To work while studying in Hungary is a kind of desire in someone’s mind right now. And you know what? The person may not be able to get adequate information to enable him or her to make the right choice. We do not want such for you. That is why we have done thorough research on how you can have a good life as a student.
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Hungary has an excellent reputation for producing the best researchers in the world. It combines the beauty of both Central and Eastern Europe, with its capital, Budapest, being the center for historic, architectural, and cultural displays. In addition, Budapest is famed for having an exciting nightlife. This is good for students who love to enjoy the beauty of the night after a stressful day.
Hungary is also one of the best countries with affordable costs of living. With its open arms for international students and foreigners alike, there is no doubt why Hungary is becoming a famous country and a home away from home.
Unlike other European countries, Hungary is quite affordable in terms of tuition fees. There is no static amount to pay for your studies; it all depends on the individual programs offered by the various universities. However, you can budget between $1,500 and $9,000 per academic year.
In terms of living costs, you do not need to make a fortune before you can comfortably live in the country. That notwithstanding, your spending habits, location of residence, the kind of accommodation you choose, and an institution for your studies all play significant roles in determining your cost of living. For instance, a person studying and living in a private apartment in Budapest will pay more than another person living on a campus in a smaller city. So, everything depends on you. Working as a student is one way you could live largely and enjoy some comfort.
As an international student, it is not out of place to choose Budapest as your study city because it is the political, cultural, and commercial hub of the country. It is where ‘things are happening’. However, other cities in Hungary can give you that student comfort. Cities like Debrecen, Pecs, Szeged, and others offer plenty to explore, ranging from hills to grasslands and lakes.
To study in Hungary in English-taught programs, you will need to present TOEFL or IELTS language test scores. Even at that, you might be required to take an exam at the school to prove your English ability.
The higher educational system in Hungary is the same as in other European countries. There are three types of degrees offered in the universities of Hungary, and they include bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
The bachelor’s degree is designed to last for three or four years, though more specialized courses like medicine, engineering, and related courses last longer. Some courses combine both the bachelor’s and master’s programs and last for five or six years.
Furthermore, there are quite several specialized institutions in Hungary like engineering universities, business schools, and medical universities. Popular courses in Hungarian universities include architecture, business, chemistry, computer science, engineering, finance, information technology, mathematics, and so on.
You might wish to work part-time during the academic session, or you might want to work during the summer holidays to augment your finances, take care of some expenses, and also gain valuable work experience that would help you after graduation. Both situations are also possible if you wish to make them a reality.
One beautiful thing about working in Hungary is that employers provide flexible work hours and conditions for part-time students. You can work between four and six hours per day. It is not bad at all, as it would give you quality time for your education as well.
However, if you are an international student from a country other than the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you might encounter some hitches when it comes to exercising your full right to work. With a residence permit, you could be employed to work while studying. However, there are conditions attached to this. You cannot work beyond 24 hours a week during your study period. Again, you cannot exceed 90 days or 66 working days outside the study period.
Similarly, if you are a citizen of the EU/EEA or an EA member state, you have no limitation regarding the number of hours to be put into work. All you need is a registration card.
Higher institutions in Hungary have administration offices where students could make a stopover to obtain necessary information regarding available jobs within the vicinity. These offices also provide students with guidelines on career planning and management through various programs organized specifically for students looking for a job. If you are fortunate enough, you could be employed by the offices to help in the administrative sector of the school.
Most of the students who study abroad usually work with service companies like restaurants, hotels, cafes, supermarkets, tourism companies, and so on. You need to draft a catchy CV and cover letters that have details of your work experience and the kind of job you can do. Basic knowledge of the Hungarian language is a good foot in the door, as many employers would be pleased to employ you. As an international student, you can earn between €500 and €800 or even more every month. You can use this to take care of your cost of living and other expenses.
Finding a part-time job in Hungary may be easy or difficult, depending on your approach. With the following steps, you might be heading towards getting a good job with adequate working conditions.
Employers in Hungary use LinkedIn as a powerful tool for checking the prospective employer’s profile, which includes the CV, background, and work experience. You should not just create a LinkedIn profile; ensure you update it from time to time. Work experience may not be a big deal for employers in Hungary, as most students are applying for their first job or as an intern.
Each job you do should reflect on your CV. With an attractive CV that smells of good work experience, you may be a hotcake when it comes to part-time jobs as a student.
Don’t just apply for any job; make sure you can comfortably do it. If you don’t have the necessary skills to do such jobs, there is no need to waste your job trying to fit in. On second thought, you can acquire some training to gain the necessary skills for the job. Also, put your study time into consideration. If the job conflicts with the time you are meant to study, it may not be a good one for you. Don’t forget that your grades are the reason you came to Hungary.
If you are lucky enough to be employed by an international establishment, you may not need to present knowledge of the Hungarian language as a skill. The English language may suffice. This is not to say that if you see the opportunity to learn the Hungarian language, you should not give it a chance.
Don’t just restrict yourself to a particular kind of job. Have an open mind and be more concerned about your comfort while doing the job. If the job won’t be problematic for you, you can consider it.
For students who live in any member country of the European Union, they do not need to study any course in Hungary with a visa. Nevertheless, they will need to apply for a residence permit not more than 15 days after arriving in the country.
For non-EU students, there is a need for them to apply for a D-5 student visa via the Hungarian consulate in their home country. The application must be made no more than six months before departure for Hungary. The processing will require at least one month before its completion.
To study in Hungary, the following steps could guide you:
Searching for a part-time job as a student does not mean that the moment you find yourself in Hungary, you will be handed an appointment letter. You might encounter certain difficulties in the course of searching for a job. It is part of the struggle. No good thing comes easily. All you need to do is keep searching until you find the perfect one. Good luck.
You are wondering how to go about processing your admission to schools abroad. Don’t worry! We’ve got your back! Enrolling in the top universities in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive to study abroad due to the current economic crisis. But this shouldn’t limit you, as there are other options you can explore to enhance your career.
MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require a cosigner or collateral before an application. At EdXtra Associates, we can help you with your loan application process. We also provide educational consulting services for international students to help make their journey easier and faster. You can reach out to us, as we’d love to guide you through this journey.
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