My name is Nurgul, and I am currently studying in Budapest, Hungary. I am a third-year student at Corvinus University of Budapest, where I study Data Science and Business.
Before coming to Hungary, I studied at Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Aktau for six years. After graduating, I was accepted through Stipendium Hungaricum, a governmental scholarship provided by Hungary.
Although my program is technically a single major, it feels like a combination of two fields because we study data science, business, and economics together. For me, that combination was one of the main reasons I chose this path.
Why I Decided to Study Abroad
When I was in school, studying abroad was not as clear or accessible to me as it may seem to students now. I knew that there were universities abroad, but I did not always know where to start, how to prepare properly, or which opportunities were realistic.
At that time, I had several main options. I applied to Pusan National University in Korea, where I received a scholarship that covered three years of study. I also considered Türkiye Bursları, Nazarbayev University and Hungary through Stipendium Hungaricum.
I chose Hungary for several reasons. First, it is in Europe, and I always liked the idea of traveling and exploring different countries. Second, I was interested in data science and artificial intelligence, which was just starting to gain momentum at that time. My current major was also very new, and I became part of the first generation of students in this program.
Why Corvinus University of Budapest?
I chose Corvinus because it felt like one of the most modern universities in Hungary. Compared to some other universities, which may still follow a more traditional education system, Corvinus seemed more liberal and closer to a Western style of education.
Another reason was the university’s reputation and funding. Many Corvinus alumni work in strong positions in business, government, and international companies. Because of that, the university has a strong network and more resources.
The third reason was my major itself. At that time, I did not see many universities in Central Europe offering the same combination of data science, business and economics. Since I wanted something practical and connected to the future, Corvinus felt like a strong fit.
Application Process & Academic Profile
The application process for Stipendium Hungaricum has several stages. First, applicants apply through the Stipendium Hungaricum platform. Then, Kazakhstani applicants also submit documents through Bolashaq, because the Kazakhstani side participates in the selection process.
In my case, I first had an interview with Bolashaq. After that, there was also a university selection process, which included either a test or an interview depending on the major and university.
When I applied, my GPA was around 4.8. My IELTS score was 7.5, and my SAT was around 1420. However, the SAT was not required for Stipendium Hungaricum. Each university usually has its own selection process, so the requirements can differ.
For my major, I had to take a math and logic-based exam. It was not extremely difficult. For business-related majors, some students had interviews instead of tests.
What Matters in the Application
To be honest, I still think the selection process can feel a bit random. However, there are several things that can help.
For the Bolashaq interview, I think it is important to show that you are planning to return to Kazakhstan or at least contribute to the country in the future. Since Kazakhstan is involved in sending students through this process, they want to understand how your education can later benefit the country.
Another important point is language. During the interview, it is better to start in Kazakh. Since this is connected to Kazakhstan’s selection process, they expect applicants to know Kazakh. If needed, you can later switch to Russian or English, but starting in Kazakh can make a good impression.
Extracurricular activities also matter, but I think they should be relevant. If you are applying to a tech-related major, it is better to mention activities connected to STEM, programming, hackathons, or personal projects.
In my application, I wrote about STEMqyz, my AI club at school, and different hackathons, including Microsoft and Samsung hackathons. I also mentioned personal projects, such as small applications and websites I built. I had also participated in MUN, but I did not focus on it because it was not directly connected to the field I wanted to study.
Academic Life at Corvinus
My academic workload at Corvinus has been manageable. Of course, studying data science and business still requires effort, but compared to students I know in more intense universities or engineering programs, I have more flexibility.
I can study, work, participate in hackathons, attend conferences, and still have time for side projects. For me, this balance has been one of the best parts of studying in Hungary.
However, this also depends on the major. Some engineering programs in Budapest are known to be very difficult. For example, at one of Budapest’s main technical universities, some students struggle with certain courses and may have to extend their studies. So I would not say Hungary is automatically easy. It depends a lot on what and where you study.
In my case, I feel like I have a good work-life balance.
Student Life in Budapest
Budapest has been a very comfortable place for undergraduate life. Compared to many other European capitals, it is relatively affordable. Grocery prices are similar to Kazakhstan, and although rent can be expensive, sharing an apartment makes it more manageable.
The city itself is big, but not overwhelming. It feels easier to adapt to than many larger cities because you can still find your own place and community. There are many international students, as well as a strong Kazakh and Kyrgyz community, which makes it easier to feel at home.
Outside the classroom, I also had many chances to get involved. I founded a data science club at my university, joined different events, went to conferences, and participated in hackathons.
The main challenge was the language. Hungarian is very different, and even though many people in Budapest speak English, there are still moments when knowing the local language helps. As a Stipendium Hungaricum student, I studied Hungarian for two semesters, which was useful for basic everyday communication.
Overall, Budapest has felt like a place where I could adapt quite naturally. It is international without being overwhelming, and that made it easier to build a life beyond university.
Internships, Opportunities, and Future Plans
One thing I learned is that students should not rely only on the university. A university can give you knowledge, professors, and a network, but many opportunities still come from your own initiative.
Most of the opportunities I found came through personal effort and the community around me. I am currently doing my second internship, and I have also participated in hackathons and attended major IT conferences in Hungary. Budapest has opportunities in IT, business, marketing, media, and other fields, especially because many international companies have offices there.
As I approach my final year, I have started thinking more seriously about life after graduation. Staying in Hungary can be difficult because of visa and work requirements, although some students stay for work or continue with a master’s degree. Personally, I would like to explore opportunities further west, possibly in the UK or the United States, because I want to keep growing in a new environment.
Still, I think Hungary is a very strong place for undergraduate studies. It offers a balance of education, affordability, and travel opportunities.
Advice for Applicants
My biggest advice is: do not be scared to talk to people.
When I was younger, I sometimes felt like I was the least experienced person in the room. But with time, I realized that people do not judge you as much as you think. What matters is being open, curious, and willing to communicate.
Hard skills are important, especially in fields like programming, data science, or business. But soft skills are just as important. Many of my internships and projects happened because I talked to people.
This also applies to high school students planning to study abroad. Do not be afraid to reach out to university students on Instagram, LinkedIn, or other platforms. Most students are happy to help because they remember how confusing the process was when they were in high school.
Studying in Hungary taught me that opportunities do not always come only from universities or official programs. Very often, they come from people.
