Hungarian universities are becoming increasingly international, with a growing number of foreign students choosing to study in the country. A multicultural environment offers numerous opportunities for both academic growth and social life. Below, we explore why you should take advantage of multicultural university life and how to build connections in this diverse setting.
Student Organizations and Mentorship Programs
Various student organizations provide great opportunities for community building and professional development. In these groups, students can collaborate on projects, organize events, and build networks.
- ESN (Erasmus Student Network): supports students in the Erasmus program and organizes community events.
- HEAD (House of European Affairs and Diplomacy): for students interested in international relations and diplomacy.
- ISAC (International Student Advisory Committee): a support organization for international students at ELTE.
- Field-Specific Student Organizations: almost every academic field has student groups where students can meet peers with similar interests.
- Szakkollégiumok (Specialized Academic Colleges): similar to student organizations, but with a stronger academic focus and higher requirements. As the name suggests, students live together in shared spaces.
These groups are excellent for building friendships as well as for professional and academic development.
Dormitories and Student Apartments: The Birthplace of Friendships
Dormitories and student apartments are the best places to make new friends. Everyone finds themselves in a new living situation, making them more open to socializing. Shared kitchens, common areas, and time spent together help strengthen relationships.
Living in a student community means building deeper friendships. In these communities, many students share a piece of their culture. For example their home cooking skills, leading to international cooking nights where participants can discover dishes from different countries. These events provide a great opportunity to build intercultural connections.
At Diáklakás, this is an everyday experience. Our students come from all over the world, forming a truly multicultural community that enjoys spending time together. Cooking together is a big part of this experience. Not only does it help them get to know each other better, but it also allows them to experience each other’s cultures, both literally and figuratively.
Multicultural Debates and Perspective-Shaping
In a diverse university community, students with different backgrounds and ways of thinking can spark engaging discussions. Diverse cultural and political perspectives contribute to the development of critical thinking and broaden students’ horizons.
Sometimes when you read international news, you may find yourself not understanding some foreign countries’ decisions. By having interesting conversations with members of those countries, you’ll have a deeper understanding of their underlying reasons and values.
Students from different countries are generally curious about each other and open to conversation, as many find themselves in the same situation—adapting to a new country where they know only a few people. This makes it easy to start conversations with anyone, anywhere.
Cross-Border, Lifelong Networking
One of the greatest advantages of a multicultural university environment is the ability to build an international network. The friendships and professional connections made during university years can be beneficial in the long run, as you will meet people who will later work in various parts of the world.
- Global Career Opportunities: an international network can help with job offers, internships, or collaborative projects.
- Cultural and Language Benefits: being in a multilingual environment naturally enhances language skills, which can be a significant advantage when looking for a job.
- Joint Startups and Initiatives: students from different countries exchange ideas, leading to successful international collaborations.
By actively participating in student organizations, mentorship programs, and university events, you can easily build a lifelong international network. You never know when these connections will come in handy in the future. But one thing is certain: one day, they will!
Challenges of Multicultural University Life
While a multicultural environment offers many opportunities, not every student takes advantage of it.
A common phenomenon is that students tend to socialize primarily with those from their own nationality or similar cultural backgrounds, making them less open to other cultures.
Think of the most striking example of this—the Eurovision Song Contest. Just take a look at how nations typically vote for other nations. See what we mean?
To overcome this tendency, it is worth actively seeking international connections, for example, by participating in shared events, clubs, or sports programs.
Multicultural university life is an excellent opportunity to make new friends, explore different cultures, and develop critical thinking. Student organizations, dormitory life, and international events all contribute to a richer and more colorful university experience.
Openness and curiosity are key to making the most of this diverse environment and building a lifelong, cross-border network.
