A gap year in Hungary
Gap years in Hungary
Europe’s most glamorous capital city, medieval-style towns, warming natural springs and breathtaking scenery: Hungary is steeped in wonder. Even if you have to swim up the Danube, it’s worth including this magical place in your Gap Year itinerary. Trust us...
Gap Year Opportunities
Teach English as a foreign language? If you can keep those adjectives in their places, then a decent teaching package awaits. TEFL-qualified teachers can work in private, nursery or government schools, receiving accommodation plus up to £100 per week. Unqualified? Get your TEFL stripes by signing up for an online course, or a residential course in nearby Prague.
| There are currently no vacancies available. |
Getting Around
In Budapest, you’ll find it easy to explore using the Metro, and – out of peak hours – bus and trams. Buy ticket books in blocks – it works out cheaper.
To discover more of the country, buy a train pass or hire a car. Budapest is well-connected with other cities and towns, although you’ll have to watch out for tollgates. The rail system is slick, modern and efficient, with discounts for under-26-year olds. Budapest is connected with Prague, Vienna and Frankfurt by rail, so it’s easy to get around.
About Hungary
Hungary’s economy has seen dramatic ups and downs since the 1980s, as the country made mistakes like accruing large foreign debts and managing its budget poorly. The new government was forced to announce measures to reduce its budget deficit – these include higher taxes and social security payments – which is impacting on the national wage level. The country currently has a GDP per capita of £8,300. Hungarian costs of living are therefore still quite low. You can buy a bottle of beer for 30p and a cinema ticket for £3. But they’re not the only reasons backpackers bee-line for the country.
Why Hungary?
What on earth made you choose Hungary? Here are six great reasons. These will keep the parents quiet – even if you’re only going for the beer.
- Hungarians can tackle a challenge. In fact, they seem to revel in them. This landlocked population rates watersports as one of its top pastimes. They’ve built enough swimming pools and lakes for canoeing and water polo. This aptitude for turning the negative into the positive may also help to explain no2.
- When Budapest was ransacked during the revolution in 1956, thousands upon thousands of Hungarians emigrated to Toronto. They found an unsophisticated city, which they soon gave a Hungarian makeover – complete with theatres, fashion stores, and ‘Schnitzel Row’. It transformed this ‘cold, uncosmopolitan city’ into a richer, culturally wealthier place to be. (It’s true. Important people in Ottowa and Toronto have admitted it.)
- Great ideas come from Hungary. The match; the biro; the slide projector; the lightbulb; the helicopter; and soon, yours (ready to make a million?). “Be thankful,” says Hungarian magazine Danubius. Is it because Hungarians have nothing else to do?
- No. Hungarian writers and musicians are widely accomplished. And they’ve produced plenty of enjoyable music and books, too. One of the twentieth century’s ‘classics’, a trilogy by Miklos Banffy, portrays the history of Hungary between 1906 and 1914. It’s a vividly drawn novel providing insights into peasantry and aristocracy, and has recently been translated into English, where it has had good reviews from the TLS among others. Music? Look up Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies. More modern tastes?
- Budapest, which is actually two cities sitting on the River Danube, is a well-known destination – for sightseers, yes – but also for party goers. Visit one of its many bars to search out music by Hungarian pop bands such as Beatrice and Ganxsta Zolee (hip-hop legend).
- Hungarian is one of THE most difficult languages to learn – if you fancy a challenge, try mastering the grammatical structure. These will help during your first week: “Nem értem!” (I don’t understand!); “Kérek egy jegyet ...re!” (Give me a ticket to ... please!); and “sör” (beer). For more useful questions and chat-up lines, check out the language link in the side bar!