Széchenyi István University is organizing a cultural and charitable programme series for the residents of a children's home in Győr, during which its international students present themselves and their home countries. The initiative, titled ‘Me and My Country’, was launched a year ago, and since then the children have had the opportunity to learn about 12 different countries.

Access to quality education plays a significant role in eliminating poverty and improving the quality of life, while also forming the foundation of well-functioning communities and municipalities. For this reason, the observance of International Children's Rights Day holds special importance for Széchenyi István University. This day, celebrated globally on 20 November, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. In support of a sustainable future, the University places great emphasis on offering high-quality education, promoting equality of opportunity, and encouraging social engagement.

In the spirit of charity, the University’s international students made and donated crocheted blankets to the residents of the Győr Children’s Protection Centre’s temporary children’s home last December. The organizers have also launched a new cultural programme series for the children, in which young people from abroad present their countries' cultures through personal, engaging presentations. So far, the teenagers have been introduced to 12 different countries. Eleven of these countries – Ukraine, Mexico, Kenya, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, China, Lebanon, Ethiopia, India, and Pakistan – were presented by students from Széchenyi University who are studying with the support of the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme and the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People (SCYP).

"At these events, our international students share stories about their home countries, the uniqueness of their cultures and themselves. The residents of the home enthusiastically welcome the presentations, ask many questions, and enjoy spending time with the young people from abroad. We have observed that these experiences bring as much joy to our students as they do to the children," said Sylvia Páliné Nyiri, a staff member of the University's Centre of International Programmes and Alumni, and the main organizer of the series.

"The students from different cultures all arrived in Hungary with the desire to participate in high-quality higher education, and this is what connects them. At the end of their presentations, they also discuss why they consider further education, quality learning, and mastering foreign languages to be important," she added. She emphasized that it means a lot for disadvantaged teenagers to be encouraged to study by foreign young people who are close to their age and focused on their studies. "I believe that the opportunity to participate in education is open to everyone, providing young people with opportunities that can have a generational impact on their future," she stressed.

Indian Jaykumar Rajkumar Bagaria, Pakistani Abishae Noel, Chinese Guo Shaofeng, Lebanese Oleksandra Honcharova, Ukrainian Maksym Krat, Sylvia Páliné Nyiri, staff member of the University's Centre of International Programmes and Alumni and the main organizer of the series, as well as Ethiopian Tamrat Chala Delessa, joyfully participated in the charitable programme. 

(Photo: András Adorján)

Tamrat Delessa Chala, a PhD student in the University’s Multidisciplinary Doctoral School of Engineering Sciences, introduced Ethiopia to the young residents of the home. "Through these presentations, the participating teenagers open up to the world and become more receptive to understanding cultural differences. We also encourage them to reflect on their own identity, promoting inclusion and understanding between cultures," he said. He added that the programme can help develop communication skills and contribute to the creation of international relationships.

Chinese Guo Shaofeng, who graduated from the University’s Masters programme in Supply Chain Management this summer and also obtained his undergraduate degree in Győr, did not expect such a strong interest from the children at the beginning of the event series. However, upon starting his presentation, he was greeted with shining eyes and curious faces. "I realized that I wasn’t just sharing the history and culture of China with them, but I was also helping to build a bridge between cultures. The programme made me realize that, as an international student, I play an important role in promoting intercultural communication and understanding," he explained. "I find it extremely important to encourage disadvantaged teenagers to pursue further education, as it opens up new opportunities for them, broadens their worldview, and equips them with essential skills needed for their personal and professional development," he added.

The programme significantly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which are of strategic importance to Széchenyi István University, such as quality education, the eradication of poverty, reducing inequalities, and partnerships to achieve these goals.