Why do thousands of talented students leave the Hungarian education system?
While Hungarian universities are popular among foreign students, many Hungarian high school graduates decide to leave the Hungarian education system.
As Daily News Hungary wrote, Hungarian universities provide high-quality education and many possibilities for students. The best universities in Hungary are Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), University of Szeged, University of Debrecen, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary (KRE), Pázmány Péter Catholic University (PPKE / PPCU), Semmelweis University (SOTE), University of Pécs, Corvinus University of Budapest, and the National University of Public Service.
Hungarian universities provide good education, and many of them have prestigious partner universities abroad. Despite this, many people decide to study abroad. Unfortunately, some of the brightest students pursue higher education abroad.
There are universities where 10-15% of accepted students do not register at the university. These students applied to foreign universities as well and chose that instead of studying in Hungary.
Some of the most popular destinations include the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and other Scandinavian countries. The United Kingdom is still on the list, but many students decided to apply to institutions in other countries after Brexit.
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While there can be various reasons that make students resign from pursuing higher education, every second student decides not to register at a Hungarian university due to plans to study abroad, eduline.hu writes.
At Eötvös Loránd University, 10% of the accepted students do not start their studies. This is a small percentage, but ELTE has the most applicants each year, which means that at least 1,000 students do not start their studies. However, choosing to study abroad instead is not the most common reason behind the decision not to start the semester at university.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) loses 7.2% of accepted students. They study or work abroad instead. At Semmelweis University, the ratio is between 2% and 5%. This is not surprising as Semmelweis is an internationally recognised university, and med school students are very determined. Another reason for the low percentage could be that med school applications in foreign countries are different, the process could be more difficult, tuition is expensive, and it is easier to study in one’s first language, especially in such a demanding field of study.
No matter where they study, Hungarian students can do great work, meet challenges, and get the knowledge and skills they desire. It is unfortunate, however, that approximately 15,000 students find something abroad that they feel the Hungarian higher education system to lack.
Source: eduline.hu, DNH
It is not unusual or new for Hungarian students and professionals to find work in other countries. It was a common practice before the war with most of these professionals returning home and contributing to Hungary.
It was stopped after the war. You were not allowed to come within miles of heavily guarded, mined border under communist tyranny. Only the privileged communist slime and their children could travel abroad and most of then only to the Soviet Union and other Soviet occupied countries.
Now, Hungarians can come and go as they please and don’t have to worry about the border guards shooting you. Now, Hungary is a free country, no thanks to Western Europe.
Being able to study and work abroad is not a sign of weakness but a natural thing. Don’t make more of it than it is. After all, I have returned and many others like me.
DNH, thanks for posting the picture of SOTE lecture hall and students. In 1956, I was a second year BME student and we had similar lecture halls. The picture illustrates that there are close to equal number of boys and girls. SOTE being a medical university, probably more girls than boys.
That is one of the reasons why the West’s trying to tell us about “gender equality” is so misguided and stupid. Hungarian men and women had equal rights and opportunities ever since I remember. We didn’t need “gender equality” garbage to know that women are just as valuable and respected members of our society as men.
Istvan – 85 years old, the Wisdom, your pen writes from that small village of residency in Hungary.
Exercising daily walking your dog – the thoughts memories re-kindled from your early life in Hungary, to living working in somewaht “foreign” lands, then returning to the “breast place” of your birth – Hungary, age does give us – WISDOM.
Istvan – your loyality and the Respect you pay to the historical Sovereignty of Hungary – noted, and the importance this is to you – that is a firm un-movable base – in your commentaries.
Wisdom, the sharing of knowledge and experiences – then the ability to adapt express opinions on modern day life – political matters – and “other” through Wisdom – a Gift and appreciated, by this fellow commentator.
We don’t always agree – be boring and lack a healthy robust opinion relationship – but personally – comfortable with me – we sit on the Right side of the Fence – in our opinions – the Future of Hungary, the safest hands of Government, in this time of age in the History of Hungary – that should be elected at the next National Elections in Hungary.
Hungary – in the year of your birth – was there a King on the Throne ??? – ha ha.
Just NEVER know – never say never – we may in the Gloaming years of our Lives – see King Victor – enthroned in Hungary.
Stay Safe & Well – you and yours.
Thank you Norbert
Living, studying in abroad gives you language skills, resilience, capabilities. Also perspectives, “normal” and modern way of thinking, empathy, acceptance and humbleness. Much of what most Hungarian-educated fellows lack, and probably will lack forever…
Education – it Turns Mirrors into Windows of Opportunity.
Personally provided me with opportunities to further my studies – in a foreign country.
Education – the extensions and – Flow on’s – give Choices.
Personally – in time as Istvan made comment, I returned to my country of birth, that hopefully, through Education provided me with the opportunities to share with others – the “Fruits” and Benefits received – through Education.
Go for it – the young and Future of Hungary – create it and make it Happen.
Hungary – is growing from a Government in Power position, under Prime Minister – Victor Orban – Fidesz Party – to give Support and Encouragement to the young of Hungary – to seek and want – and to provide – Education, of increased standards to all the young of Hungary and “sell to them” – the benifits to them personally- to there Lives, and there country of birth – Hungary – all of which are realistically acheivable – through Education.
Albert Einstein – spoke that – “We make a Living by what we get – but we make a Life – by what we Give.”
Think his message has more ticks than crosses ///.
Hungarians studying and working abroad need to learn those things that benefit them and their profession while not allowing western decadence influence their values.
The western perversion and cancel culture garbage is not for us.
Student in most western countries study in universities far from home. In the first year, the students usually stay in dorms or frat or sorority houses. This is called trying your wings. All states, most big cities have state universities. Many of these universities have high standards. Yet, students usually try to attend colleges far from home, usually at greater expense than local state universities.
Hungary is a very small country. The only way to fulfill this need to adventure is to go to a different country. This allows the Hungarian students the same experience as their counter parts in North America.
Hungarian universities have many foreign students. Most Hungarian Universities are highly rated. Many foreign university courses are over rated. Hungarian parents should not waste money on foreign Arts Programs, especially in US universities such as Harvard or Berkley or British universities such as Oxford or Cambridge.
“Hungarian parents should not waste money on foreign Arts Programs, especially in US universities such as Harvard or Berkley or British universities such as Oxford or Cambridge.”
Very true.