taught entirely in English, with opportunity to take a Hungarian language course. Both programs place an important emphasis on field work. The multicultural dimension is emphasized by cross-cultural teamwork, whereby local and international students together complete a major group project.

The fall semester program, the Budapest Specialization Semester offers specialist courses in marketing and finance. Designed for students who already have a solid grounding in these subjects, it offers both core and more specialist modules, covering the new phenomena and emerging trends in the two fields. In addition to the specialisation courses a wide selection of elective courses are also available.

During the semester a multicultural dimension is emphasised by the range of courses, and nationalities of both students and professors and the importance placed on cross cultural team work and projects. The Budapest Specialisation Semester are therefore to enable students:

- to have a deep and thorough knowledge of the specialisation
  they opted for, and
- to reinforce cross-cultural skills and understanding

Details (click Programmes in English, Budapest Fall Semester).

The spring semester program, Central and Eastern European Business Semester (CEEBS) gives participants a thorough understanding of: Central and Eastern European economics (Geo-economics including relations between the US and new EU; Environmental challenges; Economy in the CEE markets); business, finance and trade in CEE (Logistics, Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Investments in emerging markets); Management (Cross-Cultural management, HR Management, Business Ethics; and Law (EU Law and International Business Law).
Details (click Programmes in English, Budapest Spring Semester).

What is the language of instruction?
English.

Where will I live?
Students may live in dormitory-style housing or in private apartments. The residence offers double rooms, which are fully furnished (two beds, working desk, and cupboard), a bathroom (bath, washing basin and toilet) and unlimited Internet access for 2 students simultaneously. You also have access to cooking and washing facilities, a gym room, a cafeteria, and school library and computer labs. The residence is approximately 40 minutes away by tram. Rent is 500 euros for a single room, 250 euros for a double. Students may also find apartments in the private sector; this is the individual student's responsibility. Click here for more information about living in Budapest, and then click "download practical information."

When can I go?
Students may attend during the fall or spring. Please note the different programs offered each semester (specialization semester offered in fall, CEEBS offered in spring). ESSCA also runs a summer program on European business and politics in France and Belgium.

What are the eligibility requirements?
Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and be an advanced junior, senior, or graduate student.

How can I learn more?
Visit the Program Details website of ESSCA or stop by the Study Abroad Office in 261 MSC to browse their catalog. You can also make an appointment to discuss this program with a study abroad advisor; call 516-5229.

How much does it cost?
Below are the 2007-2008 estimated costs for one semester (4 months) at ESSCA compared to a semester at UM-St. Louis. When you participate in a UM-St. Louis exchange program, like ESSCA, you continue to pay UMSL tuition and may use your financial aid. In addition, both CIS and external scholarships are available.

 

ESSCA

UM-St. Louis
Educational Fees1 $2,947.20 $2,947.20
Information Technology Fee $146.40 $146.40
Student Facility, Activity, & Health Fee $0.00 $418.68
Housing2 $2,400.00 $2,805.00
Meals3 $1,500.00 $1,698.00
Airfare $1,300.00  
Books $250.00 $400.00
Miscellaneous4 $550.00  
Total Estimated Cost5 $9,093.60 $8,415.28

1 Educational fees are based on 12 credit hours. Non-resident fees may apply.
2 Housing cost based on single room at UMSL, shared apartment in Budapest. Price may fluctuate based on the exchange rate.
3 UMSL cost based on Option 3 Plus Meal Plan.
4 Includes transportation and mandatory international insurance.
5 Please note that expenses are ESTIMATES. Costs vary depending on the exchange rate, the inflation rate, individual spending habits, and amount of extra travel. The cost estimate above does not include personal expenses or independent travel, which vary widely from student to student.

Last modified June 4, 2008