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Here is why several Hungarian students apply to foreign universities
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From September, dozens of Hungarian students plan to start their university studies abroad. Furthermore, the proportion of applicants for Hungarian higher education has decreased significantly this year that can generate labour shortage in specific sectors later on. But what is the reason for the mass emigration of students and which are the most popular destinations?
According to the latest data of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, the number of applicants for higher education in Hungary has drastically decreased this year. Numerically, it means 91,400 students in 2021, which is about 20,000 less than a year before.
Furthermore, there has not been such a low number of applicants since 2001.
The purpose of the unstoppable emigration is partly working, partly studying abroad. As the world has changed a lot in the last twenty years, younger generations have different demands than before. Those students who start their studies abroad or even graduate at a foreign university are less likely to return to Hungary. Speaking languages with a high level of expertise behind them, they work for higher wages and experience a better standard of living abroad; therefore, only a very few of them decide to return to their homeland.
According to the Hungarian news portal Pénzcentrum, the low domestic income in Hungary compared to the EU wage level continuously encourages Hungarian emigration.
In addition to large wage differences, expectations about the future, dissatisfaction with the situation in their home country and high domestic unemployment in the past are the main drivers of students’ emigration.
Ten Hungarian universities have been ranked among the best in the world
Surveys have shown that the process of migration is not one-way: some emigrants return home and then go abroad again. It depends whether the individuals, based on their experiences abroad, manage to claim higher wage demands at home and realise their expectations.
Several demographic studies highlight that the increasing tendency of students’ emigration is a serious threat to Hungary that can cause labour shortage in several sectors. This is the age group that will pay taxes and contributions within a few years, as well as give birth within a decade; however, those who emigrate will realise all these far from Hungary.
Half of Hungarians have an acquaintance who has left their homeland.
With the level of education, the proportion of those who know emigrants increases: among those with up to 8 grades, it is 40%, and among graduates, it is 63%. The news portal also examined the reasons behind it by asking five students from Hungary, studying abroad.
Read also: Education Abroad: 5 Promising Countries
Based on the answers, the main reason why several Hungarian students choose the Netherlands as their destination is that tuition fees are relatively low compared to other countries; meanwhile, the quality of education is exceptionally high. In addition, people are friendly, and they speak English well, making it easier to find a job. Furthermore, sustainability is also an important aspect in which the Netherlands is at the forefront.
Like all young people, Hungarians are adventurous and most of them would like to experience other than
the familiar.
Travel expands the horizon and gives a broader understanding of the world.
There is absolutely nothin wrong in that.
As long as we can offer them positions and the love for their country, their family to draw them back.
Our universities are recognised as amongst the best in the world.
“Our universities are recognised as amongst the best in the world.”
Hi Observer,
Sorry to rain on your parade but this is a best misleading. I know there have been various reports about Hungarian Universities being at the top, but a more careful reading reveals that what they are rated as is mediocre. When you are at the top of the 500th place it is a long way from top, and when you are at the top of food services it doesn’t count much for the the education.
Unfortunately Hungary has forced one of it’s truly top universities CEU to leave and now with the new foundation game what’s left of the university system will be undermined by the money drain and political agendas.
Sorry but too many missteps and lack of any sort of wisdom doesn’t bode well for education in a Hungarian future.
Oil —— you forgot the lack of Marxist indoctrination as you would find in almost all major US universities.