Experiences and New Connections: Freshers’ Week at SZE Marks the Start of Community Building

Created: 2025.08.29. 13:53

At the end of August, first-year students arrived at Széchenyi István University to tune in for the start of the semester within the framework of the traditional Freshers’ Week. Alongside informal entertainment and community building, the event – now a long-standing tradition – also serves to provide the most important information to newcomers, with the support of the student union, lecturers and senior students.

On 26 August, the Győr campus of Széchenyi István University once again filled with first-year students. Over the course of the five-day Freshers’ Week, they not only get to know each other but also receive essential guidance on matters concerning them. Lectures cover topics such as the basics of the University’s education system, scholarships and grants, as well as sporting opportunities. Within the so-called “szakfejtágítás” sessions organised by the student union, each student receives first-hand information related to their specific degree programme, along with practical advice, tips and guidance from senior students, lecturers and mentors of the field.

A group photo of Freshers’ Week participants in the Győr City University Hall. (Photo: András Adorján)

The main aim of Freshers’ Week – similar to Freshers’ Meet – is to integrate newcomers into the University community while familiarising them with institutional traditions and giving them a taste of student life. All of this takes place in teams, through games and competitions – rounded off each evening with parties to unwind from the day’s activities.

“Freshers’ Week is usually followed immediately by moving into the halls of residence. This year, however, move-in is postponed by a week, in line with the beginning of the academic year, as Széchenyi István University will provide accommodation for athletes participating in the Canoe Sprint World Championships in Győr,” explained Brigitta Linda Sándor, Head of the camp. She added that this year they were able to increase the camp’s capacity, meaning that – despite huge oversubscription – nearly one thousand freshers are able to take part.

“We worked a lot behind the scenes together with the University to ensure an unforgettable experience for the freshers. Our goal is to provide them with a positive environment where they feel safe,” she underlined.

At the opening event, the organising team introduced themselves to the freshers. (Photo: András Adorján)

International students also remain a key focus for the institution. According to Dávid Vályi Nagy, President of the Student Union, foreign students again form a separate team and – to support integration – take part in all programmes alongside their Hungarian peers, in addition to the professional lectures. “Once again, we organised a dedicated orientation day for them, and we provide assistance in everything from enrolment to opening a bank account. A novelty this year is that, for the first time, they will have the opportunity to take a sightseeing tour of Győr on a small train, during which their mentors will introduce the city to them in English,” he explained. “We cooperate with many partners, several of whom contribute by setting up stands and offering activities that make the event even more colourful. I must particularly highlight the support of the university leadership, without which Freshers’ Week would not have been possible.”

At the opening ceremony of the Freshers’ Week, Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations, welcomed the first-year students on behalf of the University leadership. She pointed out that, through the main and supplementary admission procedures, more than five thousand students have been admitted to Hungary’s sixth best higher education institution – according to international rankings. She then extended a special greeting to the newest members of the international student community. “Do not hesitate to ask your programme leaders and lecturers questions, do not hesitate to join student organisations, competition teams and specialist colleges, and do not hesitate to apply for the international scholarships available at our university, ranging from two-day to one-year programmes,” she emphasised.

From the city’s side, Péter Boncsarovszky, Mayoral Commissioner for Youth and Civil Communities, highlighted that Győr is a fantastic place not only to study, but also to work and live. “The local government maintains an excellent relationship with the student union. We strive to embrace every suggestion that can make young people’s lives easier and more colourful. We want Győr to be not only the place where you study, but also the city where you find employment and start a family. You can count on the city’s support,” he said.

Dr Eszter Lukács on behalf of the University, and Péter Boncsarovszky on behalf of the city, greeted the freshers. (Photos: András Adorján, Gergely Nagy)

This year, for the first time, students of the Albert Kázmér Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences in Mosonmagyaróvár are also full participants in all Freshers’ Week programmes in Győr, to further support their integration into the community. However, traditions are not abandoned: one entire day is spent on the Mosonmagyaróvár campus, where young people can try traditional games, meet their lecturers, and finish the evening with a choral performance before returning to Győr.

The organisers also place great emphasis on participant feedback. To this end, freshers can complete a quality assurance questionnaire in which they can evaluate every aspect of the event, from team activities to accommodation and evening programmes. Based on the responses, the student union makes recommendations to the next organising team, ensuring that camps become better year after year for future generations.

The team of Mosonmagyaróvár students in front of the Castle of Mosonmagyaróvár. (Photo: András Adorján)