Tarique Katuntu

Tarique Katuntu from Ugandan and hi study architecture at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.

What was your motivation to study in Hungary?

The truth is, the main reason I came to Hungary was that I was given an opportunity to study here. Things I learned to like about Hungary, I learned after I came, and day by day, I kept finding different motivations to help me keep studying here.

Tell me something interesting about yourself.

I don’t know if I am an interesting person. Most of the things that are interesting to me might not always be interesting to a lot of people but the few things that I think might come off as interesting are drawing, writing sometimes and occasionally playing tennis with friends. I like to believe I’m optimistic but some days get the better of me but that’s how life is. We find a reason to keep pushing even on the bad days.

How do you spend your free time?

Doing things I find interesting. I love playing tennis. It makes me feel like I can still be an athlete. Maybe in another life, I would have been one. I exercise. It’s not something I always took seriously but realized how important it was after I started. If you take care of your body, it takes care of you. I like to draw. I don’t do it as much as I wish I could but when I do it’s fun. I love visiting my friends. I have a bad habit of showing up unannounced sometimes. I’m thinking about working on it. And finally, I like learning new things. It helps me feel like I’m moving forward.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Doing what I love. I’ve had my fair share of experiences doing student jobs I loathed and I’ve come to understand the importance of being in love with what you do. I hope in 5 years I will be sitting in my office or room surrounded by peers in a country I love, working together to make something great. Something that adds value to society. Cliche but it’s my hope.

Did you have any challenges regarding cultural differences?

Of course. The language barrier has been the biggest problem I have faced so far. In terms of day-to-day interactions, the people are generally nice and it hasn’t affected me that much but as international students, the opportunities we get are limited because of the language barrier and you could end up finding incredible and talented students who can’t fully utilize their potential because of this. Sometimes learning the language can take more time than the students have available to stay in the country and the few opportunities that are available for students are in Budapest. If there was something I would wish for, it would be more working opportunities for international students in their respective fields.

Is there anything you particularly enjoy in Pécs / Hungary?

The size. I can literally walk through the city in less than a day. Every place I need to go is a walk away. It’s not too crowded, I hate crowded places though sometimes it depends on the location. There are plenty of spots to take a walk and get your mind off the problems you had over the day. Orfu. I went there for a trip with a group of friends and while we were canoeing looking into the sunset towards the end of the lake, it felt like something out of a Microsoft wallpaper. Those ones with the beautiful landscapes of nature. It almost felt unreal and I loved every second of it.

What do you like about our Faculty?

The location. Some might concur but that walk up the hill has done wonders for my cardio. On a more serious note. I’d say the people. There’s always someone to help and they don’t hesitate to do so. Everyone is kind and welcoming.

Can you tell me something in Hungarian? Do you practice Hungarian? :D

Nem beszélek Magyarul. I used to study it in my first year but chose to continue with German because it gives more options to work in terms of countries, Hungary included. Though I’ve always found it funny when someone tells you they don’t speak the language while saying it in the language with an accent. It’s like going to the UK and someone asks you if you speak English and you say you don’t speak English while using a British accent. It must tend to be very confusing but funny.