WHAT MAKES AIT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PROGRAMS?
At AIT, computer science and software engineering majors learn from renowned professors, in a country that has a reputation for educating renowned scientists and inventors. Students have a wide range of courses from which to choose, including courses on creative design and entrepreneurship, foundational courses in computer science, advanced applications such as computational biology and computer vision for digital film post-production, and humanities courses related to Hungary’s rich cultural heritage. 

WHAT IS AIT CAMPUS LIKE?
AIT campus is located in Aquincum, the old Roman town of Budapest, on the banks of a beautiful branch of the Danube River. AIT’s building is located in a state-of-the-art business park whose tenants include many IT and R&D companies, such as Microsoft, SAP, Servier, Canon, Sybase, and Graphisoft. In the park, you will find two cafeterias that are perfect for lunch. In addition, the AIT building has a big kitchen, club room, computer lab, and Wi-Fi. 

HOW BIG IS AIT? WILL I GET SPECIAL ATTENTION?
AIT is a small and friendly program. We enroll only 30-50 students a semester from North America and Hungary, and classes are small (5-15 students is typical). Our faculty members often develop close mentoring relationships with their classes, and the AIT staff is always present and available for assistance, so you will receive lots of personal attention. 

WHERE WILL I LIVE?
AIT will help you find reasonable, pre-arranged accommodations for your stay in Budapest. Usually, two or three students share an apartment in downtown Budapest, and near excellent transportation and great cultural offerings. To help us find suitable roommates for you, you will be asked to fill out an electronic Room Match Form before you arrive in Budapest. 

DO I NEED TO SPEAK HUNGARIAN TO STUDY AT AIT?
No. All courses are taught in English by internationally acclaimed Hungarian scholars with guest lectures by leading entrepreneurs and researchers who all speak English. An optional two-week long intensive course in Hungarian language is available before the start of each semester, and you can also take a basic Hungarian language course for credit while at AIT. 

WILL I TAKE CLASSES WITH HUNGARIAN STUDENTS?
Yes. About 20% of the AIT students will be Hungarians from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. They will introduce you to the Hungarian lifestyle, and help you see the best of what Budapest has to offer. 

WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE WHILE I'M IN BUDAPEST?
AIT will organize many afternoon and weekend extracurricular activities for you and your classmates. Some of these activities (like Orientation Day and the Budapest City Rally) are offered as a courtesy of AIT, while others (like cultural and sport programs, and excursions within Hungary or other Central-European countries) will be provided for additional fees. You will also have several opportunities to arrange your own trips to surrounding cities and countries on the weekends and during breaks. 

WHO ISSUES CREDIT FOR COURSES TAKEN AT AIT?
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) will provide credit transfer on behalf of AIT. Academic courses will meet twice a week, for two hours per occasion. Our 14-week courses therefore typically correspond to 4 credits at most North American colleges and universities.  

WILL MY SCHOOL AUTOMATICALLY ACCEPT THE AIT CREDIT TRANSCRIPT ISSUED BY BME?
Some schools have already pre-approved AIT's curriculum for easy credit transfer.  You should check with your academic advisor and/or your study abroad office to find out what's involved in transferring credits from AIT to your home school.  Please contact us at info [at] ait-budapest [dot] com if you have any questions or concerns. 

HOW MANY CREDITS ARE INCLUDED IN THE TUITION?
Students are expected to select academic courses with an average load of 20-22 contact hours a week. While there are no charges for taking heavier loads, loads exceeding 26 contact hours a week are subject to approval. 

HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAM COST?
Tuition is $13,000 per semester (US Currency), which covers participation in AIT courses with individual mentoring by the faculty, and personal attention by the AIT staff (such as airport pick-up, orientation, housing assistance, etc). Students are expected to select academic courses with an average load of 20-22 contact hours a week. While there is no charge for taking heavier loads, loads exceeding 26 contact hours a week are subject to approval.

For more details and estimated student direct costs for a semester in Budapest please see this link:
http://www.ait-budapest.com/tuition-and-other-costs

DOES AIT OFFER FINANCIAL AID?
AIT does not provide financial aid, but your school might be able to contribute to your expenses. Make sure to speak with your school’s study abroad director and/or financial aid office. 

WILL I NEED A VISA TO STUDY AT AIT?
In order to enter Hungary, you will need a valid passport. According to recent changes (August 2010) in the Hungarian Republic’s visa regulation for US citizens it is still possible, but not obligatory, to apply for a long-term/multiple-entry visa. Although, if you are staying in Hungary for more than 90 days, you are still required to have a residence permit. So we recommend you leave the US without applying for a visa, and once you’re here in Budapest, we will help you through the process of obtaining a residence permit. The process fees in Hungary will cost US citizens 18,000 HUF ($90). 
If you are a non-North American citizen, please check with your home country consulate and the Hungarian Consulate General's Office about special documentation requirements before departure.
If you need further assistance, you can always contact the AIT Budapest Office.