Studying Media Design at MOME was intensive but inspiring. My courses focused on filming music videos, producing spatial sound, and photography, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning. The teaching style was much more contact-based than at my home university in Finland. Most study days ran from 10:00 to 16:30, and on some days I also had evening classes from 18:00 to 20:20. Teamwork played a big role in many courses. For example, in the music video course we first worked as a class on a joint project, producing a music video for a Hungarian band. After that, we created individual music video projects where I was responsible for almost everything myself.
(Music video filming in Budapest)
At the beginning, adapting to new systems and figuring out where to ask for help felt draining, which is quite natural when starting something new. Communication could also be challenging at times, as not everyone spoke fluent English. However, once I found my routines, studying became much smoother. What I appreciated the most was the strong sense of community and how well exchange students were supported. The university provided very clear and simple instructions for registrations and practical matters, which made everyday life easier. One memorable moment from my studies was the final lecture of a light art course, where we visited a technological university and created a holographic plate using a small object we had brought with us.
Outside of university, I really enjoyed life in Budapest. I lived in a shared flat with three other people, which surprised me in a positive way. Even though I value having my own space, it was nice to always have someone to talk to, while still having my own room for quiet time. In my free time, I explored the cultural side of the city by visiting museums and learning more about Hungarian history. I also created a weekly routine where every Sunday I tried a new thermal bath, which quickly became one of my favorite ways to relax. One of my best memories from the exchange was a sunny trip to Lake Balaton with other exchange students, spending the day at the beach.
When comparing studying in Hungary and Finland, I noticed both similarities and differences. People in both countries are quite introverted and respectful of personal space. One clear difference was that in Hungary many courses also take place in the evenings, and each department has its own home base room where students can study and spend time together. School lunches were also noticeably more expensive than in Finland. Another interesting difference was that some lecturers were not traditional teachers but professionals who had worked in their field for most of their lives, which brought valuable real-world insight into the courses.
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