The Faculty of Economics celebrated its newest graduating cohort with a festive ceremony and a joyful reception on 25 June 2026.

While this summer’s graduating cohort was fairly small, guests from all over the world (from Vietnam and China through Bangladesh and Nigeria to nearly nearby North Macedonia) filled R Aula and spirits were high. 

The event followed the classical pattern of international graduation ceremonies at ELTE GTK: speeches were made by ELTE’s Vice-Rector for International Affairs (Professor Gábor Zemplén, formerly GTK’ Vice-Dean for International Affairs until 2025, who knew several of the graduates personally since their admissions exams and also met them in his classes), the representatives of the graduating cohort (Rita Albittar from Syria) and the students staying behind (Yeonji Jung from South Korea), as well as of the Student Union (Gergő Fitos). 

Three graduates (Grace Modupe David from Nigeria, Nowshin Tabassum from Bangladesh, and Vu Diem Ngoc from Vietnam) reminisced about their time at GTK and in Hungary. While they mostly shared unforgettable happy memories with the guests and the faculty representatives, they did not hide the difficulties they faced upon arrival. As one of them put it,

When I first arrived in here, I came alone. No familiar faces. No familiar routines. No idea what life here would really look like. Just a suitcase and a quiet thought that said: “Let’s try.” The first days were not easy. Everything felt new at once — the city, the language, the system, even simple daily things…… But slowly, life started to take shape. Not suddenly, not dramatically, but quietly through small routines. … And somewhere along the way, ELTE stopped feeling like a foreign place. It became part of my everyday life. (Vu Diem Ngoc)

Among the benefits, most graduates referred to their academic and, perhaps, even more importantly, personal growth they had experienced,

We came here carrying suitcases, documents, fears, and probably at least one food item from home that we were convinced we could not survive without. …We arrived in a new country and university, surrounded by people whose stories, languages, and cultures were different from ours…. And slowly, whether we knew or noticed or not, we changed. We became more independent. We learned how to solve problems that our younger selves would have immediately taken to our parents. We learned how to make decisions, how to get lost and still arrive, how to misunderstand and then try again. (Rita Albittar)

The most memorable moments of the day were the presentation of the diplomas by Dr László Szívós (GTK’s Director of International Affairs and Programmes) and Professor Zemplén, and when the graduates performed the traditional throwing of the mortar boards, the ultimate celebratory symbol of completing an academic journey. 

Numerous photos were taken by family and friends, as well as the faculty, and finally, the ceremony concluded with a cheerful reception of local and international delicacies.  

Dear Graduates, the shift from student to graduate is now complete. Go and embrace the world, tackle whatever you have planned. We wish you success and happiness in your new life!

Enjoy our collection of the best photos taken during the ceremony and the reception and watch our short video on FB, as well!