As the spring semester kicks off, the University of Szeged is excited to welcome a new wave of international talent. A total of 62 students from 12 countries and 31 cities – representing 35 universities – have arrived in Szeged with the support of the ERASMUS+ Scholarship Program. They will be embarking on an academic adventure across 10 different faculties. To help ease their transition, the university’s Directorate for International Affairs and Public Relations hosted an orientation event, offering essential support and resources to ensure these students start their studies in Szeged with confidence.
The University of Szeged, home to around 25,000 students, stands out as one of Hungary’s most prestigious and internationally recognized higher education institutions. Its reputation for excellence continues to attract a diverse range of foreign students and teaching staff. In September 2024, the university welcomed an additional 1,200 international students from various countries, bringing the total number of international students to nearly 5,000, representing 130 countries. These students now make up about 20% of the total student community at the university.
In the second week of February 2025, a select group of driven students, all enrolled in the ERASMUS+ scholarship program, joined the University of Szeged. Arriving at the university from 35 universities across 31 cities in 12 countries, they will have the opportunity to attend 10 different faculties during the spring semester. The majority of these students come from Turkey and France, with many advancing their studies at the esteemed Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School of the University of Szeged.
Photo Gallery featuring images by Ádám Kovács-Jerney
To help the new students start the semester off smoothly, the staff of the Directorate for International Affairs and Public Relations at the University of Szeged organized an orientation day, with Director Dr. Tamás Bene warmly welcoming the students.
Dr. Tamás Bene, Director of International Affairs and Public Relations at the University of Szeged, welcomes international students in the ceremonial hall of the University’s main building.
Photo by Ádám Kovács-Jerney
In his welcome address, Dr. Tamás Bene highlighted the university’s rich history and international reputation. “You’ve made an excellent choice! Welcome to Hungary’s top university!” Dr. Bene stated. “Our institution is proud to be connected to three Nobel laureates: Albert Szent-Györgyi, Katalin Karikó, and Gérard Mourou. The University of Szeged also consistently ranks among the best globally. Moreover, with over 20% of our 25,000 students coming from abroad, you are joining a vibrant, culturally diverse, welcoming, and inclusive academic community,” Dr. Bene pointed out.
“Alongside receiving a top-notch education and gaining valuable experiences, your time here offers a wonderful opportunity to forge lasting friendships,” Dr. Tamás Bene emphasized. “Having been to several universities around the world, I can confidently say that one of our greatest strengths lies in our unique setting. The university is not isolated on a separate campus but seamlessly integrates into the vibrant fabric of the city, making the city itself part of the campus. You will discover a fantastic community here, so make the most of your time and spread the word about our renowned university,” Dr. Tamás Bene remarked.
As part of the orientation event, students had the chance to explore the city and get familiar with the University of Szeged, while the Erasmus Students Network (ESN) introduced its local mentoring network. In addition to receiving useful information and support, students also had the opportunity to meet with Erasmus coordinators, who provided essential insights regarding their respective faculties and shared important information to help the newcomers succeed during their semester at the university.
Robin Evan and Florian Guendouz have come to the University of Szeged from France, while Daniils Aleksejevs is from Latvia. Robin is joining the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Florian will be studying at the Faculty of Science and Informatics, and Daniils will be attending the Faculty of Agriculture.
Explaining their motivations, the students shared: “We wanted a truly unique experience, and Hungary seemed like an exciting place to explore, especially being so far from France. While many of our peers choose destinations like England or Spain, we were drawn to something more distant.”
The students’ first impressions of Szeged have been remarkably positive: “It’s a wonderfully sunny city, which we really appreciate, as it tends to rain quite a bit in France at this time of year. The city is stunning, and its proximity to various neighboring countries offers great travel opportunities. The university buildings are modern and inviting, and everyone has been exceptionally helpful, creating a welcoming and internationally connected environment. We’re eager to see what our classes and coursework will be like, but so far, everything looks very promising.”
Anita Bressan has come to the University of Szeged from Italy to study foreign languages at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She shared her enthusiasm for the experience ahead: “I expect the courses to be engaging and enriching, and I look forward to forming friendships with people from all over Europe. I’m truly delighted to be here.”
Anita Bressan, who has come from Italy, is studying foreign languages at the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Photo by Ádám Kovács-Jerney
Liouliaki Garyfalia, who has come from Greece, is spending the semester at the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Science and Informatics. “I came here to study and develop new skills. I want to make the most of my time, meet new people, and explore a new country and city. Szeged may be small, but it truly lives up to its reputation as the city of sunshine, and so far, it feels very welcoming. I admire the stunning architecture and appreciate the abundance of parks, playgrounds, and bicycles throughout the city – these features add to its charm.”
“The Economics program is structured to be highly cohesive, with all international affairs, including student-related matters, centralized under the faculty’s supervision. Based on our experience, it is essential for international students to have a dedicated point of contact – from initial email communication to in-person meetings. In addition, the orientation day at the university is especially valuable, as it helps students from different faculties familiarize themselves with the University of Szeged as a whole, fostering a sense of community. As coordinators, our goal is to help students feel more at home and well-prepared as they begin their academic journey in Szeged,” said Dr. Ildikó Pusztai-Varga, Director of International Affairs at the University of Szeged’s Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
On the second day of the international orientation event, students visited the Study and Information Center (TIK), where they explored the university library and learned about the various student services available to them. They also completed the registration process for their access cards and familiarized themselves with the online administrative platforms of the Student Services Office.
Original Hungarian text by Dajana Kőszegi and Ferenc Lévai
Photos by Ádám Kovács-Jerney
