Chinese students build cross-cultural bonds at Hungarian university

At the University of Szeged, on the southern border of Hungary, new students stood together, repeating the same words. The freshman oath marked not just the start of classes but the beginning of a community.

Among them was Wang Luyao, a student from China who has already spent two years in Szeged.

"I love my university, my professors, my teachers," she said. For Wang, the decision to study in Hungary changed her life.

"You should go out of your comfort zone to see how beautiful the world is. To make some international friends, learn things you won’t find in books, learn from life," she said.

She said what excites her most now is knowing that more students from China will follow. This year, 120 students will start studying as part of a new collaborative computer science program between Shaanxi Normal University in Xi'an and the University of Szeged.

"They will be able to earn the diplomas of both universities," said Tamas Bene, director for international affairs. "It is a really good opportunity for the students to have these two diplomas."

A shared community

For the students, the program means more than a qualification. It is also a chance to build friendships, learn new languages, and see the world through each other's eyes.

"Our university is embedded in the city of Szeged located in Csongrad county," said Marta Szel, vice rector. "And this county has very tight connections with Shaanxi province in China. This connection has lasted for decades now, and we have a lot of very tight economic and cultural connections."

The freshman oath underscored that sense of belonging. For many, it was less about rules on paper and more about joining a shared community.

Wang said that diversity is what makes her experience special. 

"It is very good to make international friends here, not only from my country, China, but also from other Asian countries like Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam. My best friend is from Nigeria."

Educators say these exchanges will prepare graduates for a future built on cooperation. This preparation begins in classrooms and is nurtured through shared experiences.

At a welcome party outside the main campus, students from more than 100 countries exchanged music, food, and laughter. 

The scene reflected the lesson of the day: the greatest discoveries are not always in books but in the people standing beside you.