E-mail: elenebokho@student.elte.hu
Hi, my name is Elene, and I’m originally from the country of Georgia. I moved to Budapest two years ago to begin my studies at ELTE, and ever since, my lifestyle has become incredibly active. I’m always on the move - whether it’s socializing, enjoying the city, taking part in academic and non-academic activities, or even squeezing in some occasional sports. One of the things I’ve embraced most is the opportunity to travel - both within Hungary and beyond. I love exploring new places and making the most of my surroundings whenever I can. In short, my rhythm has turned from quiet, independent hobbies to a much more dynamic and engaging lifestyle. However, despite all the excitement, I make it a priority to visit my home country at least twice a year. Spending time with my family and reconnecting with my favorite spots in Georgia is something I deeply value.
"The excitement of studying at ELTE comes from a mix of being surrounded by the fascinating city center of Budapest, being fully engaged in your academic journey, and experiencing the cultural diversity on campus."
WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU ABOUT ELTE?
I was really impressed by ELTE as soon as I saw some pictures and read a bit about it. First of all, it’s the largest university in Hungary and the oldest one in Budapest, which already makes it pretty special. What caught my attention right away was the variety of faculties, the beautiful architecture, and how the buildings are spread across the city center.
As I became more invested,I started watching student vlogs and what stood out was how big and active the international student network is. I quickly got the feeling that ELTE has a friendly, welcoming vibe, and I wouldn’t feel lost or out of place there.
Another thing that made me feel like ELTE was the right choice was my study program. I looked into the curriculum and saw how well it ranks globally. When I checked out the PPK page, I found interesting courses, research groups, and projects that convinced me my bachelor’s training would be very productive and meaningful.
WHAT MAKES STUDYING AT ELTE SO GREAT?
The excitement of studying at ELTE comes from a mix of being surrounded by the fascinating city center of Budapest, being fully engaged in your academic journey, and experiencing the cultural diversity on campus. What motivates me most within our faculty is the chance to learn from and collaborate with accomplished professors, researchers, and doctors in the field of psychology. It’s incredibly inspiring to gain knowledge not only through their lectures but also by being exposed to their personal research and experiments. Being part of that scientific atmosphere - where you can step into research labs and hear the stories behind their life’s work is one of the most fascinating aspects of studying here.
Another major advantage of a large university like ELTE is its vibrant international community. It’s amazing how people from different cultural backgrounds can connect so well, despite differences in cultural background and upbringing, we often share similar lifestyles, goals, challenges, and successes.
I also really value the opportunities ELTE offers beyond academics. Whether it’s joining a student club, participating in a committee, or contributing to a research group, the university encourages you to explore different roles, develop new skills, and gain experiences that will be incredibly useful in the future.
WHAT ARE / WERE YOUR CHALLENGES IN YOUR STUDY PROGRAM?
One of the first universal challenges is adjusting to studying in English. Even if you've been a fluent speaker for years, it still takes time to get comfortable with the comprehension of academic language. Everyone goes through it in their own way and at their own pace, but watching yourself adapt and grow is the most rewarding part of the journey.
To speak specifically about the Psychology BA, one of the first things worth mentioning is the activity-based structure of the program. You’re constantly involved in projects, presentations, and reports, with the goal of building essential skills in communication, reflection, research, and presentation. For students who come from a more theory-focused background, this shift to practice-based learning can be a challenge, but it’s also highly productive.
Another challenge in psychology is that you’ll find yourself working across multiple disciplines, such as biology, philosophy, statistics, sociology, and more. Unlike programs that focus narrowly on one field, psychology requires you to explore the human mind from many different angles. Naturally, we all have strengths and weaknesses across these areas, and it’s normal to feel more confident in some than others. But all that can also be part of the excitement - approaching problems from new perspectives will push you to grow intellectually.
