A story by Nina Begesh, a communications and administration professional and a holder of the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship. Nina is of Hungarian origin on her father’s side and she has been living in Hungary since 2023. She strongly identifies with Hungarian culture, traditions, and values, and supports the mission of Hungarian communities across borders to preserve cultural identity and build meaningful connections within the global Hungarian network.

Participating in cultural events organized by the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship I met a lot of interesting people. Among many students from different countries, the story of one girl stood out for its natural connection between education and heritage. Her name was Karal and she was a second-year medical student at Semmelweis University.  

Although she grew up abroad, Hungary has always been part of her family background, and she had visited the country several times before starting her studies.

When choosing where to study medicine, Hungary felt like the right place. It was not only a familiar environment, but also an academic decision. Hungarian medical education has a strong reputation in Europe, and she wanted to receive high-quality training in order to become a skilled physician.

She learned about the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship through the Hungarian community abroad and decided to apply. Today, she says it was the right choice.

According to her, student life in Budapest offers everything one could hope for well-equipped libraries, an international academic environment, and many social events for students. The medical program is taught in English, which makes it accessible for international students, while living in Budapest gives an additional cultural experience.

She has already participated in several Diaspora Scholarship events, including the welcome event, a Diaspora weekend, and a visit to the open-air museum with a Christmas dinner. For her, these programs are not only enjoyable but also meaningful, as they create space to connect with Hungarian traditions and meet other scholarship holders.

Her story shows that for many students, studying in Hungary is not only about academic goals, but also about strengthening a personal connection to heritage and becoming part of a wider community.

by Nina Begesh