Work experience
Just as in other European countries, during undergraduate studies, certain specializations require the students to go through a practical work experience.
Student Placements
A placement involves the placement of a student in a temporary work, school or research environment to acquire valuable experience profitable in the long run.
There are several student organizations facilitating student placements in Hungary: the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IASTE) helps students find summer placements for science and engineering; AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) facilitates the exchange of information on programmes for students and recent graduates worldwide; the Leonardo Da Vinci Programme helps students with vocational training and business placements and is funded by the European Commission.
Internship and placement advice
Universities, students’ organization and other structures are willing to organise the placement for the students. They have to settle agreements with the host companies and to plan the internship program.
For the students that are interested in getting by themselves a job or a placement opportunity the main sources of the vacancies are presented below.
Vacancy sources
Job websites
- CV Online Hungary – vacancies in English: https://alumnicareer.ceu.hu/career/resources
- EURES – European Job Mobility Portal – job vacancies and CV-posting service for jobseekers, along with information on living and working circumstances and labour markets in Hungary: https://ec.europa.eu/eures/
Websites of cosmopolitan companies with offices in Hungary:
- http://www.siemens.com/about/en/worldwide/hungary_1154621.htm;
- http://www-05.ibm.com/employment/hu/ibmissc/index.html;
- http://www.hill.hu/main_page, etc.
Recruitment agencies
- The Hungarian Yellow Pages offer information on employment agencies functioning in Hungary: http://www.yellowpages.hu/
- Some UK-based recruitment agencies present international vacancies or have branches abroad. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) can help one find a list of member agencies and contact them to see if they include jobs in Hungary: http://www.rec.uk.com/home
- One can consult the International Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (CIETT) website for information on their European members: http://www.ciett.org/.
Newspapers
- Budapest Business Journal – info on Hungarian business activities and industry: http://www.bbj.hu/
- The Budapest Sun – includes the section: ‘jobseekers and jobs available’: http://www.budapestsun.com/
- The Budapest Times: http://www.budapesttimes.hu/
- More Hungarian newspapers can be found via the Kidon Media-Link. http://www.kidon.com/media-link/index.php.
Other sources
- Both multinational and large Hungarian companies participate to careers and job fairs. Some universities may hold career fairs (e.g. Central European University Business School: http://business.ceu.hu/).
- Corvinus University of Budapest (http://www.uni-corvinus.hu) and Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) (http://english.www.bme.hu/) provide career services (links with employers and info on vacancies), like a few more institutions.
- Health professionals willing to work and study in Hungary can discover valuable addresses and contacts at Medics Travel (http://www.medicstravel.co.uk/).
Social security and European health insurance card
If, as a student, you need medical help, being a citizen of the European Union, you can ask for an international social insurance card (EHIC). This card allows you to receive treatment under the same conditions and at the same costs as any Hungarian citizen.
For more information, visit: http://www.mastersportal.eu/articles/214/studying-in-hungary-important-things-to-know.html
Safety
In Hungary, safety precautions are similar for those of other countries. Non residents should try to beware of pickpockets and should not leave their luggage unattended.
More info on: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Hungary
Do I need a visa?
Citizens of the EU do not require a visa to enter Hungary. For them, an identity card is sufficient to travel throughout the European Union.
Internship and placement salary
Like in other European countries, usually internships are not paid.
For a paid job during the internship, students can search online for information and for a list of companies.
The minimum wage in Hungary is €260 per month and the average blue-collar worker has a net monthly income of €340. With such a salary, it is often a considerable challenge for workers to make ends meet. Office workers and professionals earn almost twice the salary of blue-collar workers.
Internship and placement accommodation
Depending on the organisation, a student may need to find their own accommodation. If working with a non-profit organisation e.g. in the field of humanitarian work a room and even food may be provided.