A few months ago, I decided to embark on a week-long trip to Budapest, Hungary. Myself and nine other Ball State students are taking an immersive learning course, which means we’re getting college credit, as well as traveling to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

 

Many people study abroad in typical cities like London, Paris and even Sydney. This brings me to the question we all keep hearing from our friends, family, colleagues and professors: Why Budapest?

 

Throughout the duration of the trip, we would get this question from new friends, including Hungarian locals and Ball State alumni. Most of the time, we would joke and say it was because of a sleek, eye-catching, student-made flier for the trip that hung on the professor’s office door.

 

In reality, while the flier did catch my eye, I really wanted to experience something different, worthwhile and unforgettable in a beautiful place. Something kept pulling me to this city, which now holds a special place in my heart.

 

After being immersed in the culture for seven days, it’s safe to say Budapest is one of the most underrated and overlooked cities in Europe. Not only does it have history, beautiful architecture, top-of-the-line ruin pubs and cafés for miles, it has a life-enriching vibe that is ignored by bigger, more tourist-driven destinations.

 

After contacting multiple travel magazines, there can

only be one conclusion: Budapest, Hungary, is just not

seen as a travel destination.

 

Mark Kincses, senior project manager at Hungary’s

tourism office said, We have real people and real

experiences.

 

“Most cities are polished for tourists’ eyes, but not

Budapest.”

 

The city’s realness and communist history contribute

to the fact

that travelers might be intimidated.

 

Heather Wyatt a National Geographic Traveler publicist, said travel

magazines are more about aspirational traveling, as opposed to

authenticity and culture.

 

“It’s more of a status thing. These readers want to see Paris and London and typical travel destinations,” Wyatt said. “They’re also usually about living a certain lifestyle and shopping, so they’re going to hit Italy and other big cities.”

 

Jen Murphy, AFAR Magazine editor, adds Paris, Italy and London will perpetually be the darlings of the United States travel media simply because they are destinations Americans are familiar with. "She said travelers see them as dreamy, bucket list getaways.“

 

Hungary is much more esoteric,” Murphy said. “If you say Rome or London, most Americans can instantly conjure an image to associate with the destination, whether that is Big Ben or a bowl of pasta. When you say Budapest, most people go blank.”

 

Budapest isn’t just about taking pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. For me, it was about the charm and excitement this city so clearly has. I can confirm what Kincses says. It does have real people and real experiences.

 

A HuffPost Travel article, “Overlooked European Cities You Must

Visit In Your Lifetime,” posted on March 18, 2014, deemed Budapest as one of the “most overlooked European cities you must visit in your lifetime.”

 

The article went on to say Budapest is gaining traction as a new favorite destination for travelers.

 

“It's often considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with its distinctive architecture and romantic setting on the Danube River,” the HuffPost Travel article said. “Sample Hungarian cuisine, soak in the hot springs and explore the city's complex history.”

 

Go to Paris and London, but give Budapest a try. It is too rich of a city to be overlooked. Its new slogan, “Think Hungary - More Than Expected,” is true in every sense of the words. Try watching this without wanting to travel.