Hey everyone! I'm Sercan from Türkiye, currently a first-year BA student majoring in English and American Studies at ELTE, where I also volunteer as an international student ambassador. In this blog, I’d like to share how I stay active while balancing my studies through sports like fencing and hiking at the university’s sports club.

Being a university student is exciting and full of opportunities to learn and grow, but it can also be demanding at times. Between studying, attending lectures, and preparing for exams, it’s easy to feel stressed or overwhelmed. That’s why staying active can make a big difference in maintaining both physical and mental well-being. 

At ELTE Sport Club, students have the opportunity to participate in many different sports activities while attending the university. One great advantage is that many sports courses can be taken for academic credit. This means that students can stay active while also making progress in their studies. These courses are usually available each semester, and they offer a fun way to balance academic responsibilities with physical activity. 

Another important point for international students is that you don’t need to worry if you don’t speak Hungarian. In many cases, you can communicate with the instructors in English, which makes the activities accessible and welcoming for students from different countries. 

The sport club offers a wide range of activities, from team sports to individual training. Some of the options include hiking, fencing, basketball, aerobics, yoga, pole fitness, swimming, table tennis, football, taekwondo, ice skating, jazz dance, and many more. To explore even more sports options, students can easily search on Neptun using the respective VTN subject codes. This way, you can find detailed information about each course, its schedule, and how to register

My Experience: Hiking 

Personally, I especially enjoy hiking. Hiking has allowed me to explore many beautiful places in Hungary while studying here. For example, I have visited places like Esztergom, Tokod, Lake Balaton, Budai-hegység, Piliscsaba, and a few more! These trips are a great opportunity to discover new cities, natural landscapes, and hidden gems of Hungary while spending time outdoors with other students.

My Experience: Fencing

I really love fencing. Back in Istanbul, I practiced regularly, but when I moved to Budapest for my studies, I had to take a break. However, I was happy to find the opportunity to continue fencing at ELTE. Fencing requires focus, quick thinking, and discipline, which surprisingly also helps me stay concentrated during my academic work. The classes are fun and social, giving me the chance to meet new people while improving my physical fitness. 

Participating in sports during university has many benefits. Physical activities help reduce stress, improve concentration, and support overall physical health. They also create opportunities to meet new people and build friendships outside the classroom. In addition, balancing sports and studies helps students develop 
better time management skills, which can be very helpful during hectic academic periods.

For me, being active through fencing and hiking has become an important part of my university experience. It provides a perfect gateway to step away from academic pressure, recharge mentally, and return to my studies with more energy and focus.

See you in the next blog!