WINONA LAKE — Five Grace College faculty and staff members recently returned from a visit to the school’s partner institution, Károli Gáspár University, located in Budapest, Hungary.
The visit, which lasted from Feb. 7-11, allowed representatives from both schools to reconnect, discuss general education course exchange and brainstorm additional opportunities for partnership.
"At Grace, we open the door to international education both on our campus and around the world,” said Dr. Lindsey Richter, director of the Institute of Global Studies at Grace. “The partnership between Grace and Károli Gáspár, one of the largest Christian universities in Hungary, has provided rich cultural learning experiences through exchange semesters and short-term trips. As our partnership grows, we are excited for additional opportunities to welcome Károli students and faculty on our campus and to explore new summer programming for Grace students in the beautiful city of Budapest."
Richter was joined on the visit by Dr. Pat Loebs, professor of communication who has previously spent a semester teaching at Károli in fall 2019, and Dr. Jared Burkholder, professor of American and world history. During their visit, Loebs and Burkholder both presented papers at Károli’s International Academic Conference: "Social Science Aspects of Social Media.”
Also participating was Deborah Wilhite, program coordinator of the Institute for Global Studies, and Dr. Ryan Johnson, director of general education. While Wilhite connected with her Hungarian counterparts to streamline cultural exchange opportunities, Johnson began developing a number of Humanities Core course equivalencies, making transferabilty between the two institutions much easier.
All five participants took part in a formal meet and greet with Károli Gáspár’s Rector, Prof. Dr. László Trócsányi. Every member of Grace’s delegation reported what an honor it was to have face time with such a prestigious individual, according to a news release from Grace College.
"It was a lovely experience to meet with the faculty of a Christian university that, although on another continent, share our love for Jesus and our commitment to academic excellence that we have here at Grace College," said Johnson. "We have begun the process of simplifying the transfer of course credit for our general education courses, and given the quality of the faculty we met with and the extent of their cooperation with us so far, I believe we will succeed."
The Grace faculty and staff also attended Golybal, a freshman ball at Károli, as well as the orientation week for international students.
Since the partnership between Grace and Károli was established in 2017, 10 Grace students have chosen to study at Károli for a semester.
“Studying at Károli Gáspár was an extraordinary experience for me, both educationally and personally,” said Kyrsten Newlon, a 2021 Grace graduate who studied in Hungary during her last semester of college. “While there, I had the opportunity to meet and learn alongside students from so many different cultures. The professors were as invested in exploring cultural differences as we were. Studying abroad is a significant decision, and it's not one you should take lightly. But I cannot imagine being where and who I am without those experiences.”
Grace has also hosted several students from Károli Gáspár on its campus. Currently, Bogi Trocsanyi, of Pécs, Hungary, is in Winona Lake taking criminal justice courses at Grace.
“I knew two students from Grace who were studying at my school a year ago, and hearing about their experience convinced me to apply,” said Trocsanyi. “I have always wanted to study abroad, specifically in the U.S., so I was really excited about this opportunity.”
According to Trocsanyi, her favorite part of studying abroad has been making new friends and getting connected in the Grace community.
“Our time in Hungary was encouraging,” said Richter. “We are thankful for the relationships we have at Károli Gáspár and the opportunities the partnership offers for students from both institutions. We are committed to advancing this partnership for the glory of God.”
To learn more about Grace’s Global Institute and study abroad opportunities, visit www.grace.edu/academics/undergraduate/study-abroad/, and to learn more about Károli Gáspár University, go to english.kre.hu/.