Students and Alumni Get Together

by Cynthia Nwaiwu

Every spring and fall, students from over twenty countries attend McDaniel College Budapest to pursue a courses in different areas of interest. This diversity brings into existence a unique and fascinating relationship among students, making the school a better place to learn. When high school seniors visit McDaniel College Budapest, they are hoping to make the right decision that could change their lives. All these things were taken into consideration, and the need to invite the alumni back became obvious. A dialogue with a graduate provides the opportunity to ask questions from someone who has been there, had experience and is now working towards his or her goal.
The get-together which took place in room 220, on 18th March, 2010, at 5:45pm involving five alumni, and undergraduates and a faculty member. The alumni were: Orsolya Bader, class of 2009, Peter Gazda, (2008), Andre Butler-Payette (2009), Dadvey Zargaran (2008) and Estefania Luraschi (2009). A lot were discussed during this Open Forum. A political science major, Orsolya Bader, who is still on the go and engaged in job hunts, and keeping her options open, happily shared her thoughts and recommended Geneva to political science major students who would later want to do internships or work in this field. She said, ‘‘Geneva is a good place for you.’’ Andre Butler-Payette supported her idea as he had an internship at the Human Rights Council Geneva, and has also worked for the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees. He commended McDaniel College Budapest for making his courses interactive, creating friendships and close bonds that still exist after college.
Dadvey Zargaran, now married, encourages students not to give up in whatever difficulty they may face in their studies.
Peter Gazda, who was already in law school before graduating, views life to be more much difficult outside of college due to competition. ‘‘I am happy I got a great theoretical background in political science, which is a good basis that I can rely on’’, he said.
Estefania Luraschi is currently working in a chemical company as an account receivable collector. She is also looking forward to graduate school and tells students who are interested in going to graduate school to start searching early. She wished she had known more about graduate schools before graduating.
Most of all, the Alumni appreciate the great amount of information and experience the got from McDaniel College Budapest’s professors. Dadvey Zargaran noted: ‘‘I learnt good things from them.’’
The forum ended with Dr. Mathew Adamson’s request from the Alumni to help in listing the do’s and don’t that new students should know about Hungary. The list ranged from learning about Hungarian national holidays and culture, to understanding the social norms of European university students. It was fun to see former classmates reunite. Refreshments weren’t an exception, as we popped champagne and ate sandwiches. How else could we have enjoyed this reunion?