A story to tell: Launching the first inter-national welcome weekend at Â鶹´«Ă˝
Â鶹´«Ă˝ (ELTE) hosted its first-ever "Welcome Weekend 2025", from 3–5 October in Zamárdi, at the Gyermek- Ă©s IfjĂşsági Tábor on the shores of Lake Balaton. The three-day event brought together both Hungarian and international students (full-time first-year and Erasmus exchange students), marking a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to fostering intercultural understanding and community among its diverse student body.
The idea of creating an international freshmen camp first emerged through collaboration between the Student Union of ELTE (EHĂ–K) and the International Student Advisory Committee (ISAC). Their shared vision was to design an experience that would help new students integrate into university life from the very beginning of their studies. This year, that vision came to life under the patronage of the newly established International Student Integration Knowledge Centre, which organised the initiative of a Welcome Weekend, with the assistance of ISAC and EHĂ–K to ensure an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
The entire weekend unfolded under a creative storyline inspired by the history of Hungary. Students received an invitation encouraging them to explore the country’s traditions while sharing elements of their own cultures. In this immersive experience, participants formed traveling parties and set out to explore the land, uncovering the treasures of Hungarian culture along the way.
The scavenger hunt was the highlight of the weekend, consisting of stations designed to represent key aspects of Hungarian culture. Through these challenges, participants not only learned about Hungarian traditions but also discovered similarities between their own cultures and those of the Hungarians.
Beyond the games, the Welcome Weekend was about connections. Students got the chance to know each other through fun Hungary-themed questions, and an evenings by the camp fire that gave space for community and laughter. Through a roadmap to ELTE, participants learned about the CHARM-EU Alliance and study opportunities with them, they got to chance to have open conversations about well-being and assistance through the International Peer Counselling Organisation (IPCO). Student ambassadors offered insights into everyday life at ELTE and in Hungary, while the ISAC members listened to the raised student voices.
The Welcome Weekend aimed to make every freshman, whether arriving from Budapest or from across the world, feel at home in Hungary, ready to start their journey at ELTE with confidence and new friendships. The success of event marks the beginning of a new tradition, one that brings Hungarian and international students together to celebrate diversity, teamwork, and the shared excitement of a new academic chapter.
A glimpse of the weekend
A glimpse of the weekend
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