ALUMNI

As an international alumnus/alumna of Hungary, we are inviting you to join the Alumni Hungary Network community through the newly launched official website of Tempus Public Foundation.

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH PRUM SOVANNKANNIKA 

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH ZHANG XIAOLING

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH GUVANCH ALLAKULIYEV

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDRA POPOVICI

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH PRUM SOVANNKANNIKA

Prum Sovannkannika, Zhang Xialoing, Alexandra Popovici and Guvanch Allakuliyev have graduated successfully in June 2021. They were among our first full-time students who gained entrance to the International Economy and Business master program in English. You can get to know them in our mini-series. First you can read the interview with Prum Sovannkannika.

Why did you choose to study abroad?
Thanks to the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme that offered me the life changing opportunity to experience what it is like studying in Hungary. I chose to study in Hungary because I wanted to meet many kinds of people. Actually, they do not only help you to develop, but also share in-depth knowledge of others.
 

Why did you choose University of Sopron?
I chose the University of Sopron because of the natural environment that actually keeps the beauty of the main campus and the faculty not only beautiful, but also peaceful for students to concentrate on their professional studies.
 

What was the best in those two years that you have spent is Sopron/Hungary?
The best moment of the two years of study was to discover new tourism sites and get to learn new cultures of other people in the most beautiful town in Hungary, in Sopron.
 

Beside of covid, what were the main difficulties that you had to face during these two years?
Beside Covid-19, there were some challenges that a student faced during the study period including the administrative tasks that foreign students required to arrange at the Hungarian National Office, there was also a slight language barrier, and of course the rapidly-change weather.

Did you have favourite course (feel free to be honest)? If yes, which one was that and why?
Intercultural Communication, not only helpful for future profession, but sharing the so-called real experience from different cultures, all the way from Europe-Africa-Asia.
 

Which course or courses was/were the most difficult and why? (Please be honest again)
Difficult course: Information Business System since it’s too technical to understand about technology. (Need to discover more about IT to get to know it well).
 

What are your plans? (Would you or did you return to your home country, or would you stay in Hungary/in Europe? Where would you like to work? Would you like to get PhD degree, etc.)?
My plan is to continue working here in Cambodia. However, the future is uncertain. If there is an opportunity to get back to Hungary, I’m glad too. Of course, I’m looking forward to continuing my PhD Degree as well.

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH ZHANG XIAOLING

The second interview was made with Zhang Xiaoling who came from China and started her studies also in September 2019 and graduated successfully in June 2021.

Why did you choose to study abroad?
For me, I think the whole world is becoming more and more globalized. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding is necessary. I would like to experience the life abroad by myself as much as possible. The European education is also the reason that attracts me
 

Why did you choose University of Sopron?
Due to the location of the university. It was very important for me. However, the study program played influential role in my decision too.
 

What was the best in those two years that you have spent is Sopron/Hungary?
The life with all the friends I made here is totally unforgettable. I enjoyed and learned a lot about the culture, since we all come from different countries. The food, the view and the convenient transportation is quite good for us.
 

Beside of covid, what were the main difficulties that you had to face during these two years?
Because of my grounding which was not totally an economic one, I had to spend more time to gain more knowledge. But I think I could manage it successfully. (The author’s comment: Zhang Xiaoling is a good example for those students who came from a marginal area of economics and yet can successfully manage their studies in International Economy and Business master program and acquire required knowledge to take the state examination with excellent result).
 

Did you have favourite course (feel free to be honest)? If yes, which one was that and why?
Intercultural Communication. We made presentations and videos which gave us opportunities to apply what we learnt in practice. We had fun with this class.
 

Which course or courses was/were the most difficult and why? (Please be honest again)
I think finance is a little bit hard, because there are many professional abbreviations and equations which were somehow a little bit complex for me.
 

What are your plans? (Would you or did you return to your home county, or would you stay in Hungary/in Europe? Where would you like to work? Would you like to get PhD degree, etc.)?
I returned to my country (China) now. My plan is to take job related to culture industry and promote the international cultural exchange of my country. But I will also try to apply for PhD if there’s program related to cultural industry.
 

