Life in Budapest: What foreigners need to know from the perspective of a Chinese national
Our team is committed to reaching out to and giving a voice to foreigners who have moved to Hungary for work, family, or other reasons, and who spend their daily lives here alongside their families. We want to understand how they feel about living here, what difficulties they face, how they have managed to integrate, and what they think about Hungary and their place of residence. Therefore, we have launched a series in which we interview foreigners living here about their work and experiences in our country.
Here is the first article in the series, from Zou Shunpeng (Robert Zou), General Secretary of the Hungarian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Honorary Vice President of the Hungarian Chinese Cultural and Innovation Association.
Arrival and occupation
I arrived in Budapest in 2020, motivated by both a deep interest in international education reform and the desire to build a fulfilling family life in a city that is beautiful, safe, and internationally minded. Over the past five years, Budapest has not only exceeded my expectations; it has become the place where I’ve developed both professional roots and a strong sense of community.
Through my work, I have built close partnerships with many of the leading British and American international schools in Budapest, as well as with several local universities. My focus has been on supporting families—especially those from Asia, and particularly from China—who are relocating to Hungary. I help them identify and gain admission to international schools that best suit their children’s educational needs. Beyond that, I assist families in understanding and adapting to the academic culture of international schools, so their children can thrive both socially and academically.
In addition to my work in education, I serve as the Secretary-General of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Hungary. In this role, I actively support Chinese enterprises—particularly SMEs—in building partnerships and navigating the local business environment. More recently, I have also taken on the role of Honorary Vice President at the Hungarian Chinese Cultural and Innovation Association. In this capacity, I work with my colleagues to promote Sino-Hungarian exchanges in education and youth innovation, helping to bridge cultures and foster economic collaboration.
My company, PGLC Academy, co-founded with Ms Lai Hanjing (Jing for short), is dedicated to supporting students—both from the Chinese community and from Hungary’s broader international population. Our mission is to provide access to high-quality international education, helping students prepare for entry into the world’s top 100 universities, as well as Hungary’s own leading institutions, such as Semmelweis University, Óbuda University, and Széchenyi István University. We believe in systematic training, academic excellence, and meaningful global pathways.
Livin in Budapest: three particularly strong impressions
Firstly, it is a vibrant and intellectually stimulating city. The international community here is incredibly active, and I often collaborate with colleagues and friends from the British, Canadian, and American Chambers of Commerce. These interactions have led to many creative initiatives. One of my favourite examples is the China–UK wine tasting event we co-hosted last year at the Dorothea Hotel Presidential Suite. It was not only a delightful gastronomic experience, but also a meaningful cultural exchange and celebration of international friendship.
Secondly, Budapest is one of the safest cities I have lived in or visited in Europe. After travelling extensively across the continent, I can confidently say that walking the streets of Budapest at night feels safe and welcoming. Because of this, I often encourage senior executives from Chinese enterprises working here to consider enrolling their children in international schools during their 3–5 year stay. The combination of safety, quality education, and cultural immersion makes for an ideal environment in which young people can grow.
Lastly, I see Budapest—and Hungary more broadly—as a bridge between East and West, with strong and growing ties to cities like Shenzhen and other parts of China. This bilateral cooperation provides great opportunities for members of the local Chinese community to give back to the society in which we live. In March this year, PGLC Academy co-organised a women-focused floral design workshop and appreciation event with W Hotel Budapest. The gathering brought together representatives from various embassies, international schools, and also selected influential women leaders from the Chinese community.
These remarkable women balance both professional and family lives with grace, and the relaxed atmosphere provided an opportunity to highlight women’s voices and perspectives in education and leadership.
Helping public schools
In addition, starting last year, we partnered with Rosedale International Education to bring the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) programme—widely implemented across 20 countries and over 100 high schools and universities—into Hungary. Through this initiative, we aim to help local public schools, international schools, and universities strengthen their students’ English-language capabilities and provide them with an additional international academic pathway. Ultimately, this programme contributes to the internationalisation of Hungary’s education system and helps build a more connected and globally minded local community.
I look forward to deepening collaborations with local and international partners who share our vision. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in working together—whether in education, cultural exchange, or economic development. Budapest is full of potential—and I believe we’re just getting started.
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