She was born in Canada but moved to Arizona, US, at the age of 7. She got her degree at the University of Arizona but decided to continue with her studies and applied for the Diaspora Scholarship Program. Erika Rozsnyai, 21, with strong Hungarian background chose to study at Pázmány Péter Catholic University where she pursues courses in political sciences. She is so very excited about living in Budapest that she feels like she's been living here ever since. A magyar nyelvű interjúért kattints ide!

Have you visited Hungary before?
Yes! I visited twice before moving here this year.

What were your ties to Hungary like?
I've always felt like I've had strong ties to Hungary, even before moving here. As I mentioned previously, my entire family is Hungarian, so I've always been exposed to the language and the culture. Even though I grew up in North America, my parents always prioritized our background and family history. Now that I live here, I feel like I've been here my entire life.

What made you decide to come to Budapest to pursue your studies?
I had always wanted to live and study in Europe, especially Budapest. In the past, I was always amazed by the city. In my final semester of completing my Bachelor's degree, I was presented with the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship program by a family friend. They suggested that I apply, and since I was thinking about graduate school, I decided to try. Once I was accepted, I decided that I wanted to go to Budapest and take a chance.

Are you happy in Budapest? How do you feel about Pázmány?
I am extremely happy in Budapest. I love the city and how alive it is. There is always something to do, and the people are great. As I alluded to earlier, it's very refreshing to be connected to my roots and experience the culture firsthand. Similarly, I love Pazmany as well. The atmosphere is great, and so are all of my peers/professors. I feel like I'm receiving an excellent education and such a unique experience.

What places have you visited since you arrived in Budapest?
Since being in Budapest, I've had the opportunity to visit many places and landmarks. I've been to landmarks such as the Hero's Square, Buda Castle, St. Istvan Basilica, Parliament, and more. I have also been able to visit cities such as Gyor and Debrecen.

Is there anything you haven't experienced elsewhere and you find unusual? Have you experienced anything funny or appealing in your relationships to fellow Hungarians or in your everyday life?
As with moving to any new place, I have had many new experiences, especially with the language. However, because of my Hungarian background and previous visits, I would say I was somewhat prepared. Generally, in my relationships with fellow Hungarians, I find that they are very accepting and friendly, which has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. They make me feel like I've known them for years, rather than just a few short weeks/months.

What do you like most about Pázmány?
It is a little difficult to choose just one aspect, but I would have to say that I really like how diverse it is, in terms of the people and the content. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with people with various backgrounds, which has been excellent. Furthermore, there are so many programs and interesting courses that I've never had the opportunity to learn about in my previous schooling. I think this is one of the greatest aspects about studying in a different country.

What would you tell young people they should apply for the scholarship for? What does this scholarship mean to you?
I would say that applying for this scholarship is a chance for a new and exciting opportunity, in ways they can't even imagine. It is a chance to live in a new country and pursue an excellent education of course. However, it is also an opportunity to grow as a person. In my case, this scholarship has meant a lot to me. It has been an incredible way to pursue higher education, which I wasn't sure I would be able to do. Furthermore, I have developed a lot as a person already, and I've learned so many new things about myself.

Apply for the Diaspora Scholarhip Programme here.