The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade invites applications for a 10-month scholarship during the 2018/2019 academic year. The scholarship is intended for individuals of Hungarian origin living outside of Hungary who wish to strengthen their language knowledge and cultural identity.
The goal of the Hungarian Language and Cultural Studies scholarship is to improve the Hungarian language skills and cultural knowledge of young people of Hungarian origin who are citizens and residents of other countries (the so-called “Western diaspora”). The two-semester course takes place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest with the cooperation of the adult education institute of the Ministry.
Young people, between the age of 18 and 35 years are invited to apply. All applicants should have foreign citizenship; those with dual (Hungarian) citizenship are also encouraged to apply. Volunteer work, references from post-secondary institutions, and any other activities related to Hungary or Hungarian culture are taken into consideration in the selection of the applicants.
About the program:
The program consists of language and cultural studies and provides opportunities to actively explore Hungary and contemporary Hungarian culture. In the framework of cultural studies students learn about history, literature, geography, folklore, art history, and social issues. At the end of the program students take a final exam in the above subjects, defend their final essay, and take a Hungarian language exam officially recognized by the Hungarian government. (The level and type of the language exam is decided by the language skills examination board.)
Participants of the program will receive a certification at the end of the program.
Class attendance is mandatory. Should a participant miss classes without cause, or violate the Study and Exam rules or Disciplinary Guidelines, he or she will lose the right to continue the program and the right to dormitory placement. Any individual who has been expelled from the program will have to repay all scholarship received up to that date.
Program duration:
10 months (September 2018–June 2019)
The scholarship includes:
- Full tuition fee
- 45,000 HUF/month stipend
- Free accommodation at the student hostel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (3 persons per room)
- Student ID (offering discounts)
- Health insurance
Applicants are required to pay the following expenses:
- Travel to and from Hungary
- Food and personal expenses
Note: Recommended monthly amount for food and personal expenses is approximately US $250 (300 CAD).
- Language exam fee (ECL B2 or C1: approx. 25,000 HUF)
- Monthly Budapest-pass
- Student visa fee
- Registration fee (US $50)
- Cost of two compulsory field trips (US $600)
Total number of course participants: 20
Deadline for applications: May 31, 2018
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will not consider applications that are submitted after the deadline and/or are incorrect or incomplete. The applications will be evaluated by June 15, 2018 and applicants will be notified about the results by 22 June, 2018. Decisions about the applications are made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. All decisions are binding.
Successful applicants must sign a letter of acceptance of the scholarship. Within seven days thereafter, applicants are liable for the registration fee (US $50) and the fee for the two mandatory field trips (US $600), payable in one amount. Method of payment: personal check (US or Canada) or bank transfer. Checks should be sent to the following address: Hungarian Scouts Association in Exteris, 2850 Route 23 North Newfoundland, NJ 07435 USA.
In case of a bank transfer, the bank account details are the following: Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris; Wells Fargo Bank; ABA Routing #021200025; Account number: 7219453979; Swift code# WFBIUS6S; Bank address: Wells Fargo Bank, NA, 20 Mountainview Avenue, Wayne, NJ, Postal code 07470, USA.
If a successful applicant fails to pay the fee within 14 days after having made the declaration, he or she will automatically lose the scholarship, which will be offered to the next person on the wait list. If, after having accepted the scholarship and having paid the US $650 fee, the applicant decides not to participate in the program, the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris will refund 50% of the fee for the two field trips (US $300) – provided the cancellation is made by 7 August, 2018, at the latest. The registration fee (US $50) is non-refundable. No refunds will be made after 7 August, 2018.
