Reyhan Yildiz

Study program: Doctoral School of Linguistics

Country: Turkey

Period of studies at ELTE: 2015.09.01 - 2018.06.30

"ELTE is more than a university or an institution for me since it helped me to find my way when I came to Budapest due to my marriage. After leaving everything related to my life in Turkey, I acknowledged Budapest as my second home."

Why ELTE?

When I decided to study on an MA program in Budapest, ELTE was suggested as the most famous and oldest university in Hungary. Its friendly and impressive atmosphere and the attitude of the valuable lecturers always encouraged me to carry on with my studies for my further career, even though I had some language barriers at the beginning.

What do you like most about being a student at ELTE?

ELTE is more than a university or an institution for me since it helped me to find my way when I came to Budapest due to my marriage. After leaving everything related to my life in Turkey, I acknowledged Budapest as my second home. Therefore, being an MA student at ELTE played an important role adapt to my new life and this new culture as well. Due to my very nice experiences during my MA studies, I chose just a single university in my application form in Budapest to go on with my doctoral studies. Of course, this was my lovely university, ELTE. As a teacher, mother and student, it makes me really proud to be a PhD candidate at the best Hungarian university.

What are the challenges in your study program?

The language barrier was the biggest challenge for me when I started my MA program. However, after completing my MA studies, I believe that I improved my academic and language skills a lot and overcame this challenge thanks to the support of ELTE’s valuable academicians. The second challenge was to adapt to the education system that was quite different from that of my home country.

How do you think your degree will help you in your life and career?

I believe that having an MA and a PhD degree from one of the top 500 higher education institutions will give me many chances to have a better career for my job. I also believe that this education will open new doors and give new opportunities for my further life in order to follow my goals.

Do you have any advice/recommendations for future students at ELTE?

Even if it seems very difficult at the beginning of your education in a foreign country, which might be quite different from your own, it is worth trying to be brave and to follow your dreams. Come and feel this proud as a member of this lovely university, ELTE.