8 Things I Never Expected to Do Abroad
SA: AIT Budapest
Arnav, one of the Semester Abroad Correspondents, shares his experience abroad during the Spring 2025 semester. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed.
When I left for study abroad, I had a general idea of what to expect—classes, travel, making friends—but I didn’t anticipate many experiences while traveling or at school abroad. From unexpected friendships to surprise personal bests and chaotic encounters, here are ten things I never thought I’d experience during my semester abroad in Budapest, Hungary:
1. Keep in touch with a friend through email
It all started when I forwarded my friend Mariam (at Penn) an email from Penn CIS. She didn’t just respond to the email, she added this: “I think email is so cute, can we communicate via email daily? Give each other life updates? I’ll start. I am currently at the library with 3 minutes left on my shift…” and the email continued from there.
Since that message, our emails have only gotten longer. Right now, our chain is 90 messages deep! I’m surprised Gmail hasn’t flagged us for using too much space.
At the beginning of study abroad, I had tried to journal daily on my Notes app, but I got too busy and didn’t have the time each night. This email chain essentially became my journal without me realizing it, and I’ve found that I really enjoy it. It’s been nice to send 1–2 emails a week, reflecting on whatever I’ve been up to—whether it’s time spent in class, wandering around Budapest, or returning from a weekend trip.
Whenever I feel like I need someone to talk to, I’ll jot some things down in the draft for the week. Over the semester, Mariam and I have kept in touch really well. She tells me about her life at Penn, including what topics she’s discussing and reading about in her Existential Despair class: ranging from marriage and religion to love and death. She also asks questions, shares her perspectives, and even sometimes includes her weekly discussion posts for me to read and comment on.
We also have a running bucket list of things we want to do together next year before we graduate, and it’s made me really look forward to senior year. Some activities include going to Wissahickon Park for a hike, trying out for Masti with our friends, and learning how to do graffiti. We’ve been sharing pictures from our travels, journal entries and designs from class, and memes too—it’s been such a meaningful way to stay connected and document my Abroad experience.
2. Get a PR for the half marathon
I wasn’t expecting to get a PR in Budapest because I hadn’t trained at all during the semester. Aside from a 6-mile run three days before the race, my most recent run had been that November 2024 half marathon! But I’m pretty sure that all the hiking across the Balkans and skiing this semester helped keep up my stamina.
I’m so glad I bought my ticket for the Budapest Half Marathon back in November, two months before going abroad—there’s no way I would’ve bought my ticket after no training abroad! I had run my first half marathon in November 2024 (right before buying the Budapest ticket), which was such a great experience and made me want to keep running.
The race itself was so fun—it was the first sunny day in a while, and the whole city of Budapest seemed to be outside cheering. Fans came from all over the world with supportive (and hilarious) signs, and the energy was amazing. A few people from my study abroad program at AIT ran it too, and some friends from Penn who were visiting also ran. My friend even made a sign for me, and after we all finished, we took photos and grabbed brunch together.
It was such a fun day—and I didn’t expect to beat my last time by over 6 minutes!
3. Meet the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube
The inventor of the Rubik’s Cube, Ernő Rubik, helped create the Design Workshop class at AIT and visits every semester.
One Wednesday morning, we heard he’d be at school. My classes ended early that day, but I stayed late just to meet him. He walked around while we showed him our 3D modeling CAD projects. I got to talk to him, ask questions about his life after inventing the cube, and take a picture.
It was amazing to have a one-on-one conversation with such a well-known inventor from Hungary. (See a photo I took of Rubik with my roommate on the right!)
4. Ski down black diamond slopes in Austria after needing surgery during my last ski attempt
The last time I went skiing was during senior year of high school at Blue Mountain in the Poconos. My ski hit some ice, flung me forward, and I landed hard on my elbow. A piece of bone broke off and I needed surgery, followed by a full year of physical therapy to get close to a full recovery.
I was scared to ski again—and too busy for the past few years—so I hadn’t tried until this semester. Finally, I felt ready to experience the thrill again. I went to Sölden, Austria, with friends from Penn and AIT, most of whom were way better than me.
I was nervous the first day and kept thinking about my injury, but once I got the hang of it again, it felt amazing. The slopes were stunning: real powder snow, massive runs, long gondolas, fun-slopes, and truly breathtaking views of the Austrian alps. Compared to the Poconos, it was on a different level.
I was so happy to ski again and can’t wait to again in the USA with my new friends!
5. Hang clothes on my chandelier to dry
I didn’t know Hungarians generally don’t use dryers. My room is pretty small and I have a tiny drying rack, so I’ve resorted to hanging my clothes from hangers on my chandelier and anywhere else I can find space—especially after weekend trips when I need to do laundry.
6. Take one of my favorite CIS classes so far!
I’m studying at the Aquincum Institute of Technology (AIT) in Budapest, a computer science school made for study-abroad students from North America (though about 10 Hungarian students also attend). With just 60 students total, my Algorithms (CIS 3200) class only has 10 people in it!
Back at Penn, my core CIS classes usually have over 200 students. While big classes do offer helpful office hours and recitations, I didn’t realize how valuable it would be to have such a small CIS class with direct access to the professor.
I’ve been attending every class, asking questions, going to one-on-one office hours, and spending more time thinking through homework than I usually can. My courseload this semester is lighter than usual, which helps. But more than anything, I’ve really enjoyed my professor’s energy and the ability to take my time and actually enjoy learning the material. I didn’t expect to love this class as much as I do!
7. Observe a protest
Recently, Budapest has seen major protests after the Hungarian government passed a law banning LGBTQ+ Pride events. Passed in March 2025, the law prohibits any public events that “depict homosexuality” to people under 18 and allows facial recognition tech to track attendees, with €500 fines for violations.
People are comparing it to similar laws in Russia. Protests have included occupying major bridges (like Liberty and Erzsébet), waving rainbow and Ukrainian flags, and staging a satirical “Gray Pride” where thousands dressed in muted tones.
Some opposition lawmakers were even banned from parliament after protesting during a session. Despite everything, Budapest Pride organizers are still planning to march in June for the 30th anniversary.
The protest I observed was legal—it happened on a Tuesday (they’ve been recurring weekly), near the bridges. I was biking back from school, saw the crowd, and stopped to observe. It was nice to see the local community’s efforts and learn about LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary.
8. Take more buses than flights
One of the best discoveries of living in Central Europe: you can take buses almost anywhere for cheap. It’s great for last-minute trips, and the proximity of countries makes it so easy.
I’ve taken night buses to Krakow and Prague (though I don’t recommend those unless they’re long enough to sleep—I was shaving and waking myself up for hours in the Krakow bus station).
But buses have been cheaper and easier than flights in most cases. I’ve done weekend trips by bus to Bratislava, Prague, Vienna, Lund (from Copenhagen), Zagreb, Ljubljana, Amsterdam (from Brussels), Lake Balaton, and Krakow. Plus, I get schoolwork done on them!
Looking back, this semester abroad has been full of surprises—some small, some wild, and some that I know I’ll remember for a long time. I didn’t plan on emailing my friend like it was 2003, or arguing with a Slovenian man about car scratches, or pushing myself up a snow-covered mountain with questionable gear. But those unexpected moments are what made the experience feel real, and in a way, exciting.
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