Budapest Fellowship Program Concludes Its First Year

2020/2021 Budapest Fellowship Program Participants: George Bogden, Ryan Brockhaus, Nicole Nemeth, Stephen Sholl

Aiming at strengthening US-Hungarian professional, academic and cultural ties and at cultivating the next generation of Hungarian experts in the US, the Budapest Fellowship Program has concluded its first year.

Throughout the last ten months from September last year, BFP Fellows Nicole Nemeth, Stephen Sholl, Ryan Brockhaus, and George Bogden have taken part in more than 45 lectures, have discussed more than a dozen Hungarian books and films, have taken part in a series of Hungarian language classes, and via a set of excursions, discovered various areas of Hungary and the Carpathian Basin.

My time in Hungary, working under the guidance of Mathe Aron with the Nemzeti Emlékezet Biztottsága has been a blessing in every sense of the word. The sheer amount of information I have learned from both him and the other esteemed members of the organization has illuminated my understanding of Hungarian history more than I could have possibly imagined. In fact, the entire Program has led me to have a deep appreciation of Hungarian history, culture, and nationhood that is quite remarkable. I have never had people open their arms to me before and share with me the riches and blessings of their culture before, and I am honored by this. – Stephen Sholl

Utilizing the opportunities brought to the table by their established host institutions, the four fellows have concluded their individual researches done with the help of their mentors — therefore contributing greatly to the understanding of Hungary and Hungarian-related issues in the US, and building further US-Hungarian ties. Fellows’ publications appeared in Hungarian and in US media outlets, shedding light on the importance of history, current events such as US-Hungarian defense cooperation, the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and issues connected to the rights of (ethnic) minorities. Besides these all, Fellows also took part in the educational activities of Mathias Corvinus Collegium, one of the Program creators.

It is important for Americans to educate themselves on the history of Central Europe and in ways which the bi-lateral relationship can improve. This program recognizes this need and provides the tools necessary for Americans to better understand CEE, particularly Hungary. – Ryan Brockhaus

Throughout the year, the two BFP creators (the Hungary Foundation and MCC) were lucky to work together with such dedicated institutions like Nemzetpolitikai Kutatóintézet, the Danube Institute, the Committee of National Remembrance, University of Public Service – Ludovika, Office of the Hungarian National Assembly, and Ulysses Hungarian Language School.

After the conclusion of the Program, Nicole and George will go back to the US to practice law, Ryan will continue to pursue and finish his studies, and Stephen will come back to Hungary in the fall of the year to continue his discoveries in Hungary, this time in the capacity of MCC’s visiting fellow.

We absolutely fell in love with Hungary, while we had the chance to get to know first of all Budapest, but then other parts of the country as well. The people are very nice, warm-hearted and welcoming. – Nicole Nemeth

For me, the highlights of the program were the people – my co-Fellows, my mentor, and the speakers. I learned the most from interactions with them. I have already recommended the program to others. It is like no other fellowship out there. It envelopes participants in a schedule of fantastic opportunities and eye-opening experiences. – George Bogden

Group photo of all dinner guests

Fellows and their mentors

Zoltán Szalai, MCC

Stephen Sholl with his mentor, Máthé Áron

Stephen Sholl closing thoughts

Nicole Nemeth

Nicole Nemeth with her mentor, Zoltán Kántor

George Bogden closing thoughts

George Bogden with his mentor, István Kiss

Ryan Brockhaus

Ryan Brockhaus with his mentor, Balázs Mártonffy

Great atmosphere at the closing dinner tables

Zoltán Kántor, BFP mentor

Klára Breuer, NKE

Group shot of BFP participants with family and staff

In September 2020, the  Hungary Foundation together with Mathias Corvinus Collegium (Budapest, Hungary)  established the Budapest Fellowship Program, a full-time, fully-funded transatlantic fellowship opportunity in Budapest, Hungary, for young American scholars and professionals.

The goal of the 10-month program is to cultivate the next generation of American policy professionals and equip them with a thorough understanding of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Hungary.  The fellows will have an opportunity to conduct independent research on the topic fellows choose independently while gaining practical experience working at a Hungarian host institution that matches their professional interests.

Publications by Budapest Fellowship Program Participants