Working with co-teachers was also a huge shift, but I have found that my Hungarian counterparts have been incredibly helpful and understanding as I worked through adjusting to this new system.

When I first learned that this job opportunity could be a reality, I was incredibly excited to see what Budapest had in store. I went from Googling photos of the beautiful architecture to landing in this completely brand-new country in less than 3 months. Bilingual made it an easy choice for me as they helped even before landing to get all the paperwork together, find my first flat and even with transportation from the airport. This was huge for me. Being the first foreign country I had moved to alone, I was comforted by all of the extra support. My initial accommodation was just a few minutes’ walk from the orientation site, and once my flat was finalized, there was a lot of care taken by the staff to show me around the new neighbourhood so I could acclimate to my surroundings a bit more efficiently.

This support continued for the next few weeks as I worked through the orientation process and met all the new and old teachers. It was great to have some fun team-building sessions mixed in with the practical activities. This was an easy way to meet colleagues and begin to build a social circle. The people I met during those sessions have become some of my best friends.

The first few days of working in a Hungarian school were a bit overwhelming. Coming from the States, everything is very well planned out months in advance from the school calendar to teacher assignments. Here, that is not necessarily the case. Principals of each school have much more leeway, so there is variation in how each school is organized and operates. This took a bit of time for me to get used to, but understanding that everyone was in the same boat and “together” in the experience helped me relax. 

Working with co-teachers was also a huge shift, but I have found that my Hungarian counterparts have been incredibly helpful and understanding as I worked through adjusting to this new system. Working with the same students year after year has been a wonderful experience, being able to watch the growth and progress they make on a much bigger scale. It also allows for a deeper trust to form between the teachers, the students and their families. I believe this also contributes to a better classroom community.

Budapest itself is very cosmopolitan with many restaurants, festivals and parks - all of which continues to amaze me. There is always something new to do or experience, but at the same time the city keeps its cozy neighborhood charm. Living and working in this magnificent city continues to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.