The Hungarian Dance University once again welcomed its international students with a joint opening event. Held on 15 September, the International Welcome Event served as an opening to the academic year, an information session and a community-building programme for both new and returning students.
We began the autumn semester with around 70 international students, including two exchange students from Taipei who will spend one semester at our University. Our international community is becoming an increasingly important part of life at HDU year by year, with students coming to Budapest from many different countries around the world.
At the opening of the event, Tamás Topolánszky, Director of the Fodor Antal Institute for Choreography and Dance Teacher Training, welcomed the students, while Nóra Abrankó-Rideg, Director of Tenders, gave a brief introduction to the Pannónia mobility opportunities available to them.
During the programme, Nikolett Áder, International Coordinator, welcomed the students and introduced the University staff members who support the international community throughout the academic year. This gave students the opportunity to learn who they can turn to for help with academic and Neptun-related matters, visa and residence permit questions, mobility opportunities, dormitory matters, language learning, career planning and other challenges they may encounter during their studies in Hungary.
The aim was to make it clear from the very beginning of the academic year – especially for newly arrived students – that they are not alone with their questions or difficulties, and that several members of the University staff are available to support them in settling in and throughout their studies.
The official part was followed by a more informal community programme. Students got to know each other through fun activities before forming mixed teams and taking on a series of challenges at different stations. The tasks included quizzes on ballet history and the University, games related to Hungary and the students’ home countries, as well as dance challenges. One of the main aims of the activities was to encourage students from different year groups and countries to connect with people outside their usual circles.
The event was a great success: almost all of our international students joined us for the afternoon, and the friendly team competition quickly brought new and returning students together.
With the International Welcome Event, our aim was not only to start the new academic year together, but also to continue building an international community in which our students can rely on both one another and the University staff alongside their professional development. Further social and cultural programmes for our international students will follow throughout the academic year.
