BudapestStudent.com - About Me
Quick facts about me
+ Born October 25th 1979
+ BA Economics, Math 1998-2003
+ MD Semmelweis, 2003-present
+ Founded BudapestStudent.com in February 2005
+ Former Chairman of ISAS (2006-2007)
Contact info
Sending me an email or sms is the quickest way to reach me:
Phone: +36 30 341 8989
Email: doctor(a)budapeststudent.com
First...about this website
I started this website in February 2005. The current layout was introduced in the spring of 2007.
When I came to Budapest and started my medical studies - in the fall of 2003 - I felt that information was too random, things were unpredictable and going from the extremely structured life in the US things seemed chaotic.
My fellow students and I ended up asking all kinds of people about how to study, where to go to fix various things and trying to make life in Budapest easier. I decided to make a website to
1) help spread notes and handouts from class to all my fellow students (not just those with connections)
2) give prospective students an overview of the curriculum and life as a medical student in Budapest
3) help students that feel lost in a big, but amazing city - both academically and otherwise
Since I began this project in 2005 I've received numerous emails and friendly comments from people. This gives me the motivation to continue working on this website - soon to be four years running.
And now...about me:
Oystein Hovi Rognerud
I grew up in a small town in Norway called Elverum. Actually I grew up 7km East of Elverum, in a tiny place called Hernes. Less than a thousand people live there and my elementary class had 12 students, including myself. It was great! We did stuff people picture Norwegian kids doing: sometimes skied to school and held class in the forrest. I then went on to attend Elverum High School, one of the ten largest high schools (1150 students) in Norway. I was student body president and senior class president (russepresident).
1998-2003
In May 1998, few weeks before I graduated from high school, I received an academic scholarship to Brigham Young University, USA. There I focused my studies on Economics, Math, and Statistics, but I also had upper-level studies in German and Philosophy.
After my second year I began as a teaching assistant for Dr Skarda in Math 112 and Math 113 (Calculus I and II). I applied to become a teaching assistant for Economics 110 - Introduction to Economics (first year Economics), but to my surprise I was offered an upper-level teaching assistantship for Economics 378 - Mathematical and Statistical Economics - by Dr Cardon. He is a remarkable teacher and person. He was the first one to truly appreciate my knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to make students interested in the fields of Economics and Math. The Economics Department faculty is amazing, and my time there has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life.
After being a teaching assistant for Dr Cardon, I went on to become a teaching assistant for Dr Mackay in Economics 382 - Intermediate Price Theory II (microeconomic theory). Dr Mackay and Dr Cardon are much alike in their ability to make students want to learn the material, and their knowledge of the material and love for their profession knows no boundries. Nothing is messed up and every professor loves to teach, and they would like nothing else than see their students blossom and gain as strong an interest for their field as they have.
My last year at BYU was one of the most hectic years of my life. I was President of the Economics Club, Chairman of ANSA USA, teaching assistant for Dr Mackay, taking classes for both a Ph.D. in Economics and preparatory classes for my newfound desire: Becoming a physician.
Becoming a physician in the US was out of the question, mostly for financial reasons, but also because I longed to live in Europe.
I speak German, but have yet to travel to Germany - seriously.
Actually, this changed as of September 2007, when I went to Munich for the annual Oktoberfest. It was great - and I got to practice my German:-)
2003-present
I actually decided to become a physician during my last year at BYU.
There were two things I wanted: A European medical school, and a program in English (I initially wanted to return to the US, but I have later changed my mind).
I decided to come to Semmelweis Medical University.
I spend much of my free-time in helping other students - not only through these websites, but I also enjoy teaching pre-clinical courses to first and second year students. My favorite classes during the first two years were Physics, Chemistry, Neuroanatomy, and especially Biochemistry. My strongest desire is to make a difference.
I have taught students for thousands of hours the last seven years. I strongly encourage other students to do the same.
I also play the guitar, love to play around with my Nikon, and spend time with friends and family. I am starting my fifth year at Semmelweis Medical University and my field of interest is Pediatrics/Neonatology. I intent to return to Norway for my post-graduate studies (specialization).
My time at Semmelweis University
As I mentioned, I came to Budapest in the August of 2003.
The first two years here were tough. I had a hard time adapting and the transition from my life in the US was very big.
I left a very promising career behind to pursue a dream of becoming a physician, but I really felt unwanted in Budapest. People were very unfriendly and the teaching style was the complete opposite of what I was used to. There was no guidance and I felt more like a liability and a burden than an asset. At Brigham Young University I was somebody and I was greatly appreciated by the professors, but here I felt like I was intruding because I had money and was on the English Program, not the Hungarian Program.
This has changed, though. After the second year it was like a vail was lifted and suddenly the professors started pointing out the things we knew and encouraging us, instead of insulting us for the things we didn't know. There were still some professors that were outright rude, but they were now in a very small minority.
As I am writing this I'm in the fifth year.
Many of my practice teachers this year are great. I have an inspiring pediatrics teacher and Professor Kamondi in Neurology is amazing.
It goes to show that a teacher really can make a difference.