WOW!   It's our last day in Budapest before a 24-hr. journey back to Des Moines, IA.  Our last day included a very interesting visit to the Franz Liszt Academy of Music.  We visited the updated, recently renovated campus which included 28 practice rooms, many ensemble rooms with grand pianos, beautiful student lounge/cafeteria and various administration offices. 
Our first presentation was on the present state of music education in the public schools of Hungary. This was quite informative and offered us a good comparison of what we have here in the USA versus Hungarian schools.
Our second presentation was on the Liszt Academy itself.  They discussed various course options, various degrees, as well as the intense audition/application process to be accepted.  None of the music majors nor the Sletto's would have been accepted due to the high standards set for acceptance into the program!!

The afternoon was free so many students went back to the Buda Castle area to explore more of the museums and sites on that west side of the Danube River.  We meet at 6:30 pm and had our 'last supper' at Haxen Kiraly Etterem ethnic restaurant not far from our beautiful hotel, the Novotel Budapest Centrum.
This was the most luxurious hotel with large rooms, spa in the lowest level, and a huge breakfast buffet in a gorgeous dining hall. 

At the last supper, we shared our favorite sites and stops along the trip. We also toasted the students for their flexibility and ability to become 'a family.' Lastly, we gave our tour guide Szilvia a gift from Drake and thanked her for all her detailed work.  A final toast was shared to the Sletto's.  A surprise birthday cake arrived for Professor Tom Sletto since he would be celebrating his birthday traveling all the next day.

Everyone went back to the hotel to pack for the trip home, after a little more time hanging out in the hotel lobby and a few beverages to celebrate.  A GREAT trip with GREAT students!!