In this blog post, I will interview Becky, who is currently teaching in Manchester, England. I will delve into her time spent abroad in Budapest, Hungary, and her insights into life in this fascinating European city. I met Becky when I was living in Seoul, Korea.
Vicky: Can you tell the readers a bit about yourself?
Becky: I have been teaching for over ten years, with some of that time spent teaching abroad in Budapest, Hungary and Seoul, South Korea. Currently, I’m teaching in the private sector in the UK.
Vicky: How long were you living in Hungary?
Becky: I spent two years in Hungary.
Vicky: How was the move to Hungary?
Becky: I moved to Hungary with my partner, who was also working at the same international school. The school provided some assistance with visits to immigration upon our arrival. School staff were very sociable, including both other expats and local Hungarians, and we regularly socialized with other staff members. Budapest also offers lots of opportunities for meeting people, such as international meetups and pub quizzes, which we sometimes attended and made friends at.
Vicky: What do you consider to be some of the best aspects of living in Hungary?
Becky: There were so many great aspects of living in Hungary, and Budapest in particular. Public transport in Budapest was efficient and well-connected, so we didn’t feel the need to have a car. Crime levels were low, and the city felt safe even at night. Food and nightlife were excellent and very affordable for us. Local people were mostly kind and friendly, and we made some good friends. It was fairly easy to travel to other parts of Hungary and neighbouring countries by train or car, and by plane.
Vicky: What are some of the challenges you encountered?
Becky: Due to the low cost of living in Hungary, the salary wasn’t as high as in the UK or international schools in Asia. This wasn’t a problem for living comfortably in Budapest but did mean that there was less possibility of building up savings. Medical care was also not included in the school package. Most people paid for their own private healthcare because they felt that the state healthcare was underfunded and under-resourced. Private healthcare was an additional cost but not too expensive.
Vicky: Could you tell us about your school in Budapest, including the type of school you worked at and your work hours?
Becky: I worked as a primary school teacher at a British international school that followed the UK curriculum. Staff were expected to be in school from around 8 am to 4:20 pm, but there was no expectation to be in school beyond these times or at weekends, except for occasional special events. The work-life balance was generally good. The school provided a small relocation allowance, but this was not enough to cover shipping, and accommodation costs were not included in your salary.
Vicky: What, in your opinion, is the best thing about working at an international school in Budapest, Hungary?
Becky: Having the opportunity to live in Budapest, getting to know Hungarian culture and local Hungarians, and being close to European countries for travel.
Vicky: Were you able to save money, and did your salary provide you with a good quality of life considering the cost of living in Budapest?
Becky: The salary allowed for a good quality of life in Budapest for a young couple with no family. The salary level meant that it was not possible to save much. You can still have fun and enjoy the city, though.
Vicky: Can you offer a valuable piece of advice for someone contemplating a move to Budapest?
Becky: Make the most of being in a vibrant, exciting city, but don’t party too hard!
Vicky: Overall, did you feel safe in Hungary?
Becky: Yes, we almost always felt safe, even in the city centre in the evening.
Thank you so much, Becky.
