Highly Recommended for the Open-Minded

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.