There are several very good reasons why Hungary is well suited to be the source site for such an enterprise.

• Hungarian methodology is highly personal. One must know ones students and how they think. This methodology is by its very nature supplemental and as such can be effectively added to a wide variety of mainstream classroom curricula. Described in essence, the Hungarian method is a training of the mind to think more powerfully about facts learned elsewhere. Those who have been educated in this way even for a short period recognize the intrinsic value of learning how to think deeply about things quantitative. On October 5 and 6 we heard Peter Lax's personal account; he was a brilliant child, but it was his fifteen years in Budapest that he credited. In a very different time and context this too was the story of Theresa Wise. One semester of Budapest mathematics made more than an impression on her; it made a difference to who she is and how she thinks. It's importance to her can be measured by her participation.

• Hungary is not exactly the "west" and is certainly not within the political power structure of western civilization. Tibor Frank made the point that the Magyars where not European by origin and their minority status contributed to their openness in accepting people and ideas from other lands. This notion resonates well with my experience as Director of the Budapest Semesters Program; Hungarian openness is one of the reasons BSM has flourished and other international study abroad programs in mathematics have failed. Hungary is in prime position to attract students and faculty from areas of the world that would be hostile to a program based in the more influential countries of the world.

• Hungary has financial advantages to run such a program. It's known as a hub for mathematical research now and has a long-standing tradition of excellence in mathematics and computer science. It is close to major transportation hubs from which Budapest is easily accessible. It is a modern city, has strong traditions of hospitality and is relatively inexpensive. Moreover, Hungary has exported people at the top of many high profile professions and this expatriot population would be an excellent source for funding special projects.

• The Hungarian model has something else though and for me this is the critical ingredient to potential success. To Hungarians there is only one mathematics. The deep divisions of research mathematician, teacher, administrator, math team coach, student, applied mathematician and so on that is our U.S. experience with mathematics is counter to the Hungarian understanding. Their commitment is to mathematics. This is a cultural rather than mathematical distinction.