At the Christmas gala of the Pannonia Scholarship Program, held in December 2025 at the Eiffel Workshop House in Budapest, the Faces of the program for 2026 were announced. Among the female recipients, the title was awarded to Gréta Hódi from Szeged, a fifth-year student at the Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School of the University of Szeged. Among the male recipients, Dominik Palácsik, a student of the Budapest University of Economics and Business, was selected to represent the Pannonia community. The gala event brought together former Pannonia scholarship holders for an evening of celebration and networking.
In the following interview, Gréta Hódi shares her experiences of studying abroad and reflects on what the role of Pannonia Scholarship ambassador means to her.
Gréta Hódi with fellow student Botond Ignácz at Amochostos General Hospital. Photo courtesy of Gréta Hódi
“I was in Cyprus from January until mid-June 2025, studying at the medical faculty of the European University Cyprus,” Gréta Hódi began her account. “I completed the second semester of my fourth year there, and the training was extremely practice-oriented. Over the course of the semester, we rotated through a wide range of hospital departments.”
She added that life outside the classroom proved just as formative. “Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate, with great weather throughout the term, which we made the most of by spending a lot of time outdoors. People there are incredibly open and relaxed, with a real ‘things will work out somehow’ attitude. I think some of that mindset rubbed off on us as well.”
Gréta stayed in accommodation reserved for international mobility students, sharing a four-bedroom apartment where everyone had their own space. “It was a distinctly international environment,” she recalled. “We lived together with students from all over Europe – including France, Finland, and Lithuania. The program itself was taught in English, but since I also speak French, I was thrilled to realize just how much I could follow from my French classmates’ rapid-fire conversations.”
Photo: István Sahin-Tóth
During the second semester of the 2024–2025 academic year, five Hungarian students traveled to Cyprus on a Pannonia Scholarship, two of them from the medical faculty of the University of Szeged. For Gréta, the timing of the mobility period could hardly have been better. Taking part in the program as a fourth-year medical student felt like a rare opportunity to pause and breathe a little within the otherwise demanding framework of medical training in Szeged.
Some of Gréta’s exams had to be carried over to the following year, as although the core of medical education is largely the same everywhere, the scheduling of clinical subjects can differ from one country to another. Coordinating which courses could be taken in Cyprus and recognized at home therefore required careful planning. Gréta nevertheless looks back on the process filled with genuine gratitude. She felt that the departments in Szeged were consistently supportive, helping wherever possible to ensure that the mobility period could run smoothly – a level of professional trust and flexibility that made the experience all the more rewarding.
Gréta Hódi during a hike in the mountains of Cyprus, enjoying a panoramic view of much of the island. Photo courtesy of Gréta Hódi
Dermatology has long been one of Gréta’s preferred fields, and she increasingly feels drawn in that direction – although she has not yet made a final decision regarding her future specialization. Advice from more experienced physicians has reinforced this approach: remaining open for as long as possible when choosing a specialization. With extensive clinical placements awaiting her in her sixth year, she is aware that new experiences and perspectives may still shape her path, and she remains open to the possibility that her current plans could evolve.
Asked what motivated her to apply for the role of Face of the Pannonia Scholarship Program, Gréta first pointed to the impact of her time in Cyprus. “I had such an enriching experience there that I felt compelled to apply,” she said. “Representing the program and sharing why it is worth taking part really motivates me.”
Gréta believes that the opportunities offered by the Pannonia Scholarship are not yet widely recognized among university students. “While I was in Cyprus, I created a lot of content for TikTok, as I’ve always enjoyed using my social media platforms,” she explained. “Of course, I’m now working with a slightly different type of content than before, but I’m gradually getting the hang of it – and I find the challenge truly exciting.”
Looking ahead, Gréta – who gave her first interview as a Face of the Pannonia Scholarship Program to the University of Szeged – expects her responsibilities to extend beyond social media to include media appearances and participation in a range of public and professional events.
Photo: István Sahin-Tóth
“We’re actually heading to an Alumni Club discussion tomorrow,” Gréta shared. “We’ll be talking with well-known Hungarian athletes such as Boglárka Kapás and Gergely Kiss about how they experienced periods spent abroad at different stages of their careers.” This is all part of a community-building initiative that brings together future Pannonia scholarship holders who have already been selected, along with students who have returned from their mobility periods.
Beyond her academic commitments, Gréta Hódi leads an active and balanced lifestyle. In recent months, running has become her preferred form of exercise, although she also enjoys spending time at the gym. When she slows down, she likes to unwind in the kitchen, experimenting with cooking and baking. After successfully completing the exam period, she and her partner recently spent several days trying out new recipes together. She also values time with family and friends – and is more than happy to devote plenty of attention to her two cats.
Ayia Napa – one of the many breathtaking sights Gréta Hódi saw during her six months abroad. Photo courtesy of Gréta Hódi
For Gréta, the true value of the Pannonia Scholarship Program lies in its lasting impact. “It’s not only the semester abroad that matters,” she reflected. “The program continues to connect people even after you return home, through alumni events where former scholarship holders can meet, exchange experiences, and support one another. Thanks to Pannonia, I’ve already built connections with students from across Hungary and from a wide range of disciplines.”
Gréta also has a clear message for anyone hesitating to apply because of language concerns. “That really shouldn’t hold anyone back,” she said with conviction. “People abroad are incredibly kind and patient, and at the beginning everyone struggles with communication in much the same way.” Encouraging students to take the leap, she wholeheartedly recommends the Pannonia Scholarship Program to all students of the University of Szeged.
Original Hungarian article by Imre Vida-Szűcs
Photo: István Sahin-Tóth
