Teaching English in Hungary: Explore the Heart of Europe

By Jacob Hidas

Panoramic view of Budapest, Hungary.

It is May, and I am within days of graduating from San Francisco State University. I have an excellent GPA and some work to include in my portfolio, and I am about to plunge into the real world. And then it hit me: I am not ready. With the worries of the job market, being able to get a well-paying job, and jumpstarting my career all on my mind, I decide to risk it all and go in an entirely different direction: teach English in Europe.

Picking a location: Europe versus Asia

My travel experience was limited before coming to Hungary. I had to make a serious choice: teach English for peanuts in Europe or find a job somewhere in Asia that would put some cash in my pocket. I chose Europe. I understood that my income would be a little. Yet, it has been more than sufficient to enjoy traveling around the continent (more on that later). If I had to do it repeatedly, I would still choose Europe. I am half Hungarian, which is a driving factor in selecting the country. That said, there are plenty of options throughout Eastern Europe if another country interests you more.

But I Am Not a Teacher! How Can I Teach English in Hungary?

While Hungary is part of the EU, it is not as restricted as other EU countries, such as those in Western Europe that strictly limit work to EU citizens only. That means we Americans (Canadians, Australians, or any other English-speaking country) can get a job here much faster than in Italy or France. There are options online to obtain a Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESOL/TEFL) certificate. Yet, since I had no experience teaching, I decided to attend an intensive program in my area. Although far more expensive than the online route, I benefitted more from having the opportunity to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) students first-hand, rather than show up for the job and not know what I am doing.  Other requirements for Hungary include having at least a college degree.

Finding a Teaching Position

Many websites are claiming to be looking to hire qualified TESOL teachers for their schools, but how do you know whom to trust? I did not, and I decided to go through a program. Although there is a steep fee to sign up, the Central European Teaching Program set everything up. Fill out the paperwork and submit the proper documents; they will help place you at a school. The fee basically covered what I did not pay all year. What I mean by that is I did not have to pay for my apartment or any utilities (except Internet), and there is a special agreement such that for the first two years of teaching, you do not have to pay any taxes other than for health. (Did I mention that they have universal health coverage in Hungary?).  I know that not everyone can afford the cost of this program, and it may seem like the easy way to get started, but what is wrong with that? (Note: I do not work for CETP, and I struggled for a long time with signing up for the program. However, I am glad I did, and I do not think I would have had as much luck finding a school on my own).

First-grade field trip to Holloko, Hungary. Photos by Jacob Hidas.	CETP Teacher's trip to Transylvania (Romania).

Preparing to Leave: Do Not Worry, You Are Not Going Back in Time

Everything I have seen in movies skewed my views of Hungary (and Eastern Europe). Shame on me. I half expected horse-drawn carriages and a simple way of life, with few luxuries available back home. Pack well whether you come for half a year or an entire year. My biggest concern was that I did not know what to pack. Leave some of those necessities back home unless you have a particular brand of shampoo you use. There are malls, shopping centers, and other specialty stores where you can get everything you need. Mostly, prices are comparable to those in the U.S., but sometimes cheaper based on the cost of living in Hungary. Refrain from skimping on warm clothes, too! Coming from California, snow in Budapest was a new experience, and I invested in a warm hat and some gloves. My other suggestion is to bring special food items you will likely not get here. My vice is peanut butter, and I made sure to stock up before I left (you can buy it here, but it is not cheap!). .

Irány Magyarország! Ez a nyelv nagyon nehéz! (Welcome to Hungary! This Language is Hard!)

Hungary is a welcoming country where people are just as excited to have you teach English as you are excited to be in your new home. That said, some things may seem scarier than they genuinely are. For example, the Hungarian language was almost foreign to me, except for the few words my Grandma taught me before I left. So, if you have never seen the Hungarian language, you are in for a treat. Stepping off the airplane was overwhelming, and trying to read the billboards on the way downtown was migraine-inducing. No need to worry, though, because it is not as bad as it looks, and once you know some essential words, you will be shopping with the locals at the Grand Market Hall in no time.

After you learn the apparently daunting language, I advise you to go with the flow. There have been times when frustration could easily get the best of me, but keep in mind that Hungary is definitely not as organized as the U.S. This becomes a problem in the place where you work. Often, you will not be informed or reminded of certain events (like wearing black and white on a national holiday), but do not fret; it is not the end of the world. Everyone knows you are a guest unfamiliar with the country’s customs and culture; do not worry too much about making a mistake. Just accept that things happen, and be prepared to ride the wave.

But Wait! I Am Not a Teacher! I Studied (insert major here). What am I doing?

Feel free to jump right in. You have come from your home to teach students what you know best: English. Most schools will help with providing a curriculum and some textbooks. However, depending on your school and its financial stability, that may not always be the case. Teaching 1st and 2nd grade was frightening for me. How could I teach these kids English when they do not know what I am saying? After a couple weeks, it will all click, and you will be comfortable teaching your students and learning what works and what does not. And there are opportunities to teach at all levels, from primary to high school.

East(ern Europe)! Taking Advantage of Your Location

Many dream about spending days in Tuscany or wine tasting in France. But what about rowing across Lake Bled? Or a river cruise down the Danube? Ever consider wine tasting in Eger or Tokaj? While some of these places may be unfamiliar, you will want to travel every weekend once you get to Hungary. One of the most remarkable aspects of living in Hungary is there are so many countries within hours by train or bus (some even serve hot beverages for free). I never thought I would visit Poland, the Czech Republic, Bosnia, Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

How Can I Afford All My Traveling Plans?

Traveling to all these places sounds great, but how can you afford it? Coming to Hungary is a choice, knowing you will not leave with a padded bank account. On the contrary, on average, you will make approximately $700 a month, depending on the current exchange rate. While that seems like little, it is definitely enough to travel and eat out at restaurants. As I mentioned, I  did not have any rent or utility bills to worry about because I paid to work with the program, so the money I made was put towards having fun and exploring the region.

Now, if you do not work through the program, you can still live decently here. Rent is very affordable, even in Budapest, and plenty of options exist. There are several language schools around the area, and they could always use a native speaker. Also, you will likely be asked about giving private lessons. I have been asked often, even in public, because so many people want to learn English. The money earned from these lessons is a great way to help pay for that weekend in Prague.

The Hungarian Forint: Not as Confusing as it Appears

Speaking of money, even though Hungary is part of the EU, they are not using Euros as their currency. Instead, they use the Forint, also referred to as "HUF." I will admit that you seem to be spending monopoly money, but I just realized there are a couple more zeros to work with. Since I have been in Hungary, the Forint has floated approximately 350 to US$1, so 1,750 Forint would be US$5. It has worked for me to keep track of how much I spend, even though it is not exact. For reference, Numbeo will provide you with good crowdsourced data on the cost of living in Hungary.

Exploring Hungary

While there is plenty to see in surrounding countries, do not forget that you are in a unique country with a rich history. There is so much going on in Budapest that you will never get bored, and you will probably find a festival happening in some part of the country every weekend. Hungary is home to a rich culture, from bathhouses to pubs to beautiful green parks. I have made it a point to explore a new location every weekend, whether a museum or another city. Recently, I discovered a WWII Hospital Bunker built underneath the Castle in Budapest. I could not believe how modern it was (for its time, that is). Just be careful, or you might end up in a position like mine: you are having a good time teaching and living here that you do not want to leave.

Jacob Hidas started teaching English as a second language at a primary school in Budapest, Hungary. Jacob had such a great time during the first year that he decided to stay for a second year. Before teaching in Budapest, he double majored in Technical and Professional Writing and Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts at San Francisco State University.