Erasmus students’ introductions

As Egyetemünk went through some radical changes in the last few months, the editors of the newspaper wanted something new that had never been seen before. That is why we visited some of the Erasmus students and asked them to introduce themselves to our readers. We hope that you will like these and support the English pages in the future.

Valerie Zheng (France)

What do you study in your home country?
I’m a 3rd-year student in Economics and Finance.

Why did you choose Hungary?
Actually, Veszprém was not my first choice, it was Bratislava. Hungary came just after it. All my choices were located in Eastern Europe, which is an area that interests me a lot regarding the culture and also the living standard which is quite low.

What are your impressions of Hungary?
It is a cheap country but an excellent place to travel all over Eastern Europe.

What do you think about Hungarian people? Do you get enough help from them?
They are very friendly, but not a lot of them can speak English (at least in Veszprém).

Is there anything that you miss in Hungary?
It is quite difficult to find the food I’m used to in France.

What do you do in your spare time?
Travel abroad and have fun with the other Erasmus students.

What about the University of Pannonia?
Some teachers are good, some others are not but it’s like everywhere in the world.

Are your subjects and their requirements similar here and in your university?
Most of my classes are connected to management so it’s quite different from what I study at my home university. Regarding those which are related to Economics or Finance, it depends. For example, I have already studied during my 1st or 2nd years some of what we are doing this semester for Macroeconomics, but for Corporate Finance II it’s the opposite, I do not understand anything.

What do you like/not like about your current study programme?
I’d like to have more classes linked to my studies but it’s my fault.

Do you get enough help from the teachers?
Yes I do. They are very kind and helpful.

Any advice for new Erasmus students?
Travel abroad during your stay!

Maria Malmgren (Finland)

What do you study in your home country?
Tourism, hospitality management and experience design

Why did you choose Hungary?
Our school’s Erasmus options are extremely limited and Hungary looked like the best out of what was left.

What are your impressions of Hungary?
Many things (buildings/architecture) look like they come straight from the Soviet era and some aspects (trams, metros, buses) are stuck at that level. In its own way it’s beautiful.

What do you think about Hungarian people? Do you get enough help from them?
It seems like there are two kinds of people. One speaks good English and wants to help you in every way, and the other looks down on you if they do not speak English and verbally attack for no reason.

Is there anything that you miss in Hungary?
Good healthcare, medicine that actually works, vegetables, good customer service.

What do you do in your spare time?
Have fun with other Erasmus students in several different ways.

What about the University of Pannonia?
They apparently teach this really funky English to everyone. Pronunciation might be technically correct but over-exaggerated which makes it sound wrong.

Are your subjects and their requirements similar here and in your university?
I do not know exactly what the requirements are until I’ve done my final works. Subjects are different here. They are simpler and more based on practice with a lot of theoretical aspects to them.

What do you like/not like about your current study programme?
I like Alan Clarke’s lessons mainly because that is the English level I’m used to (not in my university but in life generally). His lessons are also more at ease than any other I’ve ever had.
Hmm… I don’t think there is a single course I dislike here in Hungary. I feel fortunate enough that I have teachers who speak rather good English (compared to my own school, where they do not speak that well).

Do you get enough help from the teachers?
I feel very supported by the teachers. I cannot remember when I last had this much support from any teacher ever before.

Any advice for new Erasmus students?
Enjoy every minute, make friends, learn the swear words so you know how to insult people back when they are being rude.

 Noora Oertel (Finland)

What do you study in your home country?
Cultural Studies (Cultural Anthropology and Literature)

Why did you choose Hungary?
I´m interested in the culture of Hungary and the history of it.

What are your impressions of Hungary?
Hungary is a beautiful and interesting country. The people are ordinary and they have their own lifestyle.

What do you think about Hungarian people? Do you get enough help from them?
I have contradictory feelings about Hungarian people. On one hand the Hungarian people are very friendly and thoughtful. They are always ready to help, even though their English skills are not always the best ones. If they notice that someone is lost they offer their help, without asking. On the other hand, some people are impolite towards foreigners, if they don´t understand immediately what Hungarian people are telling them. After all I have had more positive than negative experiences with Hungarian people. They are themselves and they are not pretending to be something else.

Is there anything that you miss in Hungary?
I miss the finnish sauna and the fresh water.

What do you do in your spare time?
I have joined the folkdance group and the city choir. I also do exercise, like for example running and I hang out with my friends. During the weekends I travel to neighbouring cities, -villages-, and countries with other exchange students. I also have time for reading and resting.

What about the University of Pannonia?
In my opinion the quality of the lectures is good, but the requirements for the essays, exams and presentations should include more analysis and less learning by heart. Studies could also encourage more reading on theory.

Are your subjects and their requirements similar here and in your university?
A good thing, compared to my own university in Finland, is that in Hungary the number of lectures is much higher and the quality of interactive learning is better in Hungary than in Finland, where I have to learn a lot of things only from books. The focus on analysing culture and literature is more developed in my own university.

What do you like/not like about your current study programme?
As I argued before, in my opinion, the studies should concentrate more on analysing and reflecting the knowledge than on only summarizing it. I like the diverse interaction between teachers and students.

Do you get enough help from the teachers?
Yes, I do.

Any advice for new Erasmus students?
The beginning of the studies can be quite confusing, because the organization and the administration might not work as fluently as you wish. In that case, just ask your fellow students, teachers and mentors for help and be patient. After all, everything is going to sort itself out without stress.