Central European Teaching Program in Hungary

I am very glad I found CETP. I have an excellent placement at a high quality secondary school in southern Hungary. I spend only 20 - 30 hours working per week and enjoy living in a very comfortable flat right across the street from the school.

I moved to Hungary with my family (my husband and my 3-year-old daughter), so we have been very grateful for all the support CETP provides. As we prepared to move, the staff were very communicative and connected us with previous teachers who answered all of our questions and provided priceless daily-life details. It was so nice to have friendly faces waiting for us when we arrived at the airport, and we learned so much during the week-long orientation they provided.

The CETP in-country director is just a phone call away and is always happy to help. She has been a valuable resource for me and also for my school, who relies on CETP to help them navigate visa and paperwork issues.

We love Hungary and we love CETP, which is why we're signing up for another year. I encourage people with families to consider CETP, as we have found their placements to have flexibility and accommodations that were difficult to find elsewhere.

I took on this challenge after being burned out by American public schools sooner than I had anticipated. I was interested in Hungary as it had a rich history, interesting culture, and good location within Europe.

Upon arrival, there was a week long orientation that got us situated to the culture, a bit of the language, and the expectations of us within the program. Admittedly, it was fast as we were all embarking to our individual towns at the end of the week, but it was a "dive in head first" kind of thing. I worked hard to soak up as much information I could to prepare myself for my experience.

Once I got to my new town, it was about flexibility, patience and understanding. Everything was new to me overnight, but the system in the country had been operating that way for decades. So, was my arrival the most important thing on everyones mind? No, and that was okay. Life moves a bit slower, and it was good for me to take the challenges as they came, learn from them, blog about them and share them with as many people as possible.

I was placed at a prestigious Gimnazium in my town, and the students were focused and education oriented. My colleagues did their best to get me up to speed as quickly as they could, while juggling their responsibilities in the classroom as well. I learned so much about the Hungarian school system and the importance of education while at this school!

I joined the local church choir and went on trips with them, they became my second family. I took on private students and still receive letters and communication from them three years later.

Sure, I struggled at times- but remaining flexible and patient was the only way to be successful. Things are not always going to go your way, but as a 'foreigner' in a new land, it was my job to accept these challenges and learn to adapt.

Since returning to the United States, I have joined a local group of Hungarians to continue the language I learned while there. I have also returned to Hungary three times to see milestones in my students' schooling, their coming of age ceremony and graduations.

I hope to continue telling others about the wonderful culture, traditions and experiences I took in while in Hungary. In fact, I'm having a Hungarian dinner party next week. Would you like to come?

I love Hungary, and am so grateful that CETP is such an efficient way to get here and explore this beautiful way of life. If you are coming to make money, turn around and go to Korea. But, in spite of the small paycheck, I love it here. Hungary is great for those open to new experiences. I lived here for two years without CETP, and moved back to the States. When I decided to come back, CETP was an obvious choice by how efficiently they placed me, how well they communicated with me, and worked with me.
CETP can only do so much, and ppl are getting on this website and complaining. What do you want from them??? They arrange a flat for you to live in, with utilities paid. That, if you add up the price, would turn out to be SOOO much more than you pay them in program fees. It is a win win. Our Hungarian colleagues are living in flats much tinier, with grandparents and siblings because the salary is so small they can't afford a flat and utilities on their own. Go on, go without CETP and get a teacher's job here on your own , and get your own flat and don't use CETP. After utilities (which can be up to 300$ a month), and monthly rent (around 200-400$ per month), let me know how that 500$ teaching per month salary is working out for you. (and before CETP i lived here and my school paid for the flat and I paid utilities, and I was almost broke, with about 200$ disposable income per month. My CETP friends were traveling and I had to stay home, cause I had no money). And let me know how fun it is to go to immigration and take care of paperwork without an organization backing you.
Now, for those of us who have been blessed to partner with CETP (i went back to America, and came back to Hungary with CETP), we get a, albeit low in US standards salary, but plenty to live on here. You have pretty much no bills, health care is free, and utilites, rent, and maybe your transportation pass are paid for. I think it's a great set up if you want to come to Hungary! You can explore this beautiful city, travel, and make international friends and enjoy doing things with them!
But if you are coming because you want a perfect experience, just according to everything you think is right, then don't come. You have to be flexible, open minded, and open to other cultures, not judging constantly that "this is wrong" or "we do it this way". I feel bad for Americans who come here and have a selfish mindset, demanding their American way. You are in another country, and you adapt to their way of life. If you want to be in America, stay in America. If you want to discover a beautiful, deep, unique culture of beautiful people who will enrich your lives, your world view and touch your heart, then come to Hungary! It's wonderful, beautiful, and the children are absolutely fabulous. They are so precious, and my life has been changed by being here. For people who asked to be placed in Budapest and were told there weren't any options, and then saw others get placed in Budapest, did you ask the directors, or did you just assume they were being deceitful??? I know that schools in Hungary can be last minute and bad communicators (sorry, that is true, get used to it), and after I asked the directors about it, they told me that those openings did not come available until August, after they had placed people in small towns, and turned down applicants, and they were very upset too, but were trying to place people last minute.
CETP works with you, and is always responsive to emails, contact. You can't ask for a better program when going overseas... You always have a director who works tirelessly to make sure everyone is happy, and they are so so so flexible, and always answer the phone no matter what your problem is. To be unhappy with them must mean that you are so rigid that no one can please you. My roommate and I met through CETP, and teach together, and we are so different but both love it here. This is my third year in Hungary and I think I'll be here much longer!

