HUNGARY
Hungary is a
heart-stealer; it will lure you back again and again to sample its rich wines, lounge in its thermal spas, gaze at its birdlife
and make one more attempt to master its unique language. It has all the luxury of Western Europe with a Magyar twist and at half
the cost.
Its graceful capital Budapest has a lively arts, cafe and music scene, and is host to a range of cultural and sporting festivals. Situated on the famous Danube River which divides the city into Buda and Pest, it's a city known for its many beautiful bridges that brings these two parts together to create one of Europe's most majestic of capitals. In the countryside you'll find rolling green plains, resort-lined lakes, Baroque towns, horse markets and rustic villages.
Schools typically want someone with a TESOL teaching certificate and at least one year's teaching experience. However, there are still a lot of opportunities for native speakers without experience, especially in the newer, lower-paying schools. The vast majority of private language schools are in Budapest (over 200, rumour has it), but the smaller cities and mid-size towns have schools. Pay rates vary considerably - from 2 euros to 8 euros an hour (AU$3.30 - $13.20).
The hourly rate is often quite good by local standards, but hours may vary. Many teachers work for two or more schools and give private lessons in order to collect enough income. A monthly rate of HUF 150,000 (603 euros - approx AU$1000) should be possible by working 20 hours a week, and that's enough to live on comfortably.
Most of the larger schools have web sites through which they can be contacted (for example, www.novoschool.hu, www.katedra.hu, www.cambridge.hu). Don't forget to browse the ESL/EFL website mentioned during the in-class course and listed in your manual. Hiring time is normally in mid-September and again in January and February. Check with your local consulate regarding work visas which apparently are quite easy to get as they want you!
Housing is good in all areas except the poorest towns in the east. Public transport is efficient, medical care of high quality, and food excellent and inexpensive.
This is not a society where everything is punctual and orderly: shops don’t always open on time. Not everyone everywhere speaks English, but you’ll usually find someone who does. Finding a flat in Budapest on a limited income can be a challenge. Be prepared to pay about 280 euros per month (AU$460) for a one-bedroom flat in downtown Budapest, on the outskirts or smaller cities about 200 euros (AU$330). If your school doesn’t offer assistance, it’s usually more efficient to go through a real estate agency than the classifieds.
Hungary, like other Central European countries, is still going through a lot of changes. For information on the job market and the cost of living, don’t trust any resource that’s over a year old. For up-to-date information, try posting your questions on an ESL discussion board.
