Hungarian Students Share How Their Internship at UC Chile Transformed Their Lives
Blanka and Noemi, two students from Hungary, arrived in Chile for a three-month internship in Special Education at the UC Interfaculty Program. Little did they know how profoundly this experience would change their perspective on life.
photo_camera Blanka Illés and Noemi Juhász are students in the András Pető Faculty at Semmelweis University in Budapest.
An Unexpected Opportunity
“We received an email from the Erasmus exchange coordinator about an internship opportunity abroad. We thought, why not give it a shot?” said Blanka Illés.
Blanka and Noemi are students in the András Pető Faculty at Semmelweis University in Budapest, where they specialize in conductive education to mitigate motor disorders caused by neurological conditions.
Their participation in this exchange was made possible by the Erasmus+ program, which connects universities like Semmelweis and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC).
“The role of Erasmus+ scholarships is fundamental in fostering connections with Europe, enabling students, academics, and professionals to engage in research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange while broadening their worldview. These initiatives inspire new approaches to higher education in Chile from a global perspective,” emphasized Lilian Ferrer, UC Chile Vice President for International Affairs.
First Impressions
Although Blanka and Noemi did not have a clear idea of what their study plan would entail, as both their program in Hungary and UC Chile’s Special Education program are relatively new, they eagerly anticipated an enriching and meaningful experience.
“I was surprised to learn that this is the most prestigious university in Latin America. We love how flexible people are here. Even though our Spanish isn’t great, they created a program we could fully participate in, overcoming any language barriers,” shared Blanka.
After a few weeks, the Hungarian students noticed some unique aspects of UC Chile’s educational approach.
“In Hungary, we have practical sessions every two weeks, but here, almost every class feels like a practical session. It’s as if you’re experiencing what you study in real-time. It’s incredible,” noted Noemi Juhász.
Noemi also highlighted the close relationships between teachers and students at UC Chile: “It feels like professors and students are part of the same team, with no rigid hierarchies. It’s amazing.”
“Maybe we should start something similar in Hungary.”
Victor Romero-Rojas, Coordinator of Research and Academic Development at the UC Chile Down Syndrome Center and Executive Director of Fundación Mawen, noted that these activities challenge traditional teaching methods, emphasizing body movement and spatial awareness as key tools for communication and expression.
“These methodological challenges allow students to experiment with space, improvisation, and physical contact, fostering a creative and empathetic learning environment,” explained Romero-Rojas.
Blanka and Noemi found these experiences deeply rewarding, as there are few spaces in Hungary where people with disabilities or Down syndrome can socialize.
“My favorite part of the week was Monday evenings at UC Down, where we had dance classes with adults with Down syndrome. The atmosphere was magical— I felt so happy and connected through these exercises. I want to start something similar back home or even bring the whole group to Hungary,” said Blanka enthusiastically.
The transformative impact of this experience led both students to consider initiating similar projects in their home country.
“Maybe we should start something similar in Hungary,” said Noemi, to which Blanka confidently replied, “Yes.”
Would They Recommend an Internship at UC?
After their exchange, Blanka and Noemi reflected that the most valuable lesson wasn’t an academic concept but a new mindset.
"We learned how to study more efficiently. Classes don’t have to be about professors telling us what to study and writing nonstop. Here, there’s real connection and dialogue, and it makes learning so much more effective. I love that. The mindset here is the best thing we’ve learned,” said Blanka.
When asked if they would recommend the experience, Noemi was unequivocal:
“We’ve built a completely new life here. We’ve made new friends in a caring, safe environment where we’ve been supported since day one. This has been the best experience of my life, and I’ll never forget it.”
Blanka added, “There’s really no other way to answer this. Our lives have completely changed. Honestly, we’ll return home as completely different people from when we arrived here.”
This journey highlights the profound impact of participating in international collaboration programs, which open doors to the exchange of knowledge and cultures.
“We were talking about how, when we leave, we might leave a part of ourselves here. But honestly, I think it’s the opposite—we’re taking a piece of Chile back home with us,” reflected Blanka.
