Former television host Eszter Valkó and her family relocated from Hungary to the Netherlands eight years ago due to her husband’s new job offer, before eventually settling in Switzerland, according to an interview with Story magazine. Today, the family lives in a picturesque alpine village where their seven-year-old son, Simon, recently finished first grade.
Swiss School System vs. Hungarian Education
According to Valkó’s statements in Story magazine, she and her son are entirely satisfied with the Swiss educational framework. Unlike the pressure often reported in traditional school environments, the workload in their Swiss district is notably measured. Students received homework from only two subjects—German and mathematics—which were assigned on Mondays and due by Fridays, alongside half-day classes ending at 11:30 AM every Wednesday.
Valkó highlighted the unique end-of-year evaluation process in the interview. Rather than a traditional one-way teacher assessment, parents and students attend meetings where the child first explains how they felt about each specific subject before the teacher offers feedback, creating what the former host describes as a significantly friendlier atmosphere than education systems in Hungary.
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Cultural Differences in Parenting Styles
Life in the Alps has also brought distinct cultural observations for the family. According to Valkó’s Story magazine interview, local mothers approach child-rearing with a different level of outward casualness compared to what she experienced in Hungary or other southern nations.
As Valkó noted to the magazine regarding local parenting norms, while Swiss mothers certainly love their children, the emotional bond and daily intensity of worry appear demonstrably less tight-knit than the protective vigilance common among Hungarian parents.
Career Plans and Relocation Outlook
Looking toward the future, Valkó stated she recognizes that full-time motherhood is a finite profession. As Simon grows increasingly independent, she plans to re-enter the workforce and pursue creative professional avenues, though she admits she misses the professional hustle of her past media career.
Despite missing certain aspects of her former fast-paced life, permanent relocation is currently off the table for the family. According to the interview, her husband Peter holds a stable job, and their son Simon requires stability. While Valkó acknowledges that Switzerland is not without its challenges and does not expect to spend her retirement years there—noting that nowhere feels quite as much like home as one’s birthplace—the family remains firmly rooted in their alpine home for the foreseeable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Eszter Valkó leave Hungary?
According to Story magazine, Valkó and her family left Hungary eight years ago due to her husband’s new employment opportunity, initially moving to the Netherlands before settling in Switzerland.
How does the Swiss school system work for her son?
Her seven-year-old son Simon completed first grade in a system that assigns homework in only two subjects (German and math) over the course of the week, features half-days on Wednesdays, and utilizes student-led end-of-year evaluations.
Are there plans for the family to move back to Hungary?
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