AFS Exchange to Hungary
Aishwarya Joshi XI CIE, Daly College, Indore
Certain events change the way we perceive others, their culture and their country, allow us to enlighten ourselves for wider cultural acceptability and peace and brotherhood. Such an experience took place in the summer of 2016 when a group of five students from The Daly College (24 from India) went on an AFS intercultural exchange to Hungary, Europe, and I was fortunate to be one of them...
The trip commenced with a fifteen days’ tour of Hungary starting from the grand capital of Budapest (the little Paris of East Europe). The architectural miracles of the 17th century along with the most modern architectural marvels, everything carved to perfection. We also visited Eger, site of the battle of Hungary against the Ottomans. Further, we went to the famed city of Balaton, named after its seemingly endless lake; the Lake Balaton. We also visited the city of Esztergom, the most notable aspect was perhaps the grand Cathedral and the Castle Museum. Besides visiting the historical monuments, we also did adventure sports like the famous obstacle course.
Apart from the country, the companionship we had was also exceptional. We stayed with American, Italian, Belgian, Columbian, Thai, Malaysian, and Hungarian students. Different languages, different etiquettes and different ways of living - to interact, learn and share about cultures, was a unique experience that helped us connect with each other. On the sixteenth day of the trip, after bidding farewell to all those of my delightful companions who made my first 15 days more than just memorable, I reached the northern city of Nyireghaza to meet my lovely host family; thus entering the second phase of the exchange program. Cultural hysteria was the first thing I underwent as we reached their home.
Everything was so different when I reached their home, including an Arctic breed dog and 15 other pets, from cats to chinchillas to hens and rabbits. The unique and exceptional aspect were that all of them were managed by 5 family members! The weather, in addition, made my mode of adaptation a little challenging; temperatures fell to 6 degrees. I underwent a slight cold and a running nose initially. New atmosphere, new lifestyle,new school and minimum contact with India yet the same care and affection. This is when I got to feel the love and affection of my host family; my host mother made me a Hungarian syrup to cope up with cold. This initial phase trained me to adapt and accommodate, and enjoy my stay happily with my host family.
