The Stipendium Hungaricum is a prestigious higher education scholarship, offered by the Hungarian government to high-achieving students with an excellent academic track record. Pázmány Péter Catholic University is one of 30 universities accepting students through the Stipendium Hungaricum program. 

Alina, who is originally from Pakistan, wanted to study abroad after obtaining her bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Quaid-i-Azam University. Her friend had studied in Hungary through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship and could only recommend it to her. She began the application process and was eventually accepted into an MSc program at Pázmány ITK through the Stipendium Hungaricum.  

That was two years ago now, and Alina is in the final semester of her program. Looking back on her first-semester self, she recalls the ups and downs she endured while acclimating to Hungarian academic life. It was her first time living away from family, and she found it hard to settle. She credits the university’s international community for helping her find her footing — particularly Ms Agnes Csimma, the international coordinator. 

“She’s the best,” Alina said. “She helped us a lot, not just me, but all of us. She really helped settle us in, and then slowly, we started making friends”. 

Alina described her time in Hungary as a life-changing experience, despite the initial hurdles:

“I was really scared when I was coming here, but it changed my life”. 

When asked what advice she would give to students considering studying in Hungary, Alina said: “I think if you get that opportunity, you should take it. You shouldn’t let fear overcome you.”