Szent István University is famous for its high-quality agricultural education in Hungary and its programs are highly popular among the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holders as well. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, foreign students had to change their plans for the summer. Instead of travelling around, the SH students of Szent István University decided to launch an initiative with the name „International Students Community Garden” to grow plants, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Students from 13 countries took part in the project, including Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Russia, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Syria, Peru, Mongolia, Ghana, Sudan and Azerbaijan.
The students received land for cultivation from the Gödöllő Agricultural Center (GAK Kht.) on the territory of its horticultural experimental farm. Also, the project was supported by SZIU International Relations Centre with agricultural tools, plant seeds and seedlings. The garden is divided into several beds where numerous plants, such as potatoes, peppers, zucchini, watermelons and all kinds of vegetables are grown.
Seeing the great success of the project, the long-term plan is to involve Hungarian students too as a leisure time activity, which is also a good chance to know each other better and build the students’ community.
Links and sources: Szent István University