On 21 November, approximately 600 international students attended the 5th International Ball of BME. The ball was organised by the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and the BME International Mentor Team (IMT) with the professional support of the International Relations Directorate (NKI).

Former mentor Nicholas Rodgers MC’ed the event, and the students were welcomed by Bíbor Írisz Klekner, director of NKI, and András Nemeslaki, vice rector for international affairs, describing the international community as a colorful carpet and emphasising the importance of collegiality.

The welcoming speeches were followed by the traditional crowning of the prom king and queen: Simon Vital was elected prom king and Gulnaz Rakhmanova prom queen. The students elected Raiyyan Zabir as Mentor of the Year, while Anna Györgyi was elected IMT Mentor of the Year.

Once the champagne glasses lined up at the entrance were filled, we toasted together to mark the official opening of the evening. This was followed by a Hungarian folk-dance performance, which was received with great enthusiasm by the students interviewed. “These events bring international students closer together,” a French student said.

Meanwhile, in the main hall, students were already twisting and turning in a large snake formation, trying to master the dance steps by watching the feet of the person in front of them intently and holding onto their shoulders tightly.

I noticed a boy dressed in traditional Nigerian Yoruba clothing, who turned out to be of both Hungarian and Nigerian descent. “I feel that no matter where I am in the world, I am never alone, thanks to this community,” he said about his BME connections.

After the Creative Fun Creation and Audioride concerts, the BME DJs kept everyone who still had energy dancing until sunrise.

Rector’s Office, Communications Directorate