My background
Hi, my name is Doina, and I recently graduated from “Ion Creangă” High School in the Republic of Moldova. I have always been a curious person and have had more than just one passion. I have always been interested in many different things: dancing, playing the guitar, writing articles and poetry, singing, and especially sports (volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, and athletics). For a long time, I wondered whether having so many interests was a weakness or a strength. Today, I see it as one of my greatest advantages. Each of these activities taught me something different. Sports taught me discipline and teamwork; creative activities taught me how to express myself and think differently; being involved in different environments taught me how to communicate and become comfortable with people who are different from me.
Extracurriculars
My volunteering journey began when I was around fifteen. At the end of eighth grade, I joined my school's Student Council as a member. What initially seemed like a simple extracurricular activity quickly became one of the most formative experiences of my teenage years. Through the Student Council, I learned that being part of a community also means taking responsibility for it. I became involved in activities aimed at improving school life and, eventually, became Vice President of the Student Council.
One of the experiences that significantly changed my perspective was an intercultural exchange program in Switzerland, supported by the Pestalozzi Children's Foundation. I spent three weeks in an international environment where I had to step outside of my comfort zone, communicate in English, meet young people from different countries, and discuss topics such as culture, children's rights, and the role of young people in creating positive change. This experience showed me that differences in culture and backgrounds do not have to divide people. Instead, they can become an opportunity to learn from each other.
After returning home, I became even more involved in youth initiatives. My hometown, Ungheni, was designated Moldova's Youth Capital in 2023, which created many opportunities for young people to participate in volunteering and community projects. I became particularly interested in the importance of student representation and youth participation in decision-making. My involvement also expanded to the national level. As a national trainer with Y-PEER Moldova, I found myself delivering sessions and discussing sensitive but essential topics with other young people, including sexual education, mental health, bullying, and advocacy. Later, I became an ambassador for the Child Helpline within projects supported by UN Women and UNICEF, a Red Cross volunteer, and an American Spaces volunteer. These experiences strengthened my communication and leadership skills, but, more importantly, they taught me that knowledge becomes truly valuable when it is shared with others.
Spending a year in the U.S. with the FLEX Program
At the same time, I remained strongly focused on my academics and participated in regional and national contests. In tenth grade, I applied for the FLEX program and successfully passed all the stages of the selection process. As a result, the following year, I had the opportunity to spend an academic year in the United States as an exchange student. I lived with an American host family and attended an American high school, approximately 10,000 kilometers away from home.
The FLEX experience was a turning point in my life. Being completely independent in a new country made me realize that I was capable of much more than I had previously imagined. I became more confident, responsible, and learned to actively seek opportunities rather than wait for them. For 10 months, I went hard on myself; I was part of 4 sports teams, completed over 100 hours of community service, and maintained my GPA of 4.0, being enrolled in the High Honor Roll at the end of the year. Most importantly, studying in an American school introduced me to a different educational philosophy and allowed me to discover a field that would ultimately influence my future career.
Before going to the United States, I was considering studying International Relations. However, during my exchange year, I had the opportunity to study Economics. I discovered that I genuinely enjoyed understanding how markets, businesses, and economic systems functioned. My interest in mathematics and analytical thinking made this field particularly appealing to me. That experience helped me make an important decision: I wanted to pursue International Business Economics and build an international career.
When I returned to Moldova, I continued my involvement with the FLEX alumni community, helping promote the program and encouraging other young people to pursue similar opportunities. My final year of high school also became a period in which I was particularly concentrated on my academic goals.
If I were asked what ultimately brought all these experiences together and led me to become a scholarship recipient, I would point to my year in the United States. It was there that I discovered not only what I wanted to study, but also why I wanted to study it.
Why did I decide to pursue my studies abroad?
For me, the decision to pursue my university studies abroad was not a spontaneous one. I had been considering it since approximately the ninth grade, when I first began to understand how important it was for me to challenge myself and step beyond the environment I already knew.
Moldova is my home, and naturally, it is the place where I feel most comfortable. I know the language, the culture, the educational system, and many of the people around me. I know how to navigate that environment, and I know where to turn when I need support. However, I gradually realized that staying only within what is familiar would not necessarily allow me to discover the full extent of my potential.
My experience in the United States played a decisive role in confirming this belief. Living thousands of kilometers away from home and adapting to a completely different educational and social environment showed me that I was capable of functioning independently and overcoming unfamiliar situations. I learned that being away from the people and environments I had always relied on required maturity and a willingness to take responsibility for my own decisions.
That experience changed the way I understood the idea of comfort. I realized that growth rarely happens when everything is predictable. Sometimes, we need to deliberately place ourselves in environments where we are challenged, where we have to learn faster, and become responsible for our own progress. This is one of the main reasons why I chose to continue my university education abroad. I do not see studying in another country simply as a way of obtaining an international degree. I see it as an opportunity to develop myself as an independent person.
There is a principle I strongly believe in: diamonds are formed under pressure.
