We have a great and enthusiastic international alumni volunteer team of 20 people from 15 countries. Most of them decided to create an alumni chapter in their home country or make international professional alumni groups and some of them did great social media work. In the next chapter of our volunteer series, you can read Patrick Theuri’s story from Kenya! He studied in Hungary between 2018-2021 at Eötvös Loránd University, ELTE.
Why did you choose Hungary and ELTE university?
The combination of Hungary's vibrant culture and ELTE's academic excellence made it an irresistible choice for the opportunity to discover a new culture while pursuing my academic goals at a prestigious university. ELTE's Computational and Cognitive Science specifically caught my eye due to its unique curriculum and focus on Computational Intelligence. The program's emphasis on Artificial Intelligence perfectly matched my learning goals and research interests.
How did you like your studies? What was your favourite memory during your studies?
My studies at ELTE University were incredibly fulfilling. The program pushed me academically with challenging courses and demanding professors, but I found immense satisfaction in expanding my knowledge and developing my critical thinking skills.
My favourite memory is connected to the summer holidays when I immersed myself in the contrasting charms of Hungarian towns Hajós and Kiskunhalas. During that summer holiday, I participated in a boot camp organized by Wise (formerly TransferWise) and GDG. GDG Cloud Budapest is a community group for developers interested in Google Cloud Platform (GCP). It is part of the broader Google Developer Groups (GDG) program, which supports developers around the world by providing them with opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.
How did you like the country?
Hungary was truly remarkable! The people were warm and welcoming, the food was delicious. I was captivated by its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. From exploring the bustling streets of Budapest to soaking in the thermal baths, every moment was a delight.
Did you have any difficulties with the Hungarian culture? What was that and how did you handle?
Yes, while the Hungarian language has a relatively flexible word order, the emphasis on certain words can change the meaning of a sentence, which can be confusing for learners. I discovered Hungarian culture through music, movies, and conversations with native speakers to gain a deeper understanding of the language and its nuances.
How does the Hungarian culture differ from the Kenyan culture?
Hungary is primarily Hungarian-speaking, with a population mainly consisting of Hungarians with minority groups. Kenya is ethnically diverse, with major groups just mention like Luo, Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Kamba, Somali, Mijikenda, Maasai, Kisii, Samburu, Turkana and Meru. Because of this, Kenya has a diverse language landscape with Swahili and English serving as official languages, alongside hundreds of regional languages.
You are among alumni volunteers. Why did you apply for that position? What's your task and how do you manage it? What do you think about the Alumni Network Hungary?
To foster a good networking ground for Stipendium Hungaricum Alumni, provide events and resources to help alumni stay connected, develop mechanisms to inform the alumni growth and career opportunities available throughout the networks, and more so contribute to the development of not only the universities themselves but all the stakeholders.
Hungarian Alumni in Kenya is united by their shared experience studying in Hungary, the network brings together individuals with diverse expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. It is open to welcoming new members, the network is actively expanding and strengthening its presence in Kenya, offering valuable support and opportunities for Hungarian graduates.
What's your plan for the future?
My future plans involve further developing my skills and knowledge in the Information technology field with a focus on Computational Intelligence. Additionally, I'm open to new opportunities and challenges that will allow me to expand my horizons and make a positive impact in Informatics.