So, first of all, why did you choose BME?
I lived in Budapest for a year during my bachelor's degree. I won a scholarship for a sandwich degree, which meant a two semester-long period of my bachelor's in Hungary. To tell the truth, I did not know much about Hungary before, but when I got to Budapest, I saw that it is a beautiful city, with classical buildings and friendly people. After this year, which is a fond memory for me, I returned to Brazil, but I kept thinking about Budapest.
During my masters in Brazil, I got to know about the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, and that it is available for PhD as well. That time I have already decided to continue my studies in a PhD programme. I started searching for doctoral programmes for mechanical engineering, that is how I have found the BME and especially the Department of MOGI (Mechatronics, Optics and Mechanical Engineering Informatics). I also had a look at the scientific performance of the professors and lecturers here, seeing, that they are highly qualified and are doing serious research, like my supervisor, Balázs Vince Nagy. Besides, I already had some friends who studied here and were satisfied with the education and the research opportunities.
And how do you like studying in Budapest? I'm sure that it must be very different than Brazil…
In Brazil, I live in a city with a population of 250 000. In the Brazilian scale, it is a small town. Although Budapest has seven times more inhabitants, from my experiences, Budapest combines the benefits of small Brazilian cities and a metropolitan lifestyle. Budapest is vibrant but safe, you can find all facilities for everyday life close to you, and you have all the opportunities a metropolis offers – cultural events, clubs, concerts, festivals, with an international atmosphere.
I would highlight that the numerous green areas of Budapest are perfect for relaxing. Several times, when I am trying to find a solution for a complex problem, I visit parks, for example, Margaret Island to sit and relax and that helps me to find a solution. I have multiple favourite spots in Budapest, and most of them are along the Danube's riverside, which is perfect for watching the sunset.
If you want to read more about the experiences of Aline Faria de Lemos, please visit the official blog site of the BME Faculty of Mechanical Engineering here! Please, visit the website of the International Mentor Team of the University to get more information for your stay here in Hungary.