One more aspect of the curriculum that deserves mentioning is the comprehensive oral exams. These take place after covering four major divisions of psychology. You’ll need to prepare thoroughly to engage in detailed discussions with professors who are experts in their fields. I’ve always seen these exams as a kind of final qualification, where you demonstrate your understanding by having a meaningful academic conversation with a professional.
Finally, a major milestone in your final year is writing your thesis. Choosing the right topic is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, since it should reflect your interests, match your abilities and resources.
HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES?
The only way to overcome the initial challenge of the English language is through consistent practice. With time, you’ll find your studies requiring less time and energy, and becoming not so draining or intimidating as it first seemed.
Adjusting to an activity-based curriculum comes along with working on your public speaking skills, promoting creativity and experimenting with different study methods.Trying out techniques for productive project building and discovering what works best for you is the final stage of mastering university life. Keep reflecting on where you started and maintain an active feedback loop with yourself -it’s one of the best tools for growth.
As you get used to the university environment, the stress tends to decrease. You’ll soon realize you're part of a supportive community, and when you give your best effort, it won’t go unnoticed. You’re not alone, many others have gone through the same path.
One of the most effective ways that helped me face my challenges was knowing when to seek help. The challenges newcomers face are never truly new or unsolvable. Once you start reaching out, you’ll discover the incredible value of collaborating with like-minded peers. Whether you're solving problems together or sharing what you're best at, being open to giving and receiving help is one of the most powerful tools you’ll ever have, both throughout your studies and beyond.
It's important to take your study time seriously right from the beginning, to build a consistent routine and develop study habits that will carry you through the semester. Without structure, it’s easy to lose track and feel overwhelmed especially in your first year, but with discipline, you’ll enter the exam period with confidence.
As for the thesis, what helped me was to begin exploring what interested me the most as early as possible. The initial step is to narrow down your passions and consider which research methods feel the most comfortable. The combination of experiences I’ve gained from research field practices and research method seminars made my choice very smooth and, frankly, obvious.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ELTE IN THREE WORDS?
Interdisciplinary
Innovative
Welcoming
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR DEGREE WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
My degree is certainly going to be a great foundation for whatever I choose to pursue, even if I don’t yet know exactly what that is. A Bachelor’s in Psychology opens up a wide range of diverse and exciting career options, and I’m genuinely open to exploring where it might lead me. Beyond the academic career, the program has taught us how to grow as individuals: how to communicate effectively, practice empathy, negotiate thoughtfully, and work cooperatively in any professional setting. What's more, psychology doesn’t just shape our vocational skills, it offers insights that influence our everyday life, such as how to be a more thoughtful member of society, a supportive friend, and something I find deeply meaningful - a better future parent.
Specifically speaking about our curriculum at ELTE, I feel it’s set us up exceptionally well for future academic paths like MA and PhD programs. We've been training in research-oriented tasks throughout our studies, and writing our bachelor’s thesis has served as an introduction to working in a research environment. The wide variety of subjects we’ve explored gave us an insight into many possible directions we could take after graduation.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE STUDENTS AT ELTE?
Be flexible and open-minded. Seize every opportunity to socialize, make connections, and start growing from day one. If you put effort into creating your ecosystem right from the beginning, things will gradually become easier and soon you’ll find yourself in a stable, supportive environment.
It’s totally normal to feel intimidated and become passive at first. But don’t let that hold you back from giving your best. ELTE has a strong support system, and there will always be someone ready to help - There are many people whose role is to support freshmen. Look into student services, mentors, and experienced peers who can help make your start smoother. Join organized activities - they’re the best way to meet like-minded people and feel connected to university life.
When it comes to your studies, give it your full effort. Try different productivity techniques until you find what works best for you. The key is to keep adapting, that’s how we all grow.
And always remember: asking for help is one of the most powerful steps you can take. So many others have gone through the same challenges, and reaching out brings nothing but the upside - solving problems faster, growing personally and academically, finding comfort, and maybe even making strong, lasting connections. Interestingly, some of the deepest bonds I’ve made were over shared academic struggles.