Student Life in Pécs

The official language in Hungary is Hungarian. Sometimes you might also hear Croatian, as Pécs is very close to the Croatian border. Due to the migrations of the Danube Swabian, some people also speak German. Basic knowledge of Italian is relatively common. The psychology studies are offered in English, so the university staff and students speak English very well. For Hungarians, English is compulsory at school and at university, so you can get along with English during your entire stay.

Pécs is an important trade center. However, the city has only a few flight connections. Therefore, it is much easier to travel to the airport in Budapest. From Budapest’s international airport you can easily fly to many international destinations. Thanks to their mentor program, a member of the regional ESN section can then pick you up from the train station in Pécs. They speak foreign languages and they will drop you off at your accommodation.

You will need to rent a private apartment when you study in Pécs. International students can access an integral service with databases about possible apartments or flats in Pécs. With this service, students can find appropriate accommodation. The Central Office of Student Services maintains a large database of available accommodations for rent. You can also try to find accommodation through StudentHousing Pécs. This service is free of charge and helps students to find accommodation at a reasonable price, not only in Pécs, but also in Budapest or Debrecen. Their offer is updated every day. You can find very beautiful flats there for 165-215 $ a month.

At the University of Pécs there are plenty of possibilities to relax and do sports. The University of Pécs offers different sports programs, which you can attend by registering before the semester begins. They are compulsory for Hungarian students, so regular participation is expected. You may also join the Athletics Club, where 12 different competition sports are practised (for example, aerobics, table tennis, basketball, etc.). Apart from these courses, you may use the sports facilities that the university has on offer:

• swimming pool
• sports hall
• gym
• sports field
• running track
• tennis court
• outdoor swimming pool
• handball court

In the city center of Pécs, many artistic historical monuments from the Roman times, early Christianity and the Turkish rule have remained. The city is particularly famous thanks to it ceramic artist Vilmos Zsolnay, whose porcelains are renowned worldwide. The porcelain factory is still in use today in the Zsolnay cultural quarter, where there are many cafés and restaurants apart from numerous exhibitions, the Zsolnay-Mausoleum and a planetarium. Some monuments and mosques still remain from the times of the Turkish occupation. Pécs is the Hungarian city with the most Turkish monuments.

Pécs lives up to its title of European City of Culture 2010. Many exhibitions and festivals give the town a Mediterranean atmosphere. Apart from the national meeting of the theater ensemble, there are the “Weeks of Art and Gastronomy”, the international music festival and the “Days of Pécs”. There are countless entertainment possibilities – not only for culture lovers; there are also green areas to relax. In the Mecsek mountain range there are good trekking routes for nature lovers.

• Aquarium
• Zsolnay Fountain
• Almond fields
• Zoo
• Theme park
• Bishop’s palace
• Cathedral
• Barbican
• Evangelical Church
• Synagogue
• Mecsek Gate