Hostel Life : The Pros And Cons
This list includes disadvantages as well as advantages, but the overall experience is incredible and far outweighs the cons that may occur from time to time.
Pros
The top point of my job is getting to meet people of different nationalities, different walks of life, different ages, and different interests. As a receptionist you also tour guide, friend, party leader and a shoulder to cry on when drunk – in such a closed environment it’s easy to make friends for life in a week!
Cons
The low point of meeting an amazing number of new people is the fact that they are travellers… who at some point will leave to experience another amazing city around the globe. As the staff, you often want to go with them and continue the fun!
Pro: Flexible Work Hours
Most graduates I know are working a 9-5 in a ‘proper ‘job – exactly where I probably should be right now. Instead, I work a mix of day and night shifts, with plenty of time off to party and experience Budapest! Night shifts come no more than three times a week so most other nights for me always feel like a Friday! And any day shift brings the opportunity to meet new people and socialise within the hostel.
A year or so ago I was working multiple jobs and studying hard so that I could begin graduate life in a proper job with a good salary. Right now I have the luxury of free accommodation and very little else! Whilst some nights out are very cheap in Hungary, I am still struggling to balance my budget even after three months of practice… and there is very little room to start saving for a future. Let’s just say I’m a long way behind my friends when it comes to owning my own place or a nice car.
Pro: A Family Environment
Living and working with another long-stay staff day in day out creates a true family environment. Our staff includes Australians, Americans, Dutch, Swedish, German, and English… an eclectic mix who all blend in to become your brothers, sisters, mums, dads and every other member of the familial support system we’ve all left behind at home. We get each other through to the best and the worst of times on a daily basis.
Con: The Unhealthy Lifestyle
Unfortunately, whilst elsewhere in January people around the globe make resolutions to exercise and eat well, I’ve resigned myself to doing the best I can and leaving the rest to chance. I work in a party hostel so the best I can do to reduce calorie intake during a night out is the switch to vodka and tonic instead of beer. Before here I would do yoga every day in my room but try rolling out a mat in a cramped dormitory and not feeling ridiculous! Gym memberships are far too high on a hostel staff’s budget and yet dragging your hungover ass out of bed to run along the Danube always seems a bit too much effort! Add to the effort of trying to find the healthy foods you eat at home in a Hungarian food store… a healthy hostel lifestyle is a job in itself!
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