Hey guys, it’s Esteban, and we’re back with a new blog, “FAIRE TON STAGE BTS SAM EN HONGRIE”. You’re doing a BTS in Management Support and you want to do an internship in an Eastern European country, especially Hungary? Welcome, buddy, you’ve come to the right place.
To get you started, the BTS SAM is not just about professional subjects, it’s also about language. Formerly BTS AM, this BTS requires an international context for your internship. That’s why going abroad is perfect for your diploma.
Let’s get to the heart of the matter. In this blog, I’m going to explain and show you why it’s a great idea to do your internship in Hungary as part of your BTS Support à l’action managériale.
THE LANGUAGE
When you’re there, you’ll see that Hungarian is the official language, spoken by 98% of the country’s nearly 10 million inhabitants.
The good news is that Hungarians generally speak good English, especially in the capital. In fact, in “Buda” or “Pest” (as Budapest is called), people speak very good English.
After that, let’s be honest, the older generations only speak Hungarian and not English at all. That’s why, if you’re ever lost, turn to a young person for advice, and chances are they’ll be able to answer you in English.
On the other hand, very few people speak French.
HOUSING
Let’s talk about accommodation. As in many countries, the capital Budapest is the most expensive place to live. The average monthly rent in this city is between 200 and 300 euros, if you choose to rent during your internship (this is often the choice of students in general). Honestly, it’s not difficult to find one, but be curious and look around on Facebook groups and specialized apps.
The only piece of advice I can give you, personally, is never to pay in advance if you’re not there yet. It’s better to stay in a hotel or youth hostel for the first week, and avoid paying in advance as much as possible. Otherwise, you risk getting ripped off, and that would really spoil the start of your internship abroad.
THE WEATHER
This country has a moderate continental climate, even though it lies at the crossroads of four types of climate. Beware of the Siberian cold – this is not Spain. The average annual temperature is between 8 and 12 degrees.
Take warm clothes depending on the time of year you’re going.
BUDAPEST
I briefly mentioned the capital at the start of the blog, but now I have to get serious. For me, Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Buda is where life is. You live there, you go out (to bars, cultural activities).
Well, I’ll be honest, Budapest is great, but it’s not crazy either if you compare it to the big European cities (London, Paris or Berlin), it’s still a small capital.
A really nice thing about BUDA is that there are thermal baths everywhere. Thermal baths are places where you can enjoy hot baths, saunas and various wellness treatments, often fed by natural springs, so it’s a bit like going to the beach all year round. Well, I’ll be honest, they’re not cheap if you go every day, but the prices are…
If you’re a sporty type, there are plenty of gyms on every street.
There are some good restaurants, but you have to like greasy food, which is a bit of an Eastern European thing :/.
There are quite a few bars and nightclubs, but I’ll be honest, that’s perhaps the biggest negative.
COST OF LIVING
As a preamble, Hungary is a European Union country in Central Europe, with the forint as its national currency (1 euro = 386 forints).
Prices have come a long way since inflation, as you’d expect, but when it comes to the cost of living, frankly, it’s very affordable. It’s one of the most affordable countries I’ve visited in Europe. It’s cheaper than all the big European cities, cheaper than the Baltic States. In fact, that’s not very surprising if you look at salaries. The main expenses are going out, eating out and renting an apartment (we talked about this at the start of the blog). You’ll be able to eat in some very good restaurants at very reasonable prices. After that, you have to take inflation into account because, yes, prices have changed a lot over the last 2 years.
YOUR INTERNSHIP
As in all countries today, there’s not much difference between an internship in France and one in Hungary, apart from the language barrier. Let me reassure you: Hungary is not the Middle Ages, they obviously have the latest equipment in their companies, and you won’t be too lost during your internship. You’ll need time to adapt, but don’t stress. 🙂
THINGS TO DO IN HUNGARY
- The Buda Castle district
There’s plenty to see in Budapest, but the castle district, next to Heroes’ Square, is a must!
Not just Matthias Basilica and the Fishermen’s Bastion, but the whole walled district is worth a visit. Although, it has to be said, the best view of Budapest and Parliament is from the Fishermen’s Bastion.
- Budapest’s castle district is a must-see in Budapest
Eger Castle is the country’s most famous castle, because of the resistance it put up against the Turkish attack in 1552. So it’s a must-see once in a while!
Today, Eger Castle is a protected monument, operating as a museum. Permanent exhibitions present the history of the castle, its system of underground fortifications and medieval methods of punishment. A special room pays tribute to its heroes.
If you go to Eger, you should also mention the Vallée des Belles Femmes, where there are almost 200 wineries. Tourists can stroll down a circular street where they can taste quality wines.
- Esterházy Castle, Fertőd
If you’re in the Sopron area, you can’t miss Fertőd Castle. Thanks to the artistic support of the Esterházy princes who lived there in the 18th century, the castle was one of the main cultural centers of late 18th-century Hungary.
The imposing castle is a true counterpart to Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and Versailles in Paris. It’s also known as the “Hungarian Versailles”. No wonder it’s one of the most beautiful castles in the country.
Not only the interior spaces, but also the grounds are magnificent. The original French garden was transformed into an English park in the 18th century.
- The Turkish remains of Pécs
The south-western town is not only popular because of its proximity to Mecsek, but also because most of Hungary’s Turkish architectural monuments can be found here!
Many have already heard of the mosque, but there’s also a tomb (a Turkish burial site) and even a minaret. The architecture of Pécs is strongly marked by the traces of the Turkish conquest. That, honestly, is my personal favorite 🙂
But there’s plenty more to see in the capital of Baranya county, where even a short stay of a few days won’t be boring!
- Aggtelek cave
One of the country’s best-known natural sites, is the Baradla cave, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
At 5.3 kilometers, it is longer than the Domica in Slovakia, with which it forms a system. On average, it is 10 metres wide and 7 to 8 metres high, and in some places it widens into gigantic chambers.
The spectacular features of the cave system are the stalactites of various shapes and colors. Rainwater seeps into the cracks in the limestone and dissolves the lime, which drips from the cave ceiling. This is how stalactites are formed.
Starting from Aggtelek, the cave system can be explored on a one-hour tour. For me, the best part was the concert hall, with its fantastic acoustics.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this blog. And, above all, I hope I’ve given you some information and made you want to come and do an internship abroad in Budapest. If you’re in a BTS SAM and you’d like to do a different kind of internship, don’t hesitate to go and do your internship in Budapest, you won’t regret it, I promise! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’d like to do an internship abroad. In the meantime: Your questions will probably be answered here.