School

You will attend a gimnàzium (academic secondary school). English is taught as the primary second language. Hungarian schools emphasize physical education, morality, and familiarity with the arts. All high schools teach history, Hungarian grammar, literature, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, physical education, art, and music.

Orientations

All students applying for the program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (Spring departures). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for the Fall programs will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

You will also have a four-day arrival orientation in Hungary, in addition to a three-day mid-year orientation in January and a three-day departure orientation at the end of the program. YFU Hungary offers a basic Hungarian language course during the post-arrival orientation. Students will receive advanced language and grammar materials throughout the program. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Optional Excursions

Year program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.

Prague Visit: This four-day sightseeing trip to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, includes a guided bus tour and other cultural activities.

Parliament Tour: In the spring, students have the opportunity to visit the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, known as one of the most beautiful works of architecture in the world.

Day Trip to Vienna: Students may have the opportunity to take a one-day long trip to Vienna, the capital of Austria, accompanied by YFU volunteers. The group leaves early in the morning and arrives back at night. The program includes taking a short walking tour, a bus tour, and other cultural activities.

Day Trip to Budapest: In the winter, students may get the chance to spend a day with other exchange students and volunteers in Budapest. Depending on the weather, the program will include ice skating or sightseeing and other winter-specific activities.

Special Interest Programs

Music: Hungary has always been a country with a strong musical tradition. From Liszt and Bartok to the pulsating rhythm of the "czardas," Hungarian composers and musicians have made this nation's folk and classical music famous worldwide. Depending on your host family placement and musical ability level, you will attend one of two types of music schools. One involves taking academic classes at a public high school in the morning and music lessons in the afternoon. This type of school is recommended for students who play music as a hobby, and are interested in developing their skills through a high quality music program. Students receive one on one instrumental lessons twice a week, as well as compulsory solmization lessons twice a week, and may have the opportunity to play with the school's orchestra at competitions, concerts, and festivals. The other involves the students attending a musical-arts high school, and is recommended for students who are serious about developing their existing music skills. YFU Hungary reserves the right to decide which type of music school you can be enrolled in according to your audition materials. You should bring your instrument with you to Hungary. Students applying for the music program should have previous training and be serious about musical arts. Please contact info@yfu.org for more information about the experience requirements for this program!

Sports Program: The sports program in Hungary allows students to continue practicing a high-level sport or to begin a new sport in an intensive atmosphere. The most common sports practiced in Hungary are horseback riding, water polo, dance, and soccer, but if a student wishes to gain experience in a different sport, that is definitely a possibility! Contact info@yfu.org to find out more information about opportunities to practice your preferred sport in Hungary!

Bilingual Program:

YFU Hungary offers an option for future inbound students to attend an international high school, called Orchidea. Orchidea is a private school - students would participate in a bilingual class (English-Hungarian).

School

You will attend a gimnàzium (academic secondary school). English is taught as the primary second language. Hungarian schools emphasize physical education, morality, and familiarity with the arts. All high schools teach history, Hungarian grammar, literature, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, physical education, art, and music.

Orientations

All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid Decemeber (Spring departures). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for a Fall program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.

*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.

You will also have a four-day arrival orientation in Hungary, in addition to a three-day mid-year orientation in January and a three-day departure orientation at the end of the program. YFU Hungary offers a basic Hungarian language course during the post-arrival orientation. Students will receive advanced language and grammar materials throughout the program. All orientation costs are included in program tuition.

Optional Excursions

Semester program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost.

Prague Visit: This four-day sightseeing trip to Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, includes a guided bus tour and other cultural activities.

Parliament Tour: In the spring, students have the opportunity to visit the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, known as one of the most beautiful works of architecture in the world.

Day Trip to Vienna: Students may have the opportunity to take a one-day long trip to Vienna, the capital of Austria, accompanied by YFU volunteers. The group leaves early in the morning and arrives back at night. The program includes taking a short walking tour, a bus tour, and other cultural activities.

Day Trip to Budapest: In the winter, students may get the chance to spend a day with other exchange students and volunteers in Budapest. Depending on the weather, the program will include ice skating or sightseeing and other winter-specific activities.

Special Interest Programs

Sports Program: The sports program in Hungary allows students to continue practicing a high-level sport or to begin a new sport in an intensive atmosphere. The most common sports practiced in Hungary are horseback riding, water polo, dance, and soccer, but if a student wishes to gain experience in a different sport that is definitely a possibility! Contact info@yfu.org to find out more information about opportunities to practice your preferred sport in Hungary!

Music Program: The Music program in Hungary allows students to continue studying music on a higher level in addition to regular academic studies at a public school. This is an excellent program for students who are serious about their musical studies. In order to qualify for this special program, students must have studied music previously and be serious in working at a high level with instructors. Contact info@yfu.org to find out more information about opportunities to practice your preferred instrument in Hungary!