The Hungarian Student, 1957 (1. évfolyam, 2-8. szám)
1957 / 4. szám
The Hunqarian Student 11 The Beginnings of Our Association T hree hundred Hungarian students were learning the English language during January and February at Bard College in the State of New York. Before separating from one another, they decided to keep in touch. They founded an organizing committee to communicate with Hungarian students in the United States who wished to continue their education, and to help them keep in touch with one another and help each other with the problems of living in a new country. After the language course was completed, the Organizing Committee went to Cambridge, Massachusetts. They established an office with help from American students and from organizations. Three of the original group of seven worked to raise financial support for the group, while the other four continued their job of organizing the students into an Association. First of all, names were collected, and circulars and printed informational bulletins were sent out. A campaign of protest on behalf of those remaining behind in Hungary was begun. A clothing drive netted packages worth $31,000, which were sent to Hungary. Members of the group made appearances to request aid for the Hungarian refugee students. One of the students spoke about events in Hungary at 94 universities and colleges. He collected more than $100,000. Not long after the temporary Association was organized, it became affiliated with international university organizations. One member joined the European representatives of the Hungarian refugee students and went to Asia, where audiences were also told of the Hungarian students’ great desire for freedom. The group Mr. Andre Varchaver (Columbia University) follows the speeches through an interpreter. told too of the murderous attack which drowned this freedom in blood. They spoke for their Hugarian brethren, who have been cursed with silence, to the freedom-loving Asians. A half-year was required to officially organize the Union, before its first Congress. At the Congress the temporary Organizing Committee reported on its most important assign-The Convention Leaders. ments and turned them over to the new leadership. Our most important task was, and still is, that we sway American public opinion to understand our situation and give us aid for more education. Everywhere we tried to inform the public that the Hungarian students are in more difficult circumstances that American students and initially need more help. The Hungarian students have no families to aid them, and, in most cases, the students must send help to loved ones who remained behind. They do not understand the English language and the methods of instruction are unfamiliar. Under these conditions, study, tuition fees and earning living expenses exceed the capacity of the student. They should at least be granted admittance and have their tuition waived so as to maintain their position. The citizens of our host country should be informed that we are also studying for those brethren who stayed behind in Hungary and for those deported to Siberia, because we will Comments comprise the connecting link between our liberated Hungary and the Western nations. Our knowledge will serve the interests of the United States as well as our native land’s development. To date, 466 university students have been assured the opportunity to continue their education. Aid organizations have announced that in the fall another 315 will be assured acceptance at a university, plus living expenses. The AHSUS has given itself an almost impossible goal : to assure 420 more students that they will begin the fall semester. There are 200 students who cannot begin the fall semester, either because of language difficulties or because they do not have suitable preparatory background. “This is how our work at Bard College began. . .
