From Kazakhstan to Global Opportunities: Malika’s Story at the University of Pécs

Today, having recently graduated in January 2025, she looks back at her journey with gratitude—and a firm belief that her time in Pécs laid the foundation for her career and her global mindset.

Finding Her Path: Choosing the University of Pécs

Choosing a university is rarely an easy decision, especially at 18. For Malika, the process was chaotic at first, but the University of Pécs stood out for two reasons: its international accreditation and its welcoming environment.
 “I did a little research, and Pécs felt cosy and right for me. Plus, the fact that the Business Administration program was accredited made a big difference,” she said.

Coming from Kazakhstan, studying in a fully international environment was a new experience. But it turned out to be one of the best decisions she could have made.

Adjusting to a New Life

Adjusting to a new country, language, and education system wasn't easy. “The first few weeks, I was excited and confused all the time,” Malika admitted.
 Learning to study entirely in English, tackling subjects like Microeconomics and Information Systems, and adapting to a new academic structure took effort.
 “I used to spend 12 hours in the study room of the Research Centre just to keep up. But the curriculum was well-structured — it built us step-by-step so we could handle more advanced topics later.”

What helped her adjust? Finding good friends early on. “Meeting my group of friends on the very first day made everything easier. We were experiencing everything together,” she shared.

More Than Studies: Building Skills Beyond the Classroom

Rather than limiting herself to just academics, Malika wanted to fully experience student life—by building connections, developing leadership skills, and giving back to the international community at Pécs.
 “From the very beginning, I knew I didn’t just want to study and go home. I wanted to be involved, to meet people, and to contribute to the environment that made me feel welcome,” she explained.

From becoming the Student Representative for her cohort to taking leadership roles as Treasurer at ESN Pécs and Co-founder of International Student Organization (ISO), Malika fully embraced the opportunities available.

Each organization became a mini-world where she developed communication, leadership, and teamwork skills—essential soft skills that would later prove invaluable in her career.

Balancing studies and extracurriculars wasn’t always easy, but with careful time management and the support of her fellow students, Malika made it work.
 “Everyone at Pécs understands the student rhythm—midterms, finals, everything. So we planned events around our academic schedule, and that helped balance everything.”

Launching a Career: How Student Life Led to Professional Growth

Malika’s active student life didn’t just fill her resume—it directly contributed to landing her first major internship.
 Through her networking activities in ESN and ISO, she connected with professionals who referred her to opportunities. Eventually, she secured a finance and accounting internship at FrieslandCampina, one of Hungary’s leading companies.

The journey wasn’t instant. It took a year and a half of refining her CV, seeking feedback from professors and peers, and developing her skills.
 “I realized early on that being active in student organizations made a huge difference. When companies see you’re involved, they know you can work in a team, take responsibility, and handle tasks beyond academics,” she explained.

Her experience in university organizations, particularly handling finances as Treasurer, made her a perfect fit for her internship role.

Tip for students: "Your CV isn’t just about courses. It’s about showing who you are through your activities, leadership roles, and the real-world skills you’ve developed."

The Power of an International Environment

Studying in Pécs’s international environment had a huge impact on Malika’s confidence and career.
 “It wasn’t just about learning subjects in English. It was about learning how to communicate across cultures, understand different viewpoints, and work in diverse teams,” she said.

Today, working remotely as a Junior Accountant for a company based in Cyprus, Malika credits her smooth professional transition to the skills she built at university.
 "I’m working with people from different countries every day. Thanks to my time at Pécs, communicating across cultures feels natural. It’s not just about language—it’s about mindset."

Memories That Last

When asked about her favorite memory, Malika smiled and shared a story about organizing a Barbie and Oppenheimer party at Pécs’s popular student venue.
 In classic student fashion, when they couldn’t find a photo booth stand, they improvised—turning a giant piece of cardboard found on the street into a creative, themed photo stand.

“It wasn’t perfect, but it worked, and the students loved it. That’s what student life is about—finding solutions, having fun, and building memories.”

A Faculty That Cares

Malika spoke passionately about the Faculty of Business and Economics and how it actively supports its students.

“The professors listen to us, they adjust based on student feedback, and they genuinely care about our growth,” she said.

Among the many professors who influenced her during her studies, Malika especially credits Prof. Dr. András Takács, her accounting professor, for inspiring her professional direction.
 “He had this ability to make even the most complex concepts simple and relatable,” she shared. “He didn’t just teach accounting as a subject; he made us understand its importance in the real world. I remember him telling us that ‘the foundation of any strong business is accounting’—and that really stayed with me.”
 This encouragement helped Malika see accounting not just as a course requirement, but as a potential career path that combines analytical thinking, organization, and real-world application.

Final Advice to Students

If Malika had one piece of advice for future students, it would be simple yet powerful:

"Don’t overthink it. Just do it. Apply for the university, apply for that organization, go for that internship. Problems will come—and you’ll solve them when they arrive. Don’t let fear stop you from reaching your dreams."

Looking ahead, Malika is excited to continue building her skills, exploring the world of accounting, and enjoying the adventure that started with one brave decision to study abroad.