I am Sergio Chaparro Arenas, your new International Ambassador from Latin America and Colombia. I invite you to read my recent story about travelling to Türkiye (April 2–6, 2026). I share some guidance on successful participation, benefits, and enjoyment. Feel free to share this blog note, its tips and useful information with your classmates and personal contacts!
At ELTE, international students gain valuable experience and are well-trained to become highly adaptable and globally mobile professionals. After all, 5,573 students have moved from nearly 100 countries to study in Hungary. They come to live an international experience in Europe. For this reason, ELTE received the Annual Prize 2026 as the University of Internationalisation in Hungary, and annually, its overall ranking becomes the 194th best university in Europe.
In some sense, international students develop global mindsets and practical adaptability. During breaks, many of them travel to other Hungarian cities and nearby countries for fun. But what about the challenge of travelling abroad for an academic conference? If you enjoy knowledge environments, this is something you should definitely try! I call this a trip with a meaningful purpose. It is closely connected to your degree program, your professional CV, and your talented university life.
Preparing for the trip and ELTE requirements
As an international student, mainly at doctoral or master's level, but also at bachelor's level, you can apply to participate in an international conference abroad. This is especially relevant if you are developing research or are interested in attending a specific educational topic.
The first step is to identify an academic event you would like to attend. In my case, five months ago, I chose the Historical Materialism Istanbul Conference. It was held from April 3 to 5 at the Santral Campus of Bilgi University in Istanbul. The conference is based on an interdisciplinary British journal. For the third time, it brought together social scholars and philosophers from across the world. Participants came from mainly Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. I was very proud to represent my own region, Latin America.
My initial recommendation is to consider not only the academic quality of the event. You should also choose a destination within the European Union or close to Hungary. This increases your chances of receiving enough financial support.
Preparing for an international conference usually requires writing an abstract or a longer text for a panel or topic session. You need to send it to the organisers and respect the deadlines. My submission was titled: “The emerging theory of crisis of Collapsology and environmental catastrophic currents in Europe and its materialist critique: case analysis”.
As an international student and member of the Doctoral School of Philosophy at the Humanities Faculty (BTK) of ELTE, and based on background learnings at the National University of Colombia (UNAL), I focus on the different diagnoses of the contemporary civilizational crisis and a metabolic theory of crisis in two post-classical German philosophers as well as social scientists. This is part of my broader research agenda, passion, and a vital interest in my PhD path.
I suggest preparing your abstract and your presentation carefully. You can use slides or read a written text for a real audience. It is also important to inform your thesis supervisor with clear and continuous communication. They can support you with the content, the process, and the required authorisation letter. Try to collaborate with classmates or colleagues who share similar research interests.
Once you are accepted, it is important to check ELTE options and deadlines for financial support. The secretary of your faculty and your supervisor can guide you. You can also ask in student chat groups. There are several talented international students who have already participated in conferences and can share their useful advice. In my case, Ximena, a Colombian ELTE doctoral student from the Faculty of Humanities, helped me.
ELTE, as a public university, offers different financial options. These include Travel Grants, Academic and Research Scholarships (TKP) of BTK Faculty, Erasmus+ Traineeships (Research Stay), and Erasmus+ Short-Term Doctoral Mobility. Some of these options are available to international students in different situations. This includes students under the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, like me, Erasmus exchange students, or self-funded students. I strongly recommend checking the official information and reading the requirements carefully.
In my case, I applied for an Academic and Research Scholarship (TKP), under the guidance of Gergő, administrative officer of the Institute of Philosophy and Vice-President of Academic Life Matters of the BTK Students’ Union (HÖK). As a freshman student, when I applied, the semester deadline on March 13 had already passed. However, there is still an option. You can travel with your own funds and apply next semester. If you meet the requirements and provide the necessary documents, the Faculty of Humanities can reimburse your expenses retroactively.
It is also very important to keep and organise all your receipts and invoices. This can include flight tickets, accommodation, conference registration fees, and local transport. Try to choose affordable airlines and hotels, also taking into account the destination, as university budgets and grants are limited.
At ELTE, attending an international conference offers several benefits, personal as well as institutional: earn academic credits; strengthen your CV; develop both soft skills and research skills; increase the visibility of your program, team research and faculty abroad. In addition, you can build professional networks and gain cultural experience.
