Internships in Hungary

No matter where you choose to intern in Hungary, you will more often than not be left speechless (and not because you can’t speak the language). The landlocked status and shared borders has caused Hungary to absorb a diversity of cultural influences throughout history that stems from its auspicious geographical setting. This makes Hungary is a treasure trove of hidden gems, causing interns to implement a double take as a part of their daily routine.

Budapest. Up until 1873, Buda and Pest were two cities on the opposite sides of the river Danube, with distinctive characteristics. Buda encompassed the natural beauty of the city, while Pest contained the urban center and the iconic Parliament building. Now, this city boasts the best combination of work and play. After unwinding from a hard work week reveling in the nightlife, in the morning, join locals in “taking the waters” (dubbed the best hangover cure) in one of the many natural thermal hot springs scattered across the city.

Because roughly one-third of Hungarians live in Budapest, most interns are limited to the city. But for the trailblazers and torchbearers always looking to devise a plan to stray off the beaten path, have no fear. Hungary conceals much of its exotic nature in some of the more remote cities. Mark down Debrecen, Miskolc, and Szeged in your travel log as cities where you can spend your weekend off within a more intimate cultural landscape.

Hungary internships aren’t known for any one specific field. On the contrary, there are numerous fields for interns in Hungary that have garnered world recognition, which means that no matter what your interest, there is an internship in that field for you.

Architecture. Not all of Hungary’s beauty is God given. Humankind has played a role in shaping this pretty face too. Architecturally, the city is a treasure trove, with enough baroque, neoclassical, and art nouveau buildings to satisfy everyone. Interns interested in architecture need apply.

Health. If med school application due dates are looming, shadowing doctors during medical internships in Hungary is what will make your application shine. Pre-med students need to understand health care in a global context to expand their perspective as a physician. These internships run during university breaks, so pre-med students can this global experience without missing a beat and kill two birds with one stone.

Hungary has all the Central European charm without the high prices of many other destinations—a huge relief for interns. At first glance, Hungary’s advanced economy proposes a high living standard, but because it spent many years behind the Iron Curtain, the cost of living remains significantly less expensive than in Western Europe. While it is also a member of the European Union, Hungary has chosen to stay on its own currency, the forint, which exchanges at about 280 HUF to $1 USD. For those who want to intern in Hungary, but need to minimize expenses (who doesn’t though?) consider creating a FundMyTravel campaign.

When you intern abroad in Hungary, accommodations will vary depending on your location and specific internship. However, you will most likely be looking at a shared apartment or housing situation with other interns, expats, or young professionals in the same boat as you. So yes, your internship could basically come with built in friends.

Most people from Europe, the United States, Canada, or Australia are not required to get a visa for long-term stay in Hungary. However, Hungary’s visa policy varies depending on your home country. Check with your employer and/or program provider for more information and be sure check out the GoAbroad Embassy Directory.

The decision to intern in Hungary certainly sets you apart from the Western Europe crowd, and could lead to some interesting conversations down the road at a professional level. Sure, you could have chosen to intern in Barcelona or London, but clearly there’s something different about you that led you to venture deeper into the heart of Europe. Considering the low cost of living, convenient transportation systems, and picturesque views around every corner, there's very few downsides to interning in Hungary.

Hungarian is an enigma. One word: megszentségteleníthetetlenségeskedéseitekért. Not all the vocabulary is this daunting, but many people believe it to be one of the hardest (but most rewarding) languages to learn. Hungarian isn’t in the same language family as the rest of Europe. As a result its words don’t have the benefit of a Latin and Greek background that make some words in English, French, and Spanish quite recognizable compared to each other. But don’t freak out—English and German are still widely spoken in Hungary.