My experience at the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Pécs was ever-changing. I arrived straight out of high school, not sure what to expect from university life. The teachers and professors helped me through my courses: I could always count on them to explain a theory a hundred times, or to write a recommendation so that I could keep exploring opportunities like the Pannónia Scholarship Programme, which took me to Madrid, where I could compare my education with that of students from all over the world, and I held my own.
The university didn’t stand still while I found my feet, either. When I first arrived, everyone I met had the same story about their high school: it got renovated and improved the moment they graduated. Here, I got to watch that happen in real time. Nearly every semester has brought something new and genuinely better, whether that’s a refreshed cafeteria, better materials for a notoriously tricky subject, or a garden where you can finally sit without getting rained on.
I believe a university can only give you what you’re willing to take from it. I chose to study hard, build real relationships with my professors, take on an additional academic programme alongside my degree, and go abroad, and the university gave me a great deal in return. I’ll admit I didn’t make the most of the social side, but the options are there. Student societies cover every taste, from the sorority and fraternity experience to sports and academic societies, and if nothing fits, you can always start your own club with your best friends. I’ve seen it happen.
The material is challenging but not unmanageable, the teachers genuinely want students to succeed, and the community is diverse, with many nationalities under one roof. Ultimately, it’s a place that rewards the effort you bring to it.