Nokulunga T Maziya

Studying in a foreign country was an emancipating journey, both academically and personally. It was a journey that gave me so much more than a master's degree. I learned a lot about who I was, and my view of the world was enhanced for the better. Moving to a new country was scary, but the DHET provided us with the much-needed support, which made everything easier and less scary.

The University of Pecs became my home for two years and provided many opportunities. One of these is the opportunity to present my abstract at the XVI Janos Szentagothai Conference for students. In February of 2020, I got nominated to attend a 14-day research conference at the University of Würzburg in Germany. Before that, I was never one to stand up in front of a crowd and present or speak; however, studying in Hungary changed me completely. The opportunities given to me during my studies empowered me to gain confidence, not only in myself but also in public speaking.

I am from Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. I did my Bachelor's degree at Rhodes University. After that I completed my BCom Hons in Industrial Psychology at UNISA. In 2018, I was successfully awarded the Hungaricum Stipendium scholarship by the Department of Higher Education (DHET) and the Hungarian government. I completed my Master of Sciences (MSc) in Human Resources Counselling at the University of Pecs in Hungary in June 2020. I returned to South Africa in July of 2020 after completing my studies.

Since then, I've written my board exams and successfully registered as a Psychometrist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). My most rewarding working experience has been working for an NGO as an Intern Psychometrist with children from disadvantaged backgrounds who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I currently work as a Junior Consultant at a start-up company, Nefertiti Consulting. This has been an enriching experience and I am excited to be a part of the team.

The biggest lesson for me about studying abroad was that anything is possible and there is so much to learn about the world. It is, however, important to set personal goals so you never forget your reason for going abroad. It's easy to get lost in social life, travelling, and having fun and forget about your studies. Life abroad will take adjusting to; the culture and the way of living is different. Take this as an opportunity for growth and self-actualisation. Do not be afraid to make friends with people from different cultures and to learn about their different way of life. Times will get tough and when they do, do not be afraid to reach out to other fellow South Africans. I have created life-long friendships with fellow South Africans that I met during my time in Hungary.