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH GUVANCH ALLAKULIYEV

The third interview was made with Guvanch Allakuliyev who came from Turkmenistan and started his studies also in September 2019 and graduated successfully in June 2021. 

Why did you choose to study abroad?
I chose to study abroad because I dreamed of studying abroad since my childhood, since I have started to learn English. I love to travel and learn new things as well which helped the decision.
 

Why did you choose University of Sopron?
When I did some research on universities in Hungary, I liked the fact that the predecessor of the University of Sopron was founded a long time ago in 1735 and I also really liked the logo of the university. I liked the name of our faculty, the Alexandre Lamfalussy Faculty of Economics, named after of person who founded euro and also the name of the city and the whole university. Actually the name Sopron fascinated me. Moreover I really like the city itself, that city is very natural there. It’s surrounded with mountains, forests and lakes. A very convenient location for traveling. Last but not least, I liked the beautiful and ancient architecture of the city even if I could see it only in the internet at the time of application.
 

What was the best in those two years that you have spent is Sopron/Hungary?
Everything was the best. Studying with best Professors and especially drinking a coffee with sweets after lectures on the terraces of the cafés  (actually on the streets of Sopron:) ). Travelling through Hungarian cities. Lake Hévíz, Lake Balaton and Budapest were the best. Shopping and travelling by train, eating in restaurants, I really enjoyed them. New acquaintances and conversations with international students was amazing too.
 

Beside of covid, what were the main difficulties that you had to face during these two years?
Leaving my family and start studying in English was the main difficulties for me, but I think I was able to take that hurdle well too.
 

Did you have favourite course (feel free to be honest)? If yes, which one was that and why?
I really liked Analysis of International Economics, Global Governance, and Comparative Economics. Because I thought that all this information will be useful for me in my future career.
 

Which course or courses was/were the most difficult and why? (Please be honest again)
I can say that I had difficulties with the lessons in which I had to do a lot of calculations with formulas, because at first time I thought that I would not use them in the future. Now I think a little bit differently.
 

What are your plans? (Would you or did you return to your home country, or would you stay in Hungary/in Europe? Where would you like to work? Would you like to get PhD degree, etc.)?
At the moment, I am in my home country and trying to solve some problems with grape yard production at my workplace. In the future I am planning to offer some new products and services in my country related to my current field of work. I also would like to obtain PhD degree.

ALUMNI INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDRA POPOVICI

The fourth interview was made with Alexandra Popovici who came from Moldova and started her studies also in September 2019 and graduated successfully in June 2021.

Why did you choose to study abroad?
It opens more opportunities for future employment. By being an exchange student during by Bachelor degree I got inspired from multicultural atmosphere. This overcoming challenges of living in another country and gain a greater understanding of the world based on real experience motivated me to apply for studies in new country.
 

Why did you choose University of Sopron?
First, I choose suitable for me study program which was offered by several Universities. My choice fell on this city due to its location and beautiful reviews. Sopron is extremely safe and cosy city. It has everythink I needed friendly people and developed infrastructure which offers an easy access to big cities.
 

What was the best in those two years that you have spent is Sopron/Hungary?
A lot of amazing things happened due to the fact that we have been extremely lucky to savour first semester of our studies before Covid by fully enjoying all the benefits. I found inspiration in traveling in European Union and around Hungary.
 

Beside of covid, what were the main difficulties that you had to face during these two years?
Overcoming the language barrier with locals. Bordering with Austria also means than majority of Sopron population speak German rather than English. For me it was a great motivation to learn new language. I would like to mention that people have been always extremely friendly and open to help with every think.
 

Did you have favourite course (feel free to be honest)? If yes, which one was that and why?
I adore individual project where we can show creativity and research skills. Innovative approach and cool learning methods were during Intercultural communication and International trade courses.
 

Which course or courses was/were the most difficult and why? (Please, be honest again)
Most challenging for me was financial markets course. It requires preparation, now am sure that I coped with it thanks to the very clear and detailed explanations of the professor and personal involvement.
 

What are your plans? (Would you or did you return to your home county, or would you stay in Hungary/in Europe? Where would you like to work? Would you like to get PhD degree, etc.)?
Currently I am working remotely in my home country and living my dream in Albania. I plan to continue my studies in Luxemburg from next year.