Rodrigo Neto initially arrived in Győr drawn by the allure of the Audi brand, but he would have stayed on because of the close-knit community. As an Erasmus student who spent half a year at Széchenyi István University, the Portuguese student now highly recommends the institution to his peers. His attachment to the University is so strong that he has vowed to return for at least a week to visit the friends he made there.

"My family and professors advised me that if I had the opportunity, I should study abroad, as it would contribute significantly to both my professional and personal development. I took this advice to heart," began Rodrigo Neto as he recounted his journey, which ultimately led him to Győr. But what exactly made him choose Széchenyi István University?

"Hungary is well known among Portuguese students, and those who had studied here highly recommended it to me. A major advantage is that the cost of living is similar to that in Portugal, and from Hungary, one can easily travel to many parts of Europe. Although I was unfamiliar with Győr, the presence of the Audi factory in the city convinced me. When I was applying, I noticed the name of the Széchenyi István University Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering on the list, and after some research, I decided that this was the right choice. It turned out to be an excellent decision," the Portuguese student explained.

Rodrigo Neto found what he was looking for at Széchenyi István University. (Photo: Máté Dudás)

As a student of the Porto Institute of Engineering (ISEP), Rodrigo came to Széchenyi István University as an exchange student under the Erasmus scholarship programme. He studied in Győr from September to January, taking courses in logistics engineering, including supply chain management, packaging technology, and warehousing.

"Without exaggeration, I can say that the education here impressed me greatly. At home, the focus is primarily on theoretical education, so I was surprised by the highly practical approach here. The lecturers have significant industry experience and share valuable insights about how things work in real-life scenarios. In the Packaging and Environmental Testing Laboratory, I finally got a taste of what my future career will involve," he enthusiastically recounted.

The University's growing and diverse international community warmly welcomed the Portuguese student. By chance, he was assigned an Angolan roommate, which allowed him to converse in his native language daily, as Portuguese is Angola’s official language. Various programmes facilitated his integration and social life, including quiz nights, film clubs, and outdoor cooking events.

"I was pleased to find a sports bar nearby, where I could follow Portuguese football matches with my friends. Whenever possible, we travelled to neighbouring countries such as Slovakia and Austria, and we even made a trip to Denmark. We also explored Hungary, visiting Budapest, Sopron and Lake Balaton. Through a professional excursion, I had the opportunity to visit both the Audi factory in Győr and Amazon’s logistics centre in Vienna," he shared.

The Portuguese student (third from the right) reached Amazon's logistics centre in Vienna as part of a professional excursion.

Surprisingly, Rodrigo claims that Hungary is very similar to Portugal.

"The way of life is quite similar in both countries, as is the standard of living. Naturally, the weather and cuisine differ—I missed the warmth, the sunshine, and the fresh fish. One of our courses introduced us to Hungarian language and culture, which I found very useful," he remarked.

During a semester-long mobility program, it is natural for strong bonds to form between students, and Rodrigo was no exception. He describes his international group of peers as his family—they did everything together, travelled everywhere together, and could always rely on one another.

"I could have stayed longer, but I wanted to spend my final semester at home. I also had an internship opportunity awaiting me, which required me to return. My time at Széchenyi István University provided me with lifelong memories and an incredible number of new friendships, more than I ever dreamed of. I miss Győr, which is why I have promised myself that I will return for at least a week this year to visit everyone. In just six months, I feel that became a part of the Széchenyi student community, and for that, I will always be grateful," he concluded.