“The greatest value lies in the close-knit community” – The HÖOK Diaspora Mentoring Programme

The HÖOK Diaspora Mentoring Programme, launched in September 2022, aims to provide Hungarian Diaspora scholarship holders with peer support while fostering a deeper connection to Hungarian culture. It offers its members access to mentors whom they can contact at any time from September to June if they have any difficulties at the university or in daily life, such as housing, administration, or university services. It encourages students from the Hungarian diaspora to connect with their heritage through regular events, where participants can discover Hungarian culture, history, art, or gastronomy. These programs provide insight into Hungarian life and promote Hungarian language learning and the Scholarship Programme as well.

Trip to Bratislava

We asked a few questions from Sára to understand the ins and outs of the program better: learn about the program’s impact, its role in helping students to adjust, and the memorable moments that make it special.

How does being part of this mentor network support both the mentors and the mentees?

Being part of the HÖOK Diaspora Mentoring Programme offers many benefits. There is a unique duality to the programme: it provides insight into an international environment and allows participants to build valuable relationships as Hungarians, regardless of language ability. Participants build lasting connections, gain professional experience, and explore Hungary’s cultural and natural treasures. However, the greatest value lies in the close-knit community that mentors and mentees create together.

Learning about Hungarian culture and history at the Fiumei Road Cemetery

Do you have a favourite moment or story from working with people in the network?

It is difficult to single out just one moment, but perhaps my favourite was our semester closing event for the 2023/24 year, which we held on a stationary boat in Budapest. This event brought together the highest number of mentors and mentees so far, and it was wonderful to see the community we had built over two years. The many familiar faces and personal conversations made the program feel even more meaningful to me.

Winter fun at the City Park ice rink

What inspired you to get involved with this mentor network? How has it been so far?

I joined the HÖOK Diaspora Mentoring Programme in August 2022, so I was also somewhat involved in the program’s preparations. I was very pleased to join a workplace where we have creative freedom in organising the programs. The challenge of introducing Hungarian culture to students who, despite being Hungarian, may find certain cultural aspects new was a significant motivation for me to engage in this work.

Making new friends during the “busójárás”

I believe that, as young Hungarians, we often overlook the cultural richness of Hungary, failing to recognize these values in our daily lives. As a result, it has become part of my daily routine to hunt for program opportunities that can bring Hungarian culture closer to young people as well. We often receive feedback from the scholarship holders that they had a great time at our events, which further highlights that what I’m doing is valuable and forward-looking work.

Visiting the University and National Library at the University of Debrecen

Sára also noted that the network organises weekly events to help scholarship holders get to know their shared Hungarian culture, language and history better, and to cherish these memories for years to come. Experience shows that the community formed here is very important to the scholarship holders.

Discover Hungarian culture and make meaningful friendships

Curious about the mentor network’s events or thinking of joining the community?

You can register on their website and visit their Instagram. To stay updated on upcoming activities, browse the events calendar, listen to their podcast in Hungarian, and discover more about what’s happening.