I do not interpret this as a belief that life must always be difficult, but rather as a reminder that challenges can reveal qualities that comfort never requires us to develop. For me, the difficulties of adapting to a new country are not obstacles standing between me and success. They are a part of the process that will prepare me for it. Studying abroad can, undoubtedly, be demanding, unfamiliar and, at times, exhausting. However, for me, it represents an opportunity to push my boundaries and build a stronger foundation for my future.
I want to be surrounded by people who challenge my way of thinking, be exposed to different perspectives, and be placed in an environment where international collaboration is part of everyday life.
Studying in Hungary is therefore a deliberate investment in my future. I believe that the education and international exposure I gain here will give me a broader perspective and open doors to opportunities that extend beyond one country or one professional environment. Ultimately, I chose to study abroad because I do not want to define my potential by the limits of what is familiar. I want to discover how far I can go when I am willing to adapt and continuously challenge myself.
How I applied for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
I found out about the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship from one of my friends, a member of the FLEX Alumni community, who was at that time a first-year student in Hungary. After spending my junior year in the USA as a FLEX exchange student, I knew I wanted to continue my education abroad, and Hungary became one of the options I considered. Additionally, in 2023 I had the opportunity to visit Budapest, and it has been in my heart ever since.
In November, I applied for the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship. I knew that receiving such a scholarship would require not only good academic performance, but also a clear sense of purpose and evidence that I could contribute to an international academic environment.
I applied for International Business Economics because I had an interest in mathematics since 8th grade, and over time I started to be more and more curious about the international environment. I graduated with a 9.89/10 GPA and four 10s at the Baccalaureate exams, which became an important milestone in my academic journey. I also had a Cambridge English qualification (B2).
Another important part was my motivation letter, where I explained why I chose International Business Economics and connected it to my previous experiences, including taking an Economics course in the U.S. and starting a small online business when I was 15 years old.
After submitting my application, which is usually due mid-January, through the official online paltform (Stipendium Hungaricum Application Portal), I went through the nomination and university admission process, which included an interview and a math test. These are usually held around late March to mid-April, but the exact timing depends on the university. I prepared for questions about why I chose Hungary, why this major, my previous experiences, and my future goals.
In the end, I received the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, and I am now studying International Business Economics in Budapest. Looking back, I think the most important part of my application was showing a clear connection between my academic achievements, extracurricular activities, international experience, and the field I wanted to study.
About the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship offers:
- Full coverage of tuition fees, meaning you do not have to pay for your university studies;
- A monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 (approximately EUR 110) to help cover everyday expenses;
- Free dormitory accommodation or a monthly contribution of HUF 40,000 (approximately EUR 100) towards your accommodation costs (in my case, BUEB does not provide a dorm, but it is very common to rent a room in a shared flat with other students);
- Medical insurance during your studies in Hungary.
However, it is important to keep in mind that Budapest can be quite expensive, especially when it comes to private accommodation, groceries, transportation, and social activities. The scholarship provides financial support, but it may not be enough to cover all of your monthly expenses, especially if you choose to rent a private room or apartment. At the same time, student life in Budapest has many perks. With a valid student ID, you can benefit from significant discounts on public transportation, museums, cultural activities, and various other services. For this reason, when planning your studies in Hungary, it is important to consider having some additional source of funding or personal savings alongside the scholarship. This will make it easier to cover additional expenses and enjoy student life without relying entirely on the monthly stipend.
Why I Chose BUEB?
I chose Budapest University of Economics and Business (BUEB) because it matched both my academic interests and my future career goals. I wanted to study International Business Economics, as I have always been interested in how companies operate across different countries.
Another important reason was the university's practical approach to education. I was looking for a program where I could develop skills that I could actually use in the business world, not only study theory.
The location was also a major advantage. Budapest is an international and student-friendly city, which gives me the opportunity to meet people from different countries and build an international network while studying.
Overall, I chose BUEB because it offered the combination I was looking for: International Business, practical education, an international environment, and the opportunity to study in Budapest. For me, Budapest is not simply the place where I am earning my degree. It is the environment in which I am building the independence and international perspective that I hope will define my future career.
Final Thoughts
My long-term goal is to combine International Business, education, and cross-cultural collaboration. I would like to use the knowledge and perspectives I gain abroad to contribute to the development of educational opportunities for young people in Moldova, especially for women. My experience in the United States showed me how transformative an international educational experience can be, especially for a young person who is still discovering their potential. I am eager to help create similar opportunities for others and encourage young people to explore beyond the expectations and limitations that may surround them.
My journey has taught me that success is not necessarily about being perfect at one thing. It is about being curious enough to explore, courageous enough to step outside your comfort zone, disciplined enough to keep learning, and open-minded enough to allow your experiences to change you.
For me, this scholarship is therefore not the final achievement of my journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. I believe that opportunities can change a person's life, but what matters most is what that person chooses to do with those opportunities. I intend to use mine to continue to build meaningful international connections and, eventually, create opportunities for others.
Above all, I have learned to follow my own aspirations rather than simply follow what others expect from me. I believe that one of the most important things a person can do is to discover their own path and have the courage to pursue it. That principle has guided me from my first volunteering experience to studying abroad, and it continues to guide the future I am building today.
