Bertil Hult: From University Basement to Global Education: The Growth of EF Education First

The international education landscape underwent a major shift when Bertil Hult established EF Education First. What started as a modest venture centered on practical language acquisition developed into a broad global organization spanning language instruction, academic offerings, and international cultural exchange. Through a focus on direct experience and global travel, Hult transformed traditional language instruction into an expansive global operation.

Building an Immersion Empire

Bertil Hult began his career gaining early practical experience in London, working for a ship broker running errands and preparing coffee. During his time in the United Kingdom, he learned English directly through daily living and working, coming to believe that total cultural immersion offered an effective approach to learning a new language. After returning to Sweden and briefly attending Lund University, he decided to turn this practical observation into an enterprise.

In 1965, at twenty-three years old, Hult founded EF Education First from the basement of his university dormitory in Lund. The initial concept was straightforward: organizing language study trips abroad for Swedish high school students traveling to England to learn English. By placing students directly into an English-speaking environment, the organization offered an experiential alternative to standard classroom teaching methods. The concept resonated strongly, creating a solid base for future growth across broader educational sectors.

Global Expansion and Operations

As demand for international learning grew, Hult guided EF through decades of rapid geographic scaling. The enterprise expanded beyond Sweden, moving its operations to Germany in 1971 and later establishing its corporate headquarters in Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1977. Hult led the business as Chief Executive Officer from its inception until 2002, subsequently serving as chairman until 2008 before transitioning to a semi-retired role.

Under his leadership, EF evolved into an international entity operating across dozens of markets. The organization established a network of more than 500 schools and educational programs spanning 53 countries, managing a workforce of over 40,000 individuals. By 2017, the company’s footprint had expanded further to encompass approximately 52,000 employees operating across 116 countries. This vast infrastructure enabled EF to broaden its commercial catalog significantly, adding specialized services such as au pair placements with American families, student travel programs, academic degree programs, and an online learning platform known as EF Englishtown.

Extending Educational Initiatives

Beyond core language courses and study trips, Hult expanded the company’s reach into higher education and global academic projects. EF became closely affiliated with a business school that was renamed Hult International Business School, formerly known as the Arthur D. Little School of Management. The institution reflects Hult’s emphasis on global business education and practical learning environments.

In connection with the business school and supported by the United Nations, Hult established the Hult Prize, a global case competition for business school students offering a one-million-dollar award to encourage innovative entrepreneurial ideas. Additionally, the Global Classroom Foundation was launched to provide targeted support for rebuilding elementary schools in troubled areas worldwide, extending the organization’s educational reach to underserved communities.

Enterprise Legacy and Recognition

Hult’s work in building an international educational organization earned significant professional recognition over the years. In 2006, he was named International Swede of the Year. Later, in 2012, the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce presented him with the Lucia Trade Award, recognizing his contributions to encouraging free trade between Sweden and the United States.

In 2014, the World Entrepreneurship Forum named Hult a Laureate, acknowledging exceptional leaders for their capacity to make a broader impact on society through business innovation. Having built an enterprise that grew from a single student travel concept in Lund into a massive global training network, Hult established a distinct model for international educational exchange and cross-border learning.