Adrian Estrela Pereira
Study program: Doctoral School of Education
Country: Brazil
Scholarship:
Period of studies at ELTE: 2018.09.01 - 2023.06.15
"Besides the international ranking, professor’s quality, structure and the influential position in my area of interest, the institutional organization and the support given to the students is pretty great."
WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU ABOUT ELTE?
ELTE is ranked among the best Hungarian universities in different internationally recognized rankings, like QS. A similar result can be observed when we look at ELTE from an international perspective. Additionally, the fact that ELTE is mainly based in Budapest makes it very attractive from a social interaction and intercultural development perspective. Living in the Hungarian capital makes students routine and daily experiences very interesting.
WHAT MAKES STUDYING AT ELTE SO GREAT?
Besides the international ranking, professor’s quality, structure and the influential position in my area of interest, the institutional organization and the support given to the students is pretty great. My faculty releases and continuously updates webpages with the most important information related to academic matters. In addition, besides keeping constant contact with the students via email, the international office provides a range of office hours for individual consultation.
WHAT ARE / WERE YOUR CHALLENGES IN YOUR STUDY PROGRAM?
Even though it is not strong enough to be considered as a barrier, my biggest challenges are connected with the international environment itself. All my previous studies were done in Brazilian contexts and I needed to move out of this “comfort zone” when I started my journey in Hungary. Beyond cultural, historical and political aspects related to my country’s society, these kinds of differences promote direct impacts in studies in matters like academic literature, viewpoints and paradigms. However, overcoming these challenges can be considered extremely beneficial in the preparation for a changing and increasingly globalized world.
HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES?
Overcoming the mentioned challenges involve different approaches and steps related to academic and daily life. Having conversations, participating in academic discussions, asking questions, paying attention to alternative pathways to live and understand life, reading about different perspectives and listening to different viewpoints can help any international student in the adapting process. Interestingly, overcoming these challenges are not necessarily arduous or unpleasant: making friends can be considered a route which leads to this aim.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ELTE IN THREE WORDS?
Organized, Supportive, Influential
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR DEGREE WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
Although its relevance varies in different areas, I am sure that an academic degree provided by a High-quality and Internationally recognized institution like ELTE will enable countess possibilities not only in a national scenario – for students who intends to come back their courtiers – but also for international carriers in our increasingly connected world.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE STUDENTS AT ELTE?
Despite it seems to be redundant: just be open minded. Budapest and ELTE offer a very peculiar international environment. ELTE members deal with much more than Hungarian and European culture, we may benefit from the interaction with people from more than 100 different countries.