The Value of International Study Experience on the Labour Market the Case of Hungary

Abstract

This article reports on the findings of a 1996 research project undertaken by an international team in Hungary. The project aimed to identify and describe the various types of impact that a study period abroad (funded by the EU Tempus programme) has on individual Hungarian students, from the point of view of the students themselves, their home institutions, and their subsequent employers. Results show that former Tempus students, who can be classified as the intellectual elite, do obtain various clearly identifiable benefits from the study period spent abroad. These benefits can be identified as improved language and communication skills, enhanced knowledge of the host country, and a more flexible and open attitude. The Hungarian institutions also see these effects on students; they consider that these students may have some impact on Hungarian education reform, but judge the range of impact to be limited. Hungarian employers appreciate the enhanced skills, knowledge, and attitude of the former Tempus students and explicitly take these into account at recruitment and at selection for further internal promotion, e.g., for management training programmes. It was also found, however, that information on the opportunities offered by the Tempus programme does not reach many organisations in business and industry. In order to improve communication between Tempus alumni and business and industry, it is necessary to strengthen the role of existing organisations such as the Hungarian Round Table of Industrialists, and to develop new channels of communication between (prospective) graduates and employers. For better dissemination of the experiences of former Tempus students within the institutions, it is recommended that specific procedures be established in cooperation with existing structures such as student associations, particularly in regard to teaching methods, in order to involve these students more closely in the education process at home. The role of the alumni network of the Tempus Students' Circle should be strengthened. The procedures for recognition of study periods abroad should be improved, if possible through the introduction of a credit system which should be compatible with the European Credit Transfer System(ECTS) used in Socrates/Erasmus.