The graduation ceremonies at the end of the 2022/23 academic year at the University of Szeged held between June 23 and July 15. This time, 307 students graduated from the various international programs of the university.
The University of Szeged's graduation ceremonies mark a momentous occasion where students — and often their relatives too — from all corners of the globe gather to celebrate this important milestone. International study programs hold a special place of significance, embodying the importance of diversity, cultural exchange, and global collaboration in higher education. Foreign students, hailing from various countries, bring unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the University of Szeged, enriching the academic environment for everyone involved.
The international study programs foster a vibrant multicultural community, nurturing understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect among individuals from diverse backgrounds. By studying and graduating from the University of Szeged, international students contribute not only to their personal growth but also to the development of an interconnected global society that values inclusivity, intercultural competence, and international cooperation. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to SZTE's commitment to providing a world-class education that transcends borders, preparing graduates to be global citizens equipped to tackle complex global challenges and make a positive impact on the world.
Graduations at the end of the 2022/23 academic year at SZTE
The 2023 summer graduation ceremonies were held at the University of Szeged between June 23 and July 15. This time, a total of 3497 Hungarian and 307 international students got their diplomas. Out of the 12 faculties of SZTE, nine had students graduating from various international programs.
At the end of the 2022/23 academic year, based on the number of graduates, SZTE's medical faculty was the most popular among international students. At the graduation ceremony of the Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical School, held in English, on June 24, 121 foreign graduates received their diplomas. The conference room of the József Attila Education and Information Center was filled with family members, who, in many cases, arrived from the other side of the world to witness the graduation of their loved one.
The formal part of the graduation ceremony follows decades of traditions. After the opening talks, the inauguration, and the traditional oath of the new doctors, fresh graduates and their families celebrated in front of the building with flowers, balloons, photos, and confetti while classmates and their families hugged and congratulated each other.
Other popular faculties of the University of Szeged include the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. At the June 2023 ceremonies, 50 students graduated from the international programs of each of these faculties, most of them in English programs but also in the International Relations master's program in French offered by the Faculty of Law.
Students' thoughts
We asked some of the fresh graduates to share their thoughts about the University of Szeged, student life, and the city itself.
"I looked for quite a few universities, and then there was a lot of good feedback about this university, and a lot of doctors in India knew about it as well, so I ended up coming here," — said Verghese Nish Mary Abraham, a freshly graduated medical student. "It was a good experience. There were difficulties and hardships, and differences in the educational systems, but overall it was good. And now I'm here on my graduation day, so I'm happy."
Thalita, from Brazil, said she chose the University of Szeged because it was supposed to be the best university in Hungary, and after researching the topic, she found out that it is indeed the best.
"Secondly, I chose Szeged because I really like the size of the city and the fact that it is the sun city in Hungary. It was important for me since I come from a tropical country. I also liked the curriculum of the course because it was a mix of economics and international relations provided by the Faculty of Law." After spending two years in the International Relations master's program, she is heading for Budapest, where she got a job recently.
Joseph, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, attended the International Relations program in French offered by the University of Szeged, Faculty of Law. He said he chose SZTE because here, he had the opportunity to continue studying his main subject at a master's level. "I spent two years with my studies in Szeged and really appreciated the city — it is a wonderful city. I also appreciated Hungary because this was the country that allowed me to enter Europe for the first time," — Joseph, who now plans to continue with Ph.D. studies, told us after his graduation.
