More than 100 students from 10 Hungarian higher education institutions gathered together to celebrate the new chapter in their lives which started in Hungary. About 3500 scholarship awarded students arrived in September – it makes the total number of Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder students in the country to 7000 – but due to limited capacity TPF could meet only a few for a formal reception in Kossuth Klub, Budapest.
Dr. Orsolya Pacsay-Tomassich, State Secretary for International Affairs, Ministry of Human Capacities attended the event and warmly welcomed the students with her kind words. Mr. Péter Tordai, Director of the Tempus Public Foundation told in his speech that TPF is very proud to see the increasing popularity of the programme and encouraged the audience to make the most of the opportunity.
As a tradition by now, a music performance was given at the event by Yuki Ando and Souhei Yamagami from Japan; both students of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. After the fascinating music performances, two Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder, Littieri Lamb from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics and Zoran Marinovic from the Szent István University, shared their first-hand experiences about Hungary.
The Campus Buddy system is built up from distinguished, socially active scholarship holders. Eight Campus Buddies from different countries and universities joined the event where newcomers got the chance to meet them and ask questions about studying and living in Hungary.
After a great lunch, the audience were seperated into three halls, where exciting intercultural trainings were waiting for them. The group sessions offered team-building activities and a chance to improve their skills, play games with fellow students and share their thoughts about culture related topics and issues. The day ended with a short city tour in Central Budapest by visiting the most famous sights on the way.
It was a good day for the students to see that TPF is besides them through their life-changing journey; from their arrival, through their academic years in Hungary until they become members of the Alumni Hungary Network. We wish them good luck with their studies and the best time of their lives in our beautiful country. As Mr. Péter Tordai said, scholarship holder students are the „bridges” between the countries; meanwhile their studies here they experience the Hungarian culture and when they return home, they become the ambassadors of Hungary.