---

As a member of the recruitment team, she represents the university at international fairs and during admissions processes. Her work was recognized with the “Emerging Excellence” award at the National Meeting of International Coordinators 2025. In our interview, she shares how she found her place in supporting international students and what motivates her in her daily work.

Helga BORSOS-VÁLI ,Emerging Excellence” Award-winning Coordinator (m) Richárd BODROGI, Director-General, Tempus Public Foundation (TPF) (r)

Could you introduce your role in supporting international students?

Helga BORSOS-VÁLI , "Emerging Excellence” Award-winning Coordinator

As BUEB’s Stipendium Hungaricum and the Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship’s international coordinator, I am often the first point of contact for students and colleagues when issues arise, such as questions regarding internships. I maintain close relationships with the SH mentor organization leaders and mentors, assisting them with administrative matters and ensuring that every scholarship student is aware of their additional academic obligations, allowing the mentors to support them effectively.

What motivated you to start working with international students?

It wasn’t a deliberate career strategy that led me to work with international students, but rather a favourable professional opportunity: after returning from England and raising two young children, I found an open position in BUEB’s office handling Asian partnerships. I found the role aligned well with my interests and qualifications, and I quickly felt that the environment matched my values and skills. I have always sought work where I can focus on human relationships, where communication, support, and problem-solving have a tangible impact on others. In this field, human-centeredness, professional challenges, and the dynamism of an international environment converge – that is what truly motivates and drives me.

Alongside your full-time job, you also taught English to very young children. How have the skills you gained as a teacher influenced the way you support international students?

My teaching experience has had a significant impact on how I support international students today. Working with young children taught me how to explain even complex processes in a simple, structured, and understandable way, which is a huge advantage in communicating with students. Patience, flexibility, and empathy are also competencies that prove especially useful in a multicultural environment.

Could you share a memorable story where you helped an international student feel at home or overcome a difficulty?

A very recent example comes to mind: a graduating student, despite meeting all academic requirements, appeared unable to complete their mandatory internship on time due to legal constraints. The internship colleagues clearly indicated that the student would not be able to take the final exam under these circumstances. Fortunately, I was able to coordinate with the colleagues and the student in time to find a solution, allowing them to participate in the January final exams and the February graduation ceremony without disruption.

Have you faced any challenges in supporting international students, and how did you handle them?

Since this was my first full year as an institutional coordinator, the greatest challenge was understanding the administrative system and grasping the logic of the tasks. I invested a lot of energy in familiarizing myself with the processes and the system established by the previous coordinator. Over time, I developed a working method that is more transparent and efficient at the institutional level and aligns well with the continuously changing BUEB environment. The continuous support of our Tempus contact was also invaluable. Beyond understanding processes, I considered it important to ensure smooth collaboration between the international team, the institutional coordinator role, and partner organizations – a process that has seen significant development compared to previous years.

How do you manage your responsibilities while staying motivated on a day-to-day basis?

My motivation comes primarily from the fact that almost every week brings new student questions and situations that are unprecedented. These challenges create new collaborations and connections with colleagues, keeping the work fresh. In addition, my tasks are extremely varied: knowing that each new task requires different skills maintains my interest. It is this variety, the continuous learning opportunities, and the daily teamwork that inspire me. This is how I can approach my work with energy and curiosity every day, because there is always something new that makes it exciting.

Which achievement or moment are you most proud of in your coordinator work?

Beyond the immense recognition of receiving the coordinator excellence award, I am proud of our team’s performance over the past year because I can honestly say that we had a challenging but rewarding academic year.

What makes BUEB a place where international students feel welcome and supported?

BUEB consciously offers community experiences that go beyond the classroom. Regular excursions and city tours, such as visits organized by BEE mentors to Gödöllő or Tihany, allow students to gain insight into Hungarian culture, customs, and traditions. Extracurricular activities and university events, notably the Intercultural Christmas and Easter events organized by the international team and attended by hundreds of international students, help students feel part of the community while building new relationships and unforgettable experiences.

How do you envision the future of international student support at the university?

I consider it important to continuously monitor the student voice and integrate feedback so that services truly meet students’ needs. In the long term, I aim to further develop the mentor programs – both the SH and the institutional BEE mentorship programs – and international student representation, as these contribute to students’ professional and personal growth and help them feel at home at the university.

Overall, my goal is for support to go beyond problem-solving, actively promoting students’ success and well-being in every aspect of academic life.

Fotó: Szamler Roland

Last modified: 12-01-2026