I have just signed up for another year with CETP, having had a very good experience with them. Their process for application made the transition to an overseas position much easier than doing it yourself (which I have done before). The week long orientation in Budapest was very helpful with a very inspiring teacher of Hungarian culture and teaching tips. Then door-to-door transport to the new assignment. They provided a basic telephone (I didn't have to hassle with this), instructions, helpful contact sheets, information cards, a FB page to talk to other teachers and ALWAYS someone available to call if you get confused about something -- 24/7. Plus they also organize cultural and travel events for the teachers. The position they matched me with is perfect for me and my co-workers are so kind and helpful. I don't regret for one minute going overseas with CETP.

I am the teacher who replaced Sandra Jacobs in Oroshaza, Hungary. I had such a wonderful experience in the town, at the school and with the CETP staff that I'm taken by surprise by her review.

I was befriended by the mayor's family while there. They were very kind, helped me get around and, when I first arrived even helped me with buying a bicycle as I couldn't yet speak Hungarian. I also taught their son. I saw absolutely no neo-nazi tendencies with the mayor, his family, or in Oroshaza. In fact, it was one of the most tolerant places I have ever lived.

I had a fully furnished apartment a five minute walk from the school. The teacher assigned to be my contact person (I called her my handler :-) helped me with everything. She went with me to the doctor, to open a bank account, taught me enough Hungarian to be able to fend for myself and basically helped with anything I needed. I became so close to her and one of the other teachers that their families all but took me in.

We had a beautiful facility with modern equipment and up-to-date text books. The language department there worked really well together and were supportive of me and I think I was helpful to them. I was able to do a unit with all of the classes on the Gulf Coast where I come from and we had a week of fun!

I fell in love with the food and the people. So much so that my husband and I are planning to visit as soon as we can!

I had a really wonderful year and 1/2 there (I took over for Sandra mid year) and I can't imagine anyone could be afraid of anything in Oroshaza!

I am a retired US public school teacher and I've been teaching in Hungary for 5 months. Earlier in my teaching career I lived in Colombia, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Germany. I was thrilled to be able to add Hungary to this list.

CETP provides a week long orientation upon arrival to prepare teachers for living and working in Hungary. It is well organized and also gives new arrivals a chance to meet each other and form friendships before dispersing around the country. The classes include methodology, language initiation, and a historical perspective. It was also very helpful to hear from teachers who have been here for several years.

CETP does a good job of warning applicants that they will not be living a US or Western European lifestyle in many ways. I live in Budapest and can get anywhere around the city by tram, bus, or subway. The living conditions, of course, vary from one location to another, but CEPT contracts state that schools must help applicants with arrangements for apartments and that the apartments must have washing machines. That is a huge benefit of securing a position through an organization like CETP. Food costs are reasonable and I love the huge markets with fresh fruits, vegetables, butchers, cheese stalls, etc. For those who prefer supermarket shopping, there are several Hungarian chains as well as other European chains. There are also import stores if you have to have Skippy peanut butter, but be prepared to pay a high price. Clothing is also expensive so I would advise applicants to bring what you want with you as your salary will not cover frequent purchases.

