Volunteer with Culture Exchange Programs in Hungary

I found it to be a very interesting and enjoyable experience. The participants and native speakers were all very friendly and cooperative. The location where we stayed was exceptional, and the staff were very attentive.

Budapest is a beautiful city with lots of fantastic architecture and I am extremely happy that I had the opportunity to visit Hungary and be part of the Angloville experience. I think that the methods Angloville uses in teaching English is efficient and relevant to the needs of those who participate with the aims of improving their English.

And although I felt a little bit drained by the end of my weeks programme, I most definitely would like to participate in future events in other parts of Europe, and indeed other parts of the world.

This was an amazing experience. I got the chance to meet lots of different people ripped and we experience completely different culture and speak to the Hungarian participants. All of the Hungarian participants were extremely enthusiastic and willing to take part in all the different socials activities and in the one to one conversation sessions. it was great to also get somebody experience teaching the participants in the classroom and get some experience teaching English to non native speakers. The staff and angloville coordinators were very flexibile and were able to adapt to each of our individual needs and make sure then PROGRAMMAE went smoothly and wverythingg ran well. I would definitely recommend this programmae to anyone who with wants to travel and even to experience a new culture .

My friend and I recently completed an Angloville Program in Hungary and all we want to do is come back! Both the facilities and staff at the venue we stayed at were excellent. In addition, we couldn’t have asked for a better group of coordinators, Dani, Astrida and Timi. These guys were so helpful throughout the week as well as super fun! Not only were the coordinators awesome but the other volunteers were also constantly going above and beyond for the participants. The kids themselves were amazing to mentor and interact with, showing a keen interest in our culture and learning English. All in all, being given the opportunity to gain insight into another culture as well as share some of our own was an amazing experience that we would highly recommend to anyone!

This was my first Angloville and it was amazing! The students were great - really engaged and motivated. It was wonderful to see their progress over the week, improving their language skills, growing in confidence and enjoying their experience. I met so many people from different parts of the globe and different walks of life, which helped make my experience of Angloville so enriching. The coordinators were friendly, encouraging and supportive. The venue (Varga Tanya) was lovely. I can recommend the wellness centre for taking some time out to relax during a busy day. Overall the environment was friendly, fun and relaxed. Mentoring sessions included one-to-one conversation, small group discussions, role play, negotiations, telephone conversations and group activities. I would recommend Angloville to anyone. Just be yourself and enjoy the experience!

I had some trepidation attending Angloville in Budapest because my favorite "hunting grounds" is southern/western Europe, but I am glad I tried Angloville. I had fun in Budapest beforehand looking for any familiar "root words" in Hungarian. I did enjoy the walking tour to Buda, as I had only walked around Pest. Ildiko and Sebastian were jonnie-on-the-spot if I had any questions or concerns. I enjoyed the group programs where we worked together with the Hungarians on a practical activity, like making a business plan or preparing for a city council meeting. The mentor/mentee component was great; I rally got to know my mentee Eva. I volunteered to do a short presentation which was received well. I had a good time doing it. Perhaps the volunteers could be encouraged to do so. I hope to attend another program in the new year.

In September 2015, I joined Angloville in Hungary at Hotel Nyerges. This was my first experience in such a program. I applied to this program to have a unique experience in my humdrum life. Plus, I couldn’t say no to see Budapest and stay free of charge at a resort with a pool, thermal bath, and Jacuzzi, including free board and 3 meals a day for one week. Of course, I had to work, but, somehow, after a vigorous week, I felt rested and re-energized.

When I applied, I was concerned that the program was a scam -- too good to be true. However, I did a proper research on the program and didn’t find any negative comment or even a warning to stay away. So, I decided to apply thinking that if it was a scam, they would ask me for money at any point during the application process and even after. However, they never did. In fact, administrators of the program were friendly, positive, and professional.

