This spring was a very happy occasion for me, as I received my Master’s degree from Corvinus University of Budapest at the graduation ceremony at the end of March. I graduated as a “Chartered Economist in Regional and Environmental Economics”, i.e. I became an economist. Or rather, I stayed, as I did my bachelor’s degree in economics, but in the last two and a half years I have come to look at this colourful field of study in a slightly different way. My Master’s degree was in Climate and Sustainability, which gave me the opportunity to study in more detail, in addition to urban studies, the global and domestic environmental challenges and opportunities, and to understand their complexity and many facets. My studies were further enriched by spending one semester in Finland, where I gained insights into the different sustainability issues of both small businesses and larger companies through courses at Aalto University. This knowledge, enriched by the knowledge I gained abroad, ultimately inspired a research topic that I feel has helped me to explore an important and topical issue. I wrote my thesis on the comparison of stormwater management in three major European cities, Oslo, Prague and Budapest. My aim was to identify and present international good practices that I believe could be adapted to Budapest, thus increasing the preparedness of our capital to the challenges of climate change and contributing to a more livable urban environment. The thesis passed well and I finally passed the state exam, thus obtaining an honours degree, of which I am really proud.
But that’s not all there is to studying… During my Master’s degree I made important professional contacts, but even more importantly friendships that I believe will stay with me for a long time and for which I feel very lucky. The semester abroad has also contributed to this, as it has enriched me with so many experiences and friends, in addition to my professional development. I think I have had a truly fulfilling career as a student, which might have been less colourful if the Foundation had not supported me during my studies. I am very grateful to the Foundation for the support and opportunities it has given me, thank you!
Dorottya Gaál, Pécs Group 2