On October 13th, the Hungarian Embassy hosted a welcome ceremony for incoming Hungarian exchange students to Josai. In accordance with last year’s event, the ceremony was held to commemorate those students arriving on the Mizuta Noriko Hungary Scholarship to study at either Josai University or Josai International University.

Attending this year’s ceremony were the aforementioned Hungarian exchange students (5 from Josai University and 13 from Josai International University.) as well as Japanese students who have experienced study abroad in Hungary or are currently studying the Hungarian language, making 27 students in all. Many officials from the embassy, including newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Istvan SZERDAHELYI, Ambassador and others were also present at the event where attendees engaged in conversation over an impressive spread of Hungarian cuisine.

Ambassador Szerdahelyi, having also studied abroad in Japan as a college student and later worked as head of the Japanese department at Eötvös Loránd University, is respected as a pioneer of Japanese studies in his home country. Naturally, many of the Hungarian exchange students who have come to Josai in the past were former students of his. Ambassador Szerdahelyi, in his introductory remarks to the students, stated with great emotion that, “Just like all of you, I also had the tremendously valuable experience of coming to Japan as an exchange student. At that time I had a dream that there would someday be a time when many Hungarian students would come to Japan to study a wide array of different subjects and be active in their respective fields. Seeing all of you here today, I feel as though my dream has become a reality.” Chancellor Mizuta Noriko then addressed the audience by saying, “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Ambassador Szerdahelyi for his contributions to the field of Japanese studies. Thank you very much for hosting this splendid welcome reception. I am greatly pleased to observe the development of students from year to year, along with the deepening of Japan-Hungary exchange.”

Afterwards, two representatives from the Josai-Hungary Student Friendship Society provided introductory remarks, thereby opening up the floor to lively conversation. During the discussion, Josai International University graduate student and former student of Ambassador Szerdahelyi, Balint Anna Erzsebet (of Eötvös Loránd University) revealed that she has been selected for an internship at the Hungarian Embassy.

In closing, as an expression of gratitude and commemoration of the strengthening of Japan-Hungary exchange, Chancellor Mizuta presented a “kazusakakutako”－a decorative kite with a gold carp design that has been officially designated a traditional craftwork from Chiba prefecture－to the Embassy.