Over 150 new degree-seeking and exchange students embarked on a new life in Budapest and at the Faculty of Economics this autumn.
During the first week of September, the Faculty of Economics of Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE GTK) and its International Office welcomed its new students with a series of orientation and enrolment events. Nearly 70 first-year self-financed and Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship students from around 35 countries joined the faculty this semester to earn a bachelor’s degree on the two English degree programmes offered by the faculty (the 8-semester International Business Economics and the 7-semester Finance and Accounting programmes). Students from, for instance, Turkey, Mongolia, Egypt, Vietnam, Jordan, North Macedonia, and some other countries are now joining their fellow countrymen on these programmes, while students from Malaysia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Brazil, and Myanmar are the first from their counties to choose ELTE GTK. In their classes, they will study together with both Hungarian students and over 100 Erasmus and guest students from various European universities, Japan, and Korea. We also welcomed a small number of exchange students whose host faculty is not ELTE GTK but who are studying some courses offered by our faculty this semester.
The Faculty of Economics is pleased to see that international interest in our faculty continues to grow and students from an ever-increasing number of countries and continents are attracted by our high-quality programmes, our extensive and continuous student support, and the exciting international and extra-curricular opportunities offered by ELTE GTK. These attributes, paired with the international orientation and academic reputation of Eötvös Loránd University, ensure that our students receive a good education here and make lasting professional and personal relationships. The fact that Budapest is a safe, affordable, and truly picturesque city located in the very heart of Europe, may be the cherry on these students’ cake.
The orientation and enrolment week was jampacked with tasks and information. The first two days, devoted to enrolment and administrative matters, were followed by some ice-breaking and team-building games on Wednesday, which helped the newcomers get to know one another. This merry exercise then gave way to various important presentations on the faculty, its academic requirements, and the skills all students need to succeed in an English-language university environment. We were particularly proud to have Professor Gábor Zemplén at the event, who as GTK’s previous Vice-Dean for International Affairs and now ELTE’s new Vice-Rector for International Affairs, welcomed our new undergraduates and visiting students. Thursday offered university-level events including the official Opening Ceremony for International Students, the info market, and even a Hungarian Crash Course, and a Hungaricum picnic. The week was rounded off by some more presentations on Friday. The first session concentrated on the essential administrative tasks for new international students (e.g., obtaining a residence permit and a student card, opening a bank account, taking care of their health insurance, etc.), while the last session was dedicated to the introduction of the various student organisations (the Student Union, ISAC, and ESN), their wide-ranging support and fun activities. The new students were welcomed by GTK’s mentors and buddies, who then took them not only on the obligatory campus tour but also on a city walk combined with some games.
(The slides and the video recordings of the various presentations are accessible to the new students, with their Neptun code, on the Moodle page dedicated to international students.)
GTK’s International Office wishes all new students success in their studies and an unforgettable time in Budapest and Hungary.
