The document provides details about the author's experience living in Budapest, Hungary while teaching English courses at a university. Some key points include: - The author taught 5 classes at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics from February to May. - Facts about Hungary and Budapest - the population has declined to 1.7 million, they have the lowest birthrate in the EU, and most people own their apartments rather than rent. - Hungarians are described as very formal and respectful of tradition. Students must maintain grade books signed by instructors and pass standardized tests to progress. - Living costs are very low - the author received supplies, meals, and could check out books and tapes from

1. Living like a Hungarian in Budapest

2. I arrived in Budapest February 3 rd Classes started Monday Feb. 11 th the semester ended May 16 th I taught 5 classes Communications 101 for students who have passed their intermediate level English exam Advanced English for students who passed the advanced exam 2 classes Cross-Cultural Communications 1 night class in the Language School students who already had their degrees My flat

3. Facts about Budapest and Hungary Hungary has almost 11 million people Budapest used to be 2 million people now 1.7 Lowest birthrate in the European Union

4. Hungary was part of the Austria Hungarian Union from 1867 -1912

5. More Hungarians OWN their “flats” or apartments than any other country in the EU My neighborhood

7. Rick Steves call Hungarians the most formal of all the Europeans They also respect tradition

8. All grades are recorded by hand in a special book owned and cared for by the students. Students must pay a fine if they fail to have an instructor sign their grade book Students face standardized written and oral TESTS in every subject to progress to the next level

9. Older people try to dress well however, college students dress like our students mostly.

10. Perhaps it’s the formality, Hungarians use a lot of words to say simple things

12. Memorials and plaques are everywhere and wreaths appear on anniversaries and holidays. Hungarians of all ages know and respect their history

13. If you taught at BUTE and didn’t have get a bronze bust mounted you failed. WWI Memorial on campus

14. P etrofi nationalist poet on March 16 th Revolution day.

15. Memorial on the Danube for the Jews murdered during the Nazi occupation.

16. Students still talk about the Treaty of Trion in 1920 Hungary lost 71% of it’s territory. They are still discovering live WWII bombs in Budapest Traffic diverted for bomb Bomb found Info Park May 16 th

17. Badminton and tennis were also popular when spring arrived .

19. More sports – Scout climbing plastic beer crates

20. You see more hand tools and less automated labor

21. Wherever I saw a large street crew of four or more there was always one guy on a cell phone.

22. No fear of nuclear accidents

23. Park bench outside the nuclear reactor

24. Average Salaries are Low ------------------------------------------- Physician specialist $1200 per month College faculty $856 per month Teachers $821 per month Nurse $764 per month Office clerk $475 per month Sales clerk $343 per month Most Hungarians pay 50% in taxes Annual salaries in U.S. dollars

25. How do Hungarians cope with a sluggish economy and low salaries?

30. Many Hungarians shop at the PLUS a discount grocery store Everyone brings their own bag otherwise you must buy one Store help is minimal; bag boys and girls are unheard of Shopping carts require a coin deposit returned when you re-stack the cart correctly

31. Discount chains Tesco (British) and Auchen (French) have stores in Budapest.

32. Whether for convenience or from habit, Hungarians seem to prefer shopping for meat and produce at vegetable stands, green grocers and large indoor fresh markets.

33. Few Hungarians own clothes dryers Gas cook stoves don’t have pilot lights. You must light the burners and oven each time you use them.

35. Many streets and public facilities are NOT pristine

36. I salvaged some wooden Ikea coat hangers from this mess. Neighborhood clean-up days???

37. A beautiful botanic garden but

38. Puddles on the greenhouse floors and very rusty radiators

39. Graffiti abounds

40. The recycling bins are few and far between and overflow onto the street on weekends.

41. You won’t find these on U.S. playgrounds. No one worries about minor safety issues (lawsuits aren’t common)

42. When was the last time you saw pony rides in a city park?

43. The homeless are allowed to sleep wherever they please. The subway is a popular choice.

44. Hungarians require much less space for living . Zsuzsa’s apartment is a 3 rd story walk-up. This is her “dacha” or lake cabin.

45. In Hungary buildings are built to last. Stone or brick and mortar with no wood.

46. Hungarian Splurges Flowers!! Fresh vegetables Meat (mostly pork) pastries, candy, chocolate and palinka

47. To leave Hungary I had to do all the paperwork backwards. I had to go to various university offices and collect clearances with the official seals and stamps. My last stop was at the bank where it took over 2 hours NOT to get my account closed.

48. What I miss most is strolling through the many funny little neighborhood parks and discovering little cafes.

52. My fitness workout was a walk up Gellert Hill from the university

53. The view and the chance to feel like a smug local among the tourists were great motivation. My reward was the view and feeling like a smug local laughing at the tourists.

54. Young people that take such pride in their history. . While the fascist were throwing tomatoes at the Mayor the kids were celebrating Revolution Day.

55. My Neighborhood

56. The historic memorials at every turn

57. Would you believe this is Frank Zappa Ter? Big city surprises