From Scholarship to Success: My Stipendium Hungaricum Journey – Part 1: What is the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship for me?

Sarah Sabek | 05.12.2024.

I am Sarah Sabek, a scholarship student, bachelor student, and International Student Ambassador at ELTE. I come from Egypt and have been living in Hungary for almost 3 years. Why am I here, and what is this blog about? It’s about my personal journey with the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.

Since applications have recently opened, I thought I would share with you my story so far and how one day, you might also have a story to tell… a story that starts with a scholarship and leads to success.

Ever since I was young and during my school years, I had always heard about high-achieving students and how they won scholarships and received endless opportunities. It made me eager and excited to try and do the same. I’d randomly start dreaming about traveling to Europe and studying at a university there. We’ve all had that dream before, right?

But after COVID hit in my year of graduation, my hopes stumbled. I was worried about my future, especially since universities in my home country, Egypt, had high competition and limited scholarships. That’s when my old childhood dream of studying in Europe resurfaced. A simple “What if?” was all it took for me to start my journey and that’s when the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program appeared right in front of me. Who knew that one click on their website would be the beginning of a life-changing transformation for me?

What is the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship for me?

If you were to search for the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship on google, you'd likely find it described as a prestigious program funded by the Hungarian government, offering opportunities for international students. But for me, it’s so much more than that. It gave me the chance to study in Hungary without worrying about tuition fees, housing, or daily expenses. The scholarship provided me with a monthly accommodation support sum, a monthly stipend for my daily expenses, and access to Hungary’s healthcare system. It wasn’t just about the financial support, though. It also allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, learn a new language, and create unforgettable experiences. In other words, the scholarship helped me so much that it truly felt like it was offering me a second home.