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.

In this article, I would like to reflect on the topic of age. Is age really important when applying for scholarships such as the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Program? From my own experience and from observing others, I have noticed that many people limit themselves simply because of their age.

Very often, after reaching a certain point in life, people tell themselves that learning opportunities, scholarships, or student life are “for the young.” They think, “What kind of student can I be now?” and do not even consider such possibilities. Of course, this attitude is partly influenced by the fact that some programs set age limits, often up to 35 years old. While I personally find this unfair, I understand that there may be practical reasons behind such rules.

However, becoming a student again as an adult was one of the happiest experiences of my life. Returning to a university environment, being surrounded by students, and feeling the academic atmosphere once more was deeply rewarding. I truly believe that at a more mature age, we can appreciate education in a different and perhaps deeper way. We notice the quality of teaching, the professionalism of professors, and the efforts universities make to create supportive learning conditions.

Most importantly, I would like to address adults who may be hesitating: no, it is not too late. It is not too late to study again. It is not too late — and not embarrassing — to apply for a scholarship. It is not too late to change your path, retrain, or learn a new profession. In today’s world, the ability to learn quickly and repeatedly throughout life is more important than ever.

And above all, it is never too late to follow your dream.

For this reason, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Program for being open to adults and not only to traditional-age students. At the same time, I hope to inspire others who may be unsure or afraid to take this step. If you are thinking about applying — believe me, it is absolutely worth it.