How Kosovar Student Earned a Fully Funded Scholarship to One of Europe’s Oldest Engineering Universities

My name is Arbenite Canaj, and I come from Kosovo, a small but vibrant country located in southeastern Europe. It is a land rich in history, culture, stunning nature, and steady progress across many fields, with most of its population being ethnic Albanians like myself. Currently, I’m pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), one of Europe’s oldest institutions to train engineers at the university level. This opportunity, made possible through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, has opened doors to academic excellence, cultural exchange, and the chance to pursue my ambitions with confidence.

Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Details

The Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary’s most prestigious government-funded scholarship. Unlike other scholarships, applicants must be pre-selected by their home country’s official Sending Partner (typically the ministry of education) as part of an intergovernmental agreement. Successful recipients receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing aid, and health insurance throughout the entirety of their program. In 2025, the program received 80,000 applications, highlighting how competitive and sought-after the opportunity is. Thanks to this scholarship, I am able to pursue my Bachelor’s degree at BME.

Alongside this, I was also fortunate to be accepted with full or partial scholarships at several other respected institutions, including Constructor University in Germany, Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, the American University in Bulgaria, and a full-ride scholarship at the RIT branch in Kosovo, which also comes with the opportunity to spend one semester in the United States.

Educational Background

Up to this point, it had been a journey shaped by curiosity and exploration. I attended Hasan Nahi Gymnasium, a natural sciences high school, where I also earned a scholarship to enroll. During my time there, I participated in a variety of competitions and science olympiads both within Kosovo and internationally, in Tirana, London, and beyond. These experiences exposed me to diverse challenges and allowed me to develop skills beyond the classroom. I graduated with a 5.0/5 GPA and was actively involved in extracurricular activities and school clubs.

Throughout high school, I remained open to different fields, whether that meant directing a short film, working as a world news translator, or engaging in engineering and computer science projects. These varied experiences were part of a broader effort to better understand my interests and potential. As I moved forward, I began to recognize a stronger pull toward the world of technology and started focusing more intentionally in that direction. Still, I believe that the overall openness to exploration, combined with academic dedication and involvement, played a key role in strengthening my university applications and ultimately led to my acceptance into several institutions.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Budapest University of Technology and Economics? 

At first, I approached standardized tests as strict measures of one’s skills. But as I began preparing more, I realized that these tests are just as much about understanding strategy and mastering test-specific techniques as they are about, say, language ability itself. Through focused preparation and practice, I was able to score 100 on the TOEFL and 140 on the Duolingo English Test, both widely accepted by international institutions at the time.

When it came to preparing for university applications overall, I found that the process is shaped by several important factors. One of the most crucial is understanding what you’re looking for, whether you’re aiming for specific institutions, focused on a particular country, trying to balance academic goals with financial feasibility, etc. For me, financial support was among the priorities. I knew I wanted to study abroad without additional financial burden, so scholarships became a central part of my research. That meant not only identifying universities that offered strong academic programs, but also understanding which ones provided the kind of funding I needed.

This phase required a lot of independent research, digging through university websites, reading student blogs, reading reviews, and reaching out to students. I also attended sessions of an advising center, which proved to be a valuable resource for navigating the application process, understanding timelines, and organizing my materials. Overall, it was time-consuming but incredibly rewarding, and it taught me how much clarity and alignment matter in the application process.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship?

As I mentioned above, the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship differs slightly from standard application processes. Applications must first undergo the home country’s designated authority and be nominated before moving on to the next stage. Once nominated, you proceed with additional steps such as taking university-specific entrance exams, interviews with the admissions committee, and completing any further institutional requirements.

For the application itself, I had to provide all standard documentation, including personal information, a motivation letter, extracurricular involvement, records of competitions, medals, awards, standardized test scores, and my high school diploma & transcripts. Within this scholarship framework, applicants are allowed to select two universities in Hungary. If accepted into your first-choice university and awarded the scholarship, you commit to that institution. If not, your second-choice university is automatically considered.

I was fortunate to be accepted by both of my chosen institutions, and ultimately, I committed to my first choice, BME.

Other Scholarships – Overall Experience

Beyond this specific program, I received scholarship offers from other international institutions, so I ended up going through several different application processes. One thing that helped a lot was reaching out to people who had already gone through them. Whether it was former scholarship recipients or current students at those universities, hearing their experiences gave me clarity that no official website could. Another point that I would highlight is that your motivation letter/personal statement, or any kind of essay required, should never be generic. Taking the time to understand each university, their programs, culture, values, academic focus, and scholarships helps you write something that actually connects. I found it really useful to read about the professors, student experiences, and even course structures to see how my interests could genuinely fit in.

And when it comes to timing, starting early really does help. I’ve seen people who pulled everything together in the final 24 hours and still got accepted or received scholarships. But that doesn’t work for everyone, and it leaves very little room to explore your options or put your best foot forward. If anything, giving yourself more time means you can create more opportunities, make more informed decisions, and submit with less stress.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

It’s hard to say with certainty what exactly made my application stand out, the selection process isn’t always transparent, and many qualified students apply. But looking back, I believe it may have been a combination of factors rather than one single element.

I tried to show consistency between my academic background, extracurricular involvement, and future goals. I was intentional about reflecting that in my motivational letter, making sure it wasn’t just a summary of achievements, but a narrative of what drives me and where I see myself heading.

More than anything, I tried to be real in my application, not aiming to present myself as perfect, but as someone genuine. I believe trying to appear flawless can actually take away your authenticity and make you seem less unique, when in fact, everyone has their own story and value just as they are.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I wouldn’t change much about the actual application process because I feel I gave it my best effort with the knowledge I had at the time. That said, looking at the bigger picture, I do wish I had discovered what I love doing earlier and started focusing on it sooner. But even so, I’m glad for all the experiences that led me here.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply To Study Abroad?

I’ve touched on some advice already, but one of the most important things I’d emphasize is: don’t hesitate to ask for help. Have a career advisor at your school? Go ask them for guidance. A professor in your field of interest? Befriend them. Is there an advising center in your town? Visit it and get their support. Do you know someone studying abroad? Reach out and ask about their experience. There’s an event happening nearby? Attend it.

Actively seek out and join communities related to your goals, field, or study plans. These networks open doors and expose you to opportunities you might not find otherwise. You never know who you might meet, what you may come across, or what might motivate or inspire you, so don’t be afraid to take that step.

And if you don’t have these resources nearby, remember we live in an era where knowledge and connections are just a few clicks away. Use the internet to its fullest potential: research, join forums, attend virtual events, and make it your strongest tool to connect with the world.

If I can share one last thought, it’s that I used to worry a lot about how things would turn out. But now, I genuinely love the way everything unfolded. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the amazing people I’ve met from all around the world. So do what’s in your hands, give it your best, and let the rest fall into place. You might even end up somewhere better than you had planned!