Last, but not least, I was concerned that I wouldn’t be accepted. Though I earned TEFL Certificate, and my English language knowledge, I believe, is on par with most of English-born speakers, I was apprehensive due to my accent. My accent is not thick, but it stands out. Nevertheless, I was accepted into the program. As Gideon (my Skype interviewee – talk about a new experience) told me that having a different accent in the program will be beneficial to local participants since people of the world speak in English with different kinds of accents and exposing themselves to one would be a great experience. With such positive feedback, I was ready to head out to the land of people who grow wonderful wine (though a bit too sweet) and speak one of the craziest languages of this beautiful planet.

Before coming to the program, I received all of the itineraries that included step-by-step explanations about the tour of Budapest and of the program itself. Of course, one requirement was to provide a confirmation number of my in-bound flight to show my commitment to the program.

My first experience with Angloville (not counting my Skype interview) was during the Budapest tour where I met the Anglos for the first time. The tour guide, Eva Kleyer, was a good guide and provided interesting information about the history of Budapest. Yes, there was a lot of walking, but we also traveled on the local bus and metro. The tour consisted of Buda Castle, Hero Square with the local castle (where a traditional festival was taking place), and random visits such as to Jewish controversial monument, a playful fountain, and monument to Soviet regime and a statue to Ronald Regan on the same square. The tour ended with a lunch.

The program
First and foremost, I want to send positive energy and evaluation to two organizers and administrators of the program Fanni and Sebastian. They were extremely dedicated to the program. Both of them went beyond and above to make sure the program ran smoothly and was interesting, exciting, and fulfilling for all particinants. Due to their dedication, no one had to worry about administrative aspects and activities of the program.

The teaching/tutoring consisted of already pre-planned questions and idioms that we had to discuss with English-learners. Of course, we didn’t have to stick to the provided questions. Many talked about topics that either were connected to the theme of the lesson or about something else entirely. Furthermore, there were group activities, two-on-two activities, and, finally, a presentation on any topic that an English-learner would like to talk about. Anglos, for the final project, worked only as mentors. Overall, the organizers did a phenomenal job with preparations and running of the program. Pre-planned lessons were difficult to talk about but were not a hindrance. After all, when intelligent people come together, conversations become quite interesting.

Last, but not last, group activities were fun and exciting; really took people out of their comfort zone. The environment was safe, I believe, and it allowed participants to be a bit foolish that was welcomed. Two-on-two conversations were rare but more useful. One such activity was a telephone conversation. I wish we had more of such activities.

My recommendation about the activities would be to create more useful activities that are challenging but not too philosophical because some one-on-one discussions had such great conversations that 45 minutes for an activity wasn’t enough. A lesson is as good as the activity that ends on time.

As for Hotel Nyerges, I would say that the place was great. It was homey. The air was fresh (considering I came from NYC) with lots of animals. Plus, there was a Jacuzzi, a thermal bath, a pool, and great menu (did I mention this before?). However, the place lacks an air-conditioner in the rooms or even a good fan.

In the conclusion, I would highly recommend for any English-speaking individual (who has a good knowledge of it and either was born in an English-speaking country or has a mild accent, like I do) and those want to improve English to jump into this program head first. It would be a new experience and meeting new people of different backgrounds and experiences is always a great idea. You will work hard, but you will relax and won’t feel too stressed out (imagine having an activity in a Jacuzzi). This was definitely a different kind of vacation that I would do again.

I participated in two of these programs and enjoyed both immensely. I would not say it is easy but it is very rewarding and memorable. It is rewarding and inspiring to help the participants with their language skills and confidence with the English language. It is memorable to form friendships with people you would probably otherwise never meet and get to really know what a country and it's people are like.

As a retired person, the fact that I can still find an opportunity of little cost and interact and enjoy the experience of conversing with not only foreign speakers, but English speaking people from around the world, is a fantastic adventure.
I found the experience inspirational and Im still learning. Learning about another culture, another language and meeting people who may become friends in the future.