Fresh Starts - University of Sopron Welcomes New Students with Orientation Day

A key highlight of the event was the official opening of the poster exhibition titled “One Journey. A Thousand Opportunities,” organized in front of the Main Building in the Botanical Garden. The open-air display promotes the Pannónia Scholarship Programme by showcasing the real-life experiences of students, lecturers, and staff who have participated in international mobilities.

The numbers behind the exhibition speak for themselves: since 2024, nearly 500 mobilities have been realized at the University of Sopron—more than three-quarters of them by students—covering 36 countries and over 6,000 days spent abroad on studies, internships, and teaching visits.

"As an international coordinator, I see day after day how gaining international experience brings a profound, positive change to young people’s lives. Studying or doing an internship abroad doesn't just improve your CV—it builds confidence, independence, and an open-minded perspective that stays with you for life." emphasized Katalin Krajczár-Sári, Head of the International Office, in her opening speech.

Alongside the exhibition, the International Office welcomed students at two dedicated stands:

• Mobility and the Pannónia Scholarship: One table introduced students to study abroad opportunities, focusing heavily on the Pannónia Scholarship Programme. Here, students could ask questions about international exchange programs, foreign internships, and short-term study visits.
• Multicultural Community: The neighboring table was all about celebrating different cultures. Decorated with national flags and interesting facts from countries around the world, it offered an open space for Hungarian and international students to connect and share experiences.

To make sure incoming international students felt at home right away, peer supporters organized a guided campus tour throughout the event, showing them around the Botanical Garden and essential buildings.

"Our goal with the stands was to show first-year students right at the beginning of their studies the opportunities that enrich university life outside of lectures," said Dorottya Tücsök, educational coordinator at the Vice-Rector’s Office for Education and the main organizer of the event. "We wanted to show that alongside academic progress, community experiences, international opportunities, sports, and culture are all essential parts of these years. The main takeaway for me was that everyone could find the community and opportunity that best matches their interests and goals."

Support services were also strongly represented. Teams from the Student Support Service, the Peer Supporter Group, the Cura Personalis Group, and the Equal Opportunities Committee for Students with Disabilities were present to introduce the assistance available throughout the semester.

Students could also meet representatives from various university groups, including the SMAFC Sports Club, the Ürmös Folk Dance Group, the Selmec Society, the Kaán Károly Eco-Club, the local student group of the National Forestry Association, and the International Forestry Students' Association (IFSA).

The day also featured an exhibition in the Fusion Creative Studio, displaying selected diploma projects from the 2024–2026 period. The showcase gave new students a clear look at how the knowledge and creative experience gained during university studies can lead to diverse professional and artistic paths.