About Central European University
Central European University (CEU) came into being along with the sweeping social, political, and economic changes of the early 1990s in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union (CEE/fSU). The university was established by a group of visionary intellectuals (many of them prominent members of anti-totalitarian, democratic oppositions) led by the philanthropist George Soros. CEU was to be an unusual graduate school for this region--an independent, international institution in the social sciences and humanities, committed to promoting a new model of learning. Teaching and learning at CEU would embody serious and morally responsible intellectual engagement inspired by, and in the service of, pressing and challenging social needs.

Today, CEU is an internationally recognized institution of higher education, serving as an advanced center of research and policy analysis and facilitating academic dialogue while preparing its graduates as the next generation of leaders and scholars. CEU seeks to contribute to the development of open societies in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union by promoting a system of education in which ideas are creatively, critically, and comparatively examined. Also, in response to the spreading democratization beyond Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, the University has extended its outreach and financial aid program to other parts of the world experiencing emerging democracies.

CEU is organized as a US-style institution, governed by a Board of Trustees, with an absolute charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, for and on behalf of the New York State Education Department. In the United States, CEU is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In Hungary, CEU is officially recognized as a non-state-maintained and operated university. The institution and its programs are accredited by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. CEU's teaching site is in Budapest, Hungary. The language of instruction and communication is English.

About Budapest
Home to 1.9 million people, Budapest is the vibrant center of Hungary. The capital city combines the elegance of nineteenth century Habsburg-era buildings with its own blend of Art Nouveau architecture and the understated appeal of the Bauhaus style. Alongside this stately Central European feel is a thriving youth and underground culture. This juxtaposition enables Budapest to satisfy all types of residents--from the quiet conservative to the dedicated explorer.

There are no limits to what you can discover while in Budapest. A night out could lead from a dark and mysterious basement pub to an elegant exhibition opening, an outdoor dance bar along the Danube, or one of the myriad of private events and house parties that are sure to be thrown on any given evening. For those preferring a slower pace, Budapest offers numerous leafy squares and parks, relaxing thermal baths, grand museums, shopping centers with international food courts, and a number of movie theaters.

Music lovers will be awed by the city's offerings. The State Opera House and the Ferenc Liszt Music Academy produce world-class operas and concerts, while top rock, pop, jazz and DJ acts make Budapest a frequent stop on their tours. Theater is available at a variety of small venues around the city, offering both contemporary and classical repertoires in several languages. Movie buffs have access to everything from local art-house productions to the latest Hollywood blockbusters. If you appreciate the arts, you will take pleasure in visiting the Museum of Fine Arts and the Exhibition Hall facing it, the National Museum, and the Museum of Applied Arts. There is also a quickly growing small gallery art scene, popular with both locals and visitors. Sporting enthusiasts will find numerous opportunities to watch or engage in European football, basketball, and other competitive athletics. Budapest and its environs also offer many pleasant areas for cycling, running, rollerblading, or hiking. 

 

To help you keep track of everything on tap, several English-language publications advertise a variety of cultural and entertainment events, both in Budapest and around the country.

Hungary has borders with seven countries: to the west with Austria and Slovenia, to the north with Slovakia, to the north-east with Ukraine, to the east with Romania and to the south with Serbia and Croatia. All Central European capital cities are within easy reach by train or bus for a day's trip or weekend explorations.