A Warm Welcome in Szeged: Orientation Days for New International Students
A Warm Welcome in Szeged: Orientation Days for New International Students
2026. September 14.
4 perc
More than 1,500 international students began their academic journey at the University of Szeged with four action-packed days of discovery, connection, and practical guidance. From information sessions and cultural programs to team-building activities, a library tour, and even a tram party, Orientation Days gave newcomers an engaging introduction to university life in Szeged. Organized by the Directorate for International Affairs and Public Relations from September 1 to 4, the program helped students navigate their new environment, meet new people, and begin exploring both the University and the city they will now call home.
More than 1,500 new international students have arrived in Szeged for the 2026/2027 academic year, bringing new energy, cultures, and perspectives to the University’s growing global community. For students arriving from around the world, the first days in Szeged mark much more than the beginning of their studies: they are also a first encounter with a new city, a new culture, and a new way of life. To make that transition smoother and help newcomers feel at home from the start, SZTE’s Directorate for International Affairs and Public Relations welcomed them with a four-day Orientation Days program.
A total of 15 senior international students were actively involved throughout the event, assisting the new arrivals in every way and helping ensure a welcoming and smooth orientation experience.
Watch the highlights from Orientation Days here:
Starting strong: Practical guidance for life in Szeged
Orientation Days began with the essentials. After registration, students took part in a series of sessions designed to help them navigate their first days in Hungary. They received practical guidance on key procedures involving the police and immigration authorities, while the Bridging Cultures program helped prepare them for studying and living in a multicultural academic environment.
The second day shifted the focus to the support available across the University. Representatives from various SZTE service units introduced the resources students can rely on throughout their studies, followed by a session outlining the key steps and requirements of enrollment.
Settling into a new country, however, involves more than paperwork. Accordingly, Orientation Days also helped students become familiar with the cultural norms and customs they may encounter in Hungary. Through engaging activities such as the Kahoot Quiz and Life Hacks and Fun Facts, the Directorate for International Affairs and Public Relations highlighted cultural differences and the unwritten rules that can shape everyday life – from attitudes toward punctuality and university life to everyday habits and social conventions.
From team-building to city adventures
Once the practicalities were covered, Orientation Days shifted the focus to connection, shared experiences, and discovering Szeged and the surrounding region together. At Ópusztaszer, a historic destination near Szeged, students traded presentations for team-building games and activities, giving newcomers from different countries the chance to get to know one another before the academic year began. According to student feedback, the program quickly became one of the highlights of Orientation Days.
Photos from Orientation Days are available here.
The third day brought the program back to Szeged. Students explored the University of Szeged’s József Attila Study and Information Center on a guided library tour before heading into the city for a treasure hunt. Later, students gathered in Dugonics Square, in front of the University’s main building, for the SZTE Start Scholarship award ceremony. Twelve international students received a one-time, merit-based scholarship of EUR 900 in the presence of University leaders.
The celebrations continued with the new international students taking the freshmen’s oath, followed by a freshmen’s party to round off the day.
A new Orientation Days highlight: Szeged tram party
One of this year’s new additions took new international students beyond the campus and onto the streets of Szeged. With the support of the city’s public transport company, SZKT, a special tram party gave students another opportunity to relax, connect, and experience the city together in a memorable setting.
Orientation Days came to a close on September 4 with the Opening Ceremony of the Academic Year, marking the official beginning of the new academic year for the University’s newest international students.
Connecting students before arrival
Orientation Days were also accessible to students who had not yet arrived in Szeged. The opening session and key practical briefings – including presentations by the police and Hungary’s immigration authority – were streamed on YouTube, allowing students to access essential information wherever they were.
More than a practical introduction to university life, Orientation Days gave new international students an early sense of connection, community, and belonging. From their first information sessions and cultural insights to team-building activities, city exploration, and shared celebrations, the four-day program helped them take their first steps into life at the University of Szeged – and into a new academic year filled with opportunities, experiences, and connections yet to come.
