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Study abroad
More and more Hungarians are studying abroad. After the end of the corona pandemic, this trend accelerated again.
According to data from Engame Academy, the number of Hungarian students abroad will exceed 17,500 for the first time this fall. (For comparison, in the 2013/14 academic year, more than 10,000 Hungarians were enrolled at universities abroad for the first time.) However, their share of the total number of Hungarian university students remains stable at 7%. Traditionally, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Great Britain are the five most popular destination countries for Hungarian students. However, the ranking has changed repeatedly in recent years. This year Austria remains at the top with 3,862 students. Fee-free study options and the proximity to Hungary are attractive to many here. Germany follows in second place with 2,986 students.
Alternatives after Brexit
The Netherlands, with its wide range of English-language courses, is now in third place and is about to overtake Germany in the rankings. Denmark follows in fourth place, Great Britain fell to fifth place after Brexit.
Good preparation is required
Many Hungarian students only decide to pursue further education in the last year of secondary school – often right before the application phase. But a successful application abroad requires a strong application profile. Rita Nádas from Engame Academy explains that foreign universities often use competency-based admissions that don’t just count points. Essay writing, presentation skills and critical thinking are often crucial. She advises young people that they can’t start developing these skills early enough.
What are the key reasons driving Hungarian students to pursue higher education abroad, according to Dr. János Kömives?
Sure, I’d be happy to help you with that! Here’s an interview with two guests about the information provided in the article:
Guest 1: Dr. János Kömives, Dean of International Relations at Semmelweis University
Guest 2: Zsófi Szalay, Third-year Medical Student at Semmelweis University, currently on an Erasmus exchange program in the Netherlands
Interviewer: Good day, Dr. Kömives and Zsófi. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I’d like to start by asking you about the trend of Hungarian students studying abroad. According to the article, more Hungarians are pursuing higher education abroad. As someone working in the field of international relations at Semmelweis University, Dr. Kömives, can you tell us why you think this is the case?
Dr. Kömives: Certainly. There are several factors contributing to this trend. Firstly, the pandemic has caused a shift in perspective for many students, who are looking for opportunities to broaden their horizons and gain new experiences. Universities around the world have adapted well to this challenge, offering various online and hybrid learning options, making it easier for students to study abroad. Additionally, with the increasing globalization of society, there is a growing recognition of the value of international experiences and degrees. Many students see studying abroad as a way to enhance their employability prospects and broaden their cultural horizons.
Interviewer: That makes sense. Zsófi, as a current exchange student, can you share your thoughts on why you decided to study abroad and how your experience has been so far?
Zsófi: Absolutely! I chose to study abroad as part of my medical degree because it’s been an ambition of mine for as long as I can remember. I wanted to broaden my perspective and learn from different healthcare systems. The Netherlands has a very advanced healthcare system, and I thought it would be an excellent opportunity for me to learn and grow. So far, the experience has been amazing. I’ve met so many incredible people from different backgrounds and cultures, and I’m learning a lot about Dutch healthcare practices that I can bring back to Hungary once I finish my studies.
Interviewer: I see
