Seventh week activities

This week we would like to guide your attention to discuss living arrangements and social scheme of Budapest as the main topic. As you have learned about Maslow's phiramid on the first week, where the second most important level after meeting physical needs, comes social needs. This mean we need to feel a sense of belonging to a community. When moving to another country where neither the language nor the culture resembles to your own, tend to interfere with the level of comfort we are willing to endure for the long run. By now in the seventh week into the first year your mentoree's emotional reserve tank is running low on energy. He/she is experiencing the reality of new routines, being temporally isolated from family and friends.

This is the time when frustrations tend to surface about school related inconveniences, feel the rigidity of local academic/social rules that are different. This general discomfort effects motivation In order to refill the reserve we need to dedicate attention to social integration. (how it is to live comfortably in Budapest, having new friends around etc.)

1.) Make your peer-buddy be aware of potential problems such as being isolatated, loss of motivation/interest in academics, dropping class attendance etc. How such phenomena can be warning signs of burn out or performance fatigue. Bring his/her attention not to be afraid to ask for help.
2.) Housing arrangement - what to be careful when it comes to private lease agreements. See the links inresource library related to living in Budapest

3.) Safety rules of the night life scene of Budapest. 4.) Transportation issues (use of bicycles, cars, parking fees, public transport pass)
5.) Health insurance matters (how to find specialists or general physicians in town)
6.) Food & dining (what shops carry what items, where to find special food stores etc.) you may organize a short shopping trip to a local supermarket.
7.) Local expat organizations (locals, centers etc.) where most likely your peer-buddy can socialize with citizens of his/her own nationality.

Mental framing for mentors - a deeper understanding of seventh week.