From Kyrgyzstan to Budapest: My Journey with the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

Hello! My name is Elina Sultanbekova. I am originally from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and currently completing my second year of undergraduate studies at Corvinus University of Budapest. I study International Relations under the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, a full-ride program jointly supported by the Government of Hungary and the Ministry of Education of Kyrgyzstan. Stipendium Hungaricum operates through bilateral educational cooperation agreements between Hungary and the governments of participating countries. Overall, there are over 90 sending countries involved! To check if you're eligible, simply visit the official website and see if your country is on the list: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/partners/.

Why International Relations? Why Abroad?

My decision to get a degree in international relations came from a strong interest in development, international cooperation, and global policy. I believe that Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia have so much to offer and should be more visible in global discussions, not only in trade and security dialogues, but also in development cooperation, sustainability, and regional integration. Studying abroad was a strategic choice: I wanted to understand how international institutions work from the inside, gain firsthand experience, and later apply that knowledge in a meaningful way, whether through working for my government or contributing to international organizations.

That’s why I applied for Stipendium Hungaricum. Studying abroad, especially in Budapest, a city that brings together students from all over the world, gives me exposure, perspective, and the tools to bring positive change back home.

Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Details

The Stipendium Hungaricum program covers full tuition, two types of health insurance (Hungarian national insurance + supplementary private insurance from your university), and a monthly stipend of 83,000 HUF to cover dormitory expenses and some living costs.

My Educational Background

Before university, I completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) at Bishkek International School, where I studied on a 90% merit- and need-based scholarship and graduated with a GPA of around 3.9/4.0. I also received a Kyrgyz state high school diploma, completing the national curriculum in parallel with a perfect 5.0/5.0 GPA. So yes, two diplomas, one tired but happy student!

What I love most about the IBDP is that it doesn’t just shape good students, it shapes good thinkers. Not only did it train me to think critically and globally, but it also prepared me academically for university life. It taught me how to write research papers, balance extracurriculars, and develop a voice of my own, all of which helped my application tremendously.

The Application Process

The scholarship application process consists of two stages. First, you need to submit your application through the official DreamApply portal to the Hungarian side. You can choose up to two programmes (at the same or different universities) in your Stipendium Hungaricum application. Simultaneously, you apply through your national sending institution; in my case, the Ministry of Education of Kyrgyzstan — and then, if nominated by them, your application is reviewed by the Hungarian side. I had to prepare two recommendation letters, a motivational letter, my IELTS results (7.5 overall), proof of health, a clean criminal record, and my academic transcripts.

At the second stage, Hungarian universities will evaluate your application and may organize interviews or entrance exams (varies by institution/programme). I had an interview with the faculty of international relations at Corvinus University, where I was asked about my academic interests, current international events, and my motivation to study in this field.

What Made My Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because of the combination of strong academic results and meaningful extracurricular achievements:

• Strong academics: I ranked among the top 10 social science applicants from Kyrgyzstan in the nominating stage, based on my GPA and IELTS score.
• Leadership and extracurriculars: This was my biggest asset. While still in high school, I served as an external debate coordinator at the American University of Central Asia and took part in university-level debate tournaments. I also volunteered for the Teens.kg media project under UNESCO and was one of four Kyrgyz students selected for the U.S. TechGirls Program, a State Department summer exchange initiative.

Opportunities That Came with Studying in Europe

One of the most valuable aspects of studying in Europe is the access to a wide network of international and regional opportunities. Thanks to the support of my scholarship and the university, I’ve been able to participate in:

• Erasmus+ short-term exchange programs in Riga (Latvia) and Istanbul (Turkey) — both 10-day programs funded by the European Union. These exchanges allowed me to gain cultural exposure, attend professional training workshops, and collaborate with other young people from across Europe.
• My university also offers academic platforms to grow as a student. Just last week, I took part in our scientific conference, where I presented my research paper and was awarded first place in my section.
• I also served as a mentor for new international students and as a member of the International Advisory Board at the Student Union, where we worked on improving the student experience for non-Hungarian students at Corvinus.

These experiences have shaped not only my academic path but also my professional goals and personal confidence.

What I Would Have Done Differently

If I had to go through the process again, I would be more careful with document submissions. Seriously. At one point, I submitted only one out of two required medical forms because of a technical issue on the platform. Thankfully, the Tempus Public Foundation contacted me, and I had two days to resubmit everything. If they hadn’t reached out, I could have lost the opportunity entirely. So I always advise future applicants to double- and triple-check every upload.

My Advice to You

For those considering the Stipendium Hungaricum or similar scholarships, here’s my honest advice:

• Don’t aim only for good grades; aim to build depth. Take on long-term leadership roles, get involved in community or international initiatives, and don’t just join programs; contribute meaningfully to them. Don’t just list surface-level activities. Go deep. Show long-term commitment. Show results. Show leadership.
• Start early and stay organized. Give yourself time to prepare documents.
• Write your motivational letter with clarity and sincerity — explain not just what you’ve done, but why you’ve done it and why you care.

Show that you’re not only a good student, but also someone who wants to contribute to your country or field after graduation.