Hungary

In 1986 I led a party of students to Hungary. The College had established a exchange programme in 1985 with a similar college in southern Hungary in the city of Pecs. Hungary was still part of the Soviet Union and controlled by the communist party. Stephen Owen (my good friend and mentor) had set up the relationship and each year a groupp of students would travel to Hungary and in return receive a similar group from Hungary. The prgramme was loosely focussed on environment, social and cultural life.

Janos Szasz, a bright, passionate, environmentalist architect was the main contact and we became good friends.

In 1988 I convinced the College to give me 3 months paid leave to take my family and go and work at the college in Pecs. In my old Citreon car, we took 3 days to drive to Pecs. We stayed in a mini apartment within the students hostel. Amy went to the local school, and Richard and Alex to the playgroup.

I gave lessons about the British planning system to college students, and I taught English language at the large secondary school in Pecs newtown. Whilst Jan enjoyed the hospitality of Gabby Szasz, Janos’s wife and their 3 children.

It was springtime in Pecs, lots of sunshine, picnics and ice cream, and a privilege to have such a wonderful social and cultural opportunity. Jan made lasting friendship with the Szasz family which continues to this day.

To be continued………

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