The Hungarian Student, 1957 (1. évfolyam, 2-8. szám)
1957 / 3. szám
4 Hungarian Student Newsletter THE THOUGHTS OF A HUNGARIAN STUDENT IN SWITZERLAND Taken from the MAGYAR DIAK, the paper put out by the Swiss-Hungarian University Students. When someone asks me what I am studying, I am always very proud to relate that I am studing technology in the Electronics Department, or the ETH. Thinking back on the last two years at home, I see that I had lost my professional drive, since I could not look forward to its future application. The Revolution shook everyone, especially the youth, because for them it held such promise—worth getting excited about and worth living for. Foreign arms may conquer a nation, but they cannot destroy the will of people who are capable of handling their own affairs without outside interference. They may have destroyed our present, but the future is still ours. This is what I am thinking of now, far away from home; this is what gives me peace and courage. During the first days of December, when I was lying on a straw mattress in an Austrian camp, I was able to conquer my inner struggle; I made the resolution that if I were able to study at a university again, I would study with all my strength. I will study so that when I return to Hungary I shall be able to present myself with a clear conscience to my fellow countrymen and prove that I have not betrayed the youth of 1956 and that I have made good use of my years as an emigrant. I will have learned everything that is necessary to build a new and free country. Do not worry, Hosszú, my dear friend, I shall not disappoint you. I am coming along fine and the old wounds are healing in peaceful and safe surroundings. I still get homesick now and then, but I no longer torture myself with useless problems. Life continues even after the terrible tragedy, and I can rejoice over a successful laboratory test, or a beautiful spring morning, or a new friend who does not know our language. I am planning ahead with new ambition, and I am not lingering on thoughts of the horrible Revolution. But I shall stay a Hungarian; and I am planning my future with my people’s wishes and ideals in mind. It is good to imagine that in a few years there will be electric trains in our country and atomic power plants operating on Hungarian uranium and I shall be there too, a Hungarian engineer. Until then, I am studying with zeal. I am happy that I came to Switzerland and that I am able to study at the ETH. Here the people do not constantly repeat that “work is a matter of glory and honor,” but still they love to work; and one can see the results of their work. The Swiss students are industrious and zealous. The so-called day-to-day existence is very rare here, and the balanced and assured Swiss way of life is slowly penetrating into us also. We have great need of this. It prevents us from wasting our time doing useless things. At first the people may seem a little cool and reserved, but underneath one can see the man who is always ready to help and understand our problems. The people understand us. I think that their great understanding for us is due to the fact that their country is small like ours ; this helps them to appreciate our problems better than other people do. The friendship of a Swiss is trustworthy, and he does not give it to everyone. He does not fall into everybody’s arms. I have grown to like these strange surroundings, with their peaceful scenery and good and earnest people. I am glad that I have chosen this for my second home. I am putting out my cigarette with many thoughts in mind. The clock of the Fultern Church has just struck one. When I look out the window I see the splendidly illuminated city peacefully embracing the lake. "Lecsúszott a borítólap, elvtárs.. A borítólapra Marx neve van nyomtatva. A könyv fedelén az eredeti cím van: - Nemcsak kenyérrel... Ez egy új szovjet regény, amely nagy port vert fel, mert burkoltan támadja a kommunista diktatúrát. PUNCH. Ubrmry 27. W7