Teaching in Hungary presents challenges. I love my school as a whole, my co teachers, and my kids. I have been welcomed from day one. Retired teachers are not very common, so many teachers asked me why I came. My answers are quite different from the young people, who naturally want a chance to experience Europe. I too, enjoy that but I also wanted to work a bilingual school with a different kind of program from the ones I experienced in Latin America. The most challenging part of the school experience is the last minute nature in which decisions are made. Do not come expecting 5 year plans and ready made schedules. Flexibility is essential. My school has specific books and a set curriculum, but the English director was willing to let me "stray a bit" and teach a literature unit. What we don't have much of is leisure reading books, so when I go home for the summer, I will be bringing some back.

I would highly recommend that people take the plunge and come to Hungary. Your money is well spent with CEPT.

I recently graduated from college and had decided I'd go out on a limb and teach English in a country people don't typically shoot for when teaching ESL. CETP was extremely upfront and honest about the fact that there isn't a ton of money to be made here, but I think there's a lot more to be gained by coming to Hungary than a fat paycheck.

The program directors, Mary and Hajni, have been nothing but kind and supportive throughout the entire process. They answered the endless emails filled with questions, comments, and concerns that I sent, and they often bend over backwards to make sure that we're all fine. Hajni even called regularly for the first few weeks when we were first on our own to make sure that all was well, and each email she sends us always ends with a reminder that she is available to help us 24/7.

Hungary was quite a culture shock for me at first since I'd never previously been to any countries that weren't tropical, but the initial Orientation really helped to put me at ease.

As a whole, I love this place, I love my job, I love my students, and I love my coworkers. I really have to give a lot of credit to Mary and Hajni because the city I was placed in, Orosháza, (which, contrary to a previous post, is not a center for Neo-Nazis--and perhaps I should add that I most definitely do not look European by any stretch of the imagination) could not be more perfect for me. I've formed friendships with people who are similar to me and, at the same time, so different. I went in knowing absolutely nothing about the Hungarian culture/people/language other than what I learned from the crash course at Orientation (from which I retained a shocking amount of useful information), but I'm simply delighted by the entire experience. All in all, I have CETP to thank for that since they work so hard to make the process goes smoothly.

Of course, it's important to understand that it's not for everyone, and there are countless difficulties to face, but I'm fairly certain that's just an unavoidable part of life. That being said, if you are open-minded, if you enjoy a good challenge, or if you are just generally an interesting, ambitious person willing to be influenced by a wonderful and eye-opening experience, then I highly recommend taking the plunge.

I've been a teacher with CETP in Hungary for several years and I love working with the program here.

I originally came to Hungary fresh out of college with only a bit of experience living abroad and even less teaching experience. I looked at other programs (mostly ones in Korea and China where I would be making a LOT more money) but I decided to come here instead. I remember reading on the CETP website something like "if you're looking to make money, don't come here" ... and yeah, they were right. I can't say that I've accumulated any vast savings since I've been here, but the salary is definitely enough to live on, and live pretty well - I mean, eating out a lot, making a weekend trip to neighboring countries every couple months, doing a good bit of travelling around within Hungary, etc.

I know the big fee puts off a lot of people, but I think it's money well spent. CETP takes care of your apartment (except in some cases if you insist on being placed in Budapest) and you also receive a fantastic week of orientation at the beginning. More than that, you have the benefit of 24/7 help from Hajni, the CETP Hungary country director. Really, she's like your own personal Hungarian guardian angel, just a phone call away!

The culture shock was a big deal for me the first year I was here. I won't lie, I spent most of September to February wavering between "this is kind of bearable" and "well, it's only a nine-month contract, I guess I can stick it out somehow". What got me through it was the support of Hajni, and of the other CETP teachers. It was so nice to be able to reach out to a group of people who were in the same boat as me, gripe a bit, collect some ideas, and have a fresh go each week.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this program for most people. As long as you have some flexibility, some creativity, and the willingness to ask for help when you need it, you'll love it here!