In our new series, volunteers from Alumni Network Hungary share the personal stories behind the keepsakes that best symbolize their connection to Hungary. Second up is Rama from Jordan.
I didn’t choose a famous monument or a historic street as my symbol of Hungary. I chose a mug.
I painted it at Made by Pécs during a workshop that brought together international students and Hungarians around one table. What seemed like a simple ceramic cup slowly became something much deeper. As I picked up the brush and carefully chose a pale orange color, I found myself reflecting on my journey here and how much I have grown since the day I arrived.
That soft orange represents the gentle warmth Hungary has given me — a quiet, nurturing energy that turned a foreign country into a home.
It reminds me of cozy afternoons, kind conversations, shared laughter, and the calm confidence I have built while studying and growing here.
On the mug, I painted peaches — simple, sweet, and full of life, just like my experience in this country. Every time I hold that mug, I don’t just see fruit on ceramics. I see friendship, courage, independence, and a second home far away from Jordan that I never expected to find.
Photos provided from the personal archive of Rama Al-Zeer