The University of Debrecen traditionally welcomed foreign students arriving for the spring semester with Hungarian flavors and folk dance. This year, the largest groups came from France and Turkey. The international students participating in mobility programs got to know Hungarian gastronomy and folklore, as well as the fellow students who will assist them in adapting to university life.
On the evening of February 18, the Erasmus Student Network Debrecen team and the DEHÖK Foreign Affairs Committee organized the Welcome Dinner to welcome the foreign students. This central event marks the start of the semester for foreign students, offering them a real taste of Hungarian culture and hospitality. Participants had the chance to try delicious Hungarian dishes.
After Péter Gara, the institutional coordinator of the University of Debrecen International Office welcomed the attendees, the lively and rhythmic tunes of folk dance filled the room with authentic Hungarian music.
As the music softened, Réka Makkos, Vice President of the DE Hallgatói Önkormányzat (Student Government) Foreign Affairs Committee for incoming students and President of the Erasmus Student Network Debrecen section, gave a speech.
“I really hope this will be a truly fun semester for all of you,” said the section president. In her speech, she highlighted the creation of a QR code-based treasure hunt game for the foreign students. As part of the Welcome Dinner, the “Meet Your Buddy” event was also held, allowing students to meet their mentors, who will support them throughout the semester.
Stuffed cabbage – one of the proud dishes of Hungarian cuisine – promised new flavors for everyone, whether they chose the traditional meat version or the vegetarian one. As per tradition, the dessert was strudel.
After the welcome dinner, both feet and hearts started to beat in rhythm as the second floor of the Main Building reverberated with the Hungarian folk dance.
“Our goal is to create an Erasmus generation that gets to know each other and remains open-minded. If we do our job well, I believe this can have a great impact on people,” expressed Réka Makkos.
After the event, the students headed to the heart of the city, where the semester-opening welcome party began.
(unideb.hu)