Attending and living the conference
On April 4, for the first time, I set foot in the Middle East and the Euroasiatic nation, the Republic of Türkiye. I was very excited! I landed at Sabiha Gökçen, one of Istanbul’s international airports, known for its low-cost flights. To move easily around the city using Google Maps, it is advisable to get a MetroCard. It is also important to buy a SIM card with a data plan.
When I attended the Historical Materialism Conference at Bilgi University in Istanbul, I was surprised by its scale. According to the Turkish organiser, Prof. Dr Yücel Demirer, in the final closure of the conference, there were nearly 600 participants over three intense days around knowledge. The relevant year topic was “From Catastrophe to Struggle: Rethinking Capitalism amid Wars and Disasters”, under the auspices of the Turkish Social Science Association (TSSA).
The event included three full days of sessions. In accordance with their website, there were 457 speakers and 127 panel sessions. Topics covered mainly political economy on the Global South, Western philosophy, ecological risks and contemporary conflicts. One panel was entirely dedicated to the globally renowned Hungarian philosopher, György Lukács. I attended one of the thought-provocative tribute sessions. Other discussions focused on current armed conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon.
As a Latin American scholarship holder student from Colombia studying in Hungary, I had the opportunity to connect with several valuable people. I converse and share moments with other doctoral students and scholars from Türkiye, Poland, Tunisia, Germany, Italy, Finland, England, and the United States. It was an honour and a pleasure to interact with each one.
My humble suggestion is to focus on your presentation. Practice it in advance. Use a USB and your own laptop. Have your presentation ready in Word, PowerPoint, and PDF formats. Make sure it is also sent in advance to the panel chair or organiser. During your session, listen carefully to other speakers and take notes. Ask questions and engage in a relevant discussion.
During the breaks, take advantage of informal spaces. Talk to people in the halls, common areas, restaurants, and pubs. Exchange contacts and build connections. Also, plan to attend other sessions that match your vital interests. Finally, do not miss the opportunity to join the final closure of the conference!
Free time and chance for exploring Istanbul
For sure, not everything in this life is about knowledge and work! As an international student, participating in a conference abroad also gives you a bit of a chance and a small gateway to explore the city. In other words, it allows you to enjoy meaningful tourism. This is part of your cultural enrichment. It helps you see the world with vivid open eyes.
To make the most of this, it is recommended to arrive at least one day before the conference. In my case, on Friday, I visited the iconic downtown of Istanbul. Like Budapest and its Danube River, the city is divided by water into two sides. The Bosphorus Strait connects two continents, Europe and Asia. It also links the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.
I activated my running App twice. I walked and ran while discovering four beautiful mosques. The most impressive one was the Blue Mosque. It was a special moment when I removed my shoes to enter one of the architectural places of Muslim culture. I also experienced a cultural shock. Five times per day, I could hear some preachers praying from loudspeakers. I also noticed differences in public facilities, such as squat toilets. Another aspect that really surprised me was the human sensibility and friendship of the Turkish people with the Palestinians. In fact, it was very common to see both flags.
Türkiye, and especially Istanbul, is a powerful industrial, modern, and tourist city. At the same time, it has a long civilizational and historical tradition. It goes back to the Roman and Ottoman Empires and used to have more than 150 years of cultural relationship with Hungary people. You can visit places like the Obelisk with Egyptian hieroglyphics, Topkapi Palace, and Galata Tower. In many cases, you do not even need to buy a ticket to enjoy these sites from outside.
When you travel, try the local food. It is often affordable and full of flavour. Turkish people are also very welcoming. You can enjoy Turkish tea, menemen eggs, spinach börek, and lentil soup. The perfect veggie meals. Remember to talk with local people. Take photos and enjoy the sites’ aesthetics. Live the moment and reflect.
In brief, participating in a conference abroad, whether in Istanbul or another foreign city, can be synthesised as a combination of academic tourism, professional training, and intercultural enrichment. It is part of the international student life at Eötvös Loránd University!
Do not be afraid to show your talents and share your research with the world! Just try it. It doesn't really matter if you make some mistakes on your path. Like my testimony, give you the chance to share your meaningful experiences and knowledge with others.