The University of Pécs has more than 4,500 international students, all with their own cultures, traditions, and holidays.

The pandemic has pushed us into an abyss of uncertainty, fear and gloom. It can be tough to navigate through the new reality, but there is a way to go about it. As a psychology student, I am happy to remind you of a few simple yet game-changing tips for mental well-being. 

I believe that sustaining mental hygiene is as important as washing our hands. Taking that extra time to understand why you are feeling a certain way can be relieving. Here’s a little diagram to help you out with this. 

The COVID-19 pandemic proved how important the internet is. Ordering online is an easy and convenient way to shop while social distancing. And if I am being honest, it actually saves you a lot of time. In the past few months, apps like Tesco, Wolt, VisitMe and NetPincer have proved extremely useful. While at home, awaiting my delivery, I could keep busy studying for exams or attending classes.

Spoken by only around 12 million people in the world, Hungarian language has always been considered as one of the most difficult languages. Having said that, most of the international students at the University do not take Hungarian language assuming it would be difficult to learn. Iheb Azzouz, a Tunisian student is an inspiration for many. He is a final year BA International Relations student enrolled in the Hungarian language program after learning the language from scratch via a one-year preparatory course.

Congratulations, you did it! You arrived in Pécs, probably thousands of miles away from home, ready for your new adventure. Excited to meet new people, to get to know an unknown culture. But as soon as you step onto Hungarian soil, you become aware of one crucial problem: you don’t speak Hungarian. And when you only get vague looks and slightly rude headshakes when you ask “Do you speak English?”, you realise you are in more trouble than you thought. How are you going to solve this? Get a taxi, ask directions in a foreign city, order a beer -- language is essential.

As an international student here in Pécs, one of the first thoughts that came to my mind was how will I make friends? Will I find people my age to be around? It was such an overwhelming feeling, leaving behind a group of friends from high school whom I grew up with to go somewhere new where I would have to find myself and make new friends.

If you had ever enjoyed practicing yoga before coming to Pécs, and you are looking for a place to continue your training, you might be interested in being a member of Mandala Yoga Studio. Besides, if you have never tried doing yoga before, I have great news for you: the first lesson is for free.

A Cooking Story.

Hi, my name is Darko and I have been living in Hungary for about 2 years now. I come from a family that would always cook for me. My granny on a regular basis would come to my room with something new that she had invented or taken out of some old cookbook, and "I LOVED IT", I got to eat all the great meals that she as well as my mom would make without any of that hassle of making them myself.

Imagine with me… today is one of the most important days in your life, not only for you, but for your family, friends, and surrounding. You have established a routine on this day for every single year since you were born! All the details are important today, timing, schedules, how to get ready, what to wear, who will you see first, what to say, how to greet, when to go out, with who, what to eat… every single detail will make a difference today, and you wait for it from year to year! But suddenly, everything changed, and nothing is going to work normally!

It’s May and the worst is past us now.Though every semester it is a struggle again; saying goodbye to friends, and welcoming new ones into your lives again. This is the deal as a student studying abroad, circling around in the international communities. No one is on home base, everyone’s stay has an expiring date. It makes the meetings more interesting, the connections more intense, and the breaks even more discomforting.