One of the key values of Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University\u2019s international student community\u2014numbering over a thousand students from nearly ninety countries\u2014is cultural diversity, which the institution\u2019s International Directorate, through its Centre for Mobility and Scholarship, supports with regular intercultural programmes. The initiative \u201cThe Rhythm of Nature\u201d<\/em> reflected this approach: participants not only presented their own traditions but also gained first-hand experience of one another\u2019s customs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The theme of the event was defined by spring, renewal and new beginnings, closely linked to the message of the International Day of Happiness designated by the United Nations on 20 March. The aim of this international day is to draw attention to the importance of well-being, community relationships and social balance, emphasising that these are determining factors not only at an individual but also at a global level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students from thirty different countries took part in the event. Among them, young people from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, Mongolia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Uganda and Hungary showcased their cultures, creating an opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to meet. The focus was on how the arrival of spring is associated with rebirth, freedom or the celebration of traditional festivals. Special attention was given to the Hungarian presentation: Anna Bedics, an International Relations student, introduced Hungarian Easter customs, highlighting the significance of Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as well as the message of Easter Sunday, which celebrates the Resurrection. She also spoke about the still-living tradition of Easter Monday sprinkling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants of the \u201cThe Rhythm of Nature\u201d programme at Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University \u2013 students presented the cultural traditions of ten countries, which they also evoked through their attire (Photo: M\u00e1rton \u00d3dor)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A moving moment of the programme came when participants sang the Hungarian folk song \u201cTavaszi sz\u00e9l vizet \u00e1raszt\u201d<\/em> (Spring Wind Brings Floodwaters<\/em>). Netsanet Temesgen from Ethiopia, a master\u2019s student in Infrastructure Engineering and a scholarship holder of the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People, also highlighted what a great experience it was for her to participate in the programme and to learn about other cultures through music. \u201cI am proud that I could represent Ethiopia, and singing the Hungarian folk song together will remain a memorable experience for me<\/em>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ibrahim Bakri from Sudan, a doctoral student at the Wittmann Antal Multidisciplinary Doctoral School of Plant, Animal and Food Sciences and a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder, emphasised: \u201cI was able to learn about many cultures and traditional songs from different parts of the world. While decorating eggs, I met new people, and I also learned more about Hungarian Easter traditions, which combine both Christian and folk elements.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis event meant a great deal to me: presenting my homeland strengthened my connection to home even further. Singing the Hungarian folk song reinforced the idea that although we come from different countries, we can easily connect with one another through music<\/em>,\u201d said Khanom Sanjida from Bangladesh, a self-funded master\u2019s student in Supply Chain Management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Dr Nurullah Bektas from Turkey, a former Stipendium Hungaricum doctoral student at the Doctoral School of Multidisciplinary Engineering Sciences, it was important to present Nevruz, which marks the celebration of spring for hundreds of millions of people in his homeland and beyond. \u201cIt felt as though I could bring a piece of my home into the University community in Gy\u0151r. Singing \u201cTavaszi sz\u00e9l vizet \u00e1raszt\u201d together stayed with me long after the event, reminding me that music needs no translation<\/em>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A creative activity accompanied the presentations: participants decorated Easter eggs, which were then used to create an Easter egg tree (Photo: Andr\u00e1s Adorj\u00e1n)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Created: 2026.04.17. 09:43 Spring renewal was at the heart of Sz\u00e9chenyi Istv\u00e1n University\u2019s event entitled \u201cThe Rhythm of Nature\u201d, where international students presented traditions associated with the season in their home …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":9923,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alumni.sze.hu\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kep1-10-1024x683.jpg\")
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\u201cI sincerely believe that music has the power to connect people from different cultures. Seeing our students sing together, learn from one another, and joyfully perform our folk song was both uplifting and touching \u2013 a beautiful reminder that shared experiences can create lasting connections across borders<\/em>,\u201d said Sylvia P\u00e1lin\u00e9 Nyiri, staff member of the International Directorate, institutional coordinator of the Scholarship Programme for Christian Young People, and chief organiser of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alumni.sze.hu\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Kep2-7-1024x683.jpg\")
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