I applied for the Nationality Study Scholarship last academic year announced by the State Secretariat for Church and Nationality Relations of the Prime Minister’s Office, which was awarded this spring. The awards were presented by Miklós Soltész, State Secretary for Church and Ethnic Relations, to us, the students of the Koch Valéria School Centre and the Leöwey Klára and Miroslav Krleza Secondary Schools. The aim of the competition is to support pupils from nationalities who wish to contribute to the preservation of traditions through the transmission of knowledge and culture, both now and in the future. I have been awarded this scholarship because, in addition to my excellent academic results, I have participated and achieved national results in numerous German and local history studies competitions, my school choir regularly performs at national events and I sometimes write poetry in German, inspired by German and German literature in Hungary. I am glad that I can go to a German nationality and bilingual school, because learning languages, especially German, gives me many opportunities; it has allowed me to get to know the culture and traditions of my ancestors more deeply – which has meant a lot in the development of my personality and identity – and to be part of a cohesive community. I encourage all my fellow students to see languages not just as a subject, but as a tool, a new link to others.
The event can be viewed here:
Mária Karl, Pécs Group 2