William Penn Life, 2009 (44. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2009-12-01 / 12. szám
Hungarian Room Committee Summer Scholars Each year, the Hungarian Room Committee of the University of Pittsburgh awards financial assistance to students enrolled at the university to help defray their expenses for their summertime studies in Hungary. This year, the committee awarded grants to two students: Deborah Rogers was awarded the Dr. Samuel C. Gomory Memorial Scholarship, and Izabel Galliera received a special Hungarian Room Committee Grant. What follows are accounts of their experiences while studying in Hungary this summer. Digging Deeper Discovering the depth of Hungarian food, culture and life on a return visit to Budapest by Deborah Rogers The Hungarian Nationality Room generously granted me the opportunity to complete research for my master's degree in East Central European History. My thesis seeks to understand the connections between food and nationalism in 19th Century Hungary. I study a variety of sources, including cookbooks, recipes, newspapers, popular literature and even travel logs. Each source offers a glimpse into the history of Hungarian food, which served as an expression of nationalism, and became an avenue to construct a national identity. While in Budapest, I conducted research in the National Széchényi Library, the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture and the Central European University Library. The archivists and librarians at each institution were extremely helpful, and with two months dedicated to research, I found the sources 1 needed to complete my thesis. My time in Budapest was integral to the success of my research project, and I am grateful to the Hungarian Room Committee for the opportunity to research abroad without financial worries. My time in Budapest not only afforded me opportunities for growth in my academic career but also allowed me to experience Budapest in new ways. I was lucky enough to live in Budapest as an undergraduate student several years ago, and I thought those six months had provided a well-rounded experience in Hungary. So, I boarded the plane this past summer reminiscing on my favorite things about Hungary, excited to go back and experience them again. But, this summer I was pleasantly surprised to discover new things about the city, the rich cultural history, and the Hungarian people. The food was still delicious, and the city still buzzed with life. The parks were still beautiful. But, there were parts of the city that were new to me as an older, perhaps more mature, graduate student. My interests had changed. When I studied abroad as an undergraduate, I chose Hungary because of my father's ancestry and because it was a more unusual destination than France or Spain, where most of my friends were studying abroad. I was looking for adventure, and I found it. But, this time, I was returning to Hungary looking for a deeper understanding of the history and cultural life of Hungarians. I was looking for a different kind of adventure-less time in a dance club and more time in conversation with Hungarians. I was interested in learning the language, not just for basic survival skills, but in order to communicate with and learn from Hungarian friends. I found myself in a new niche of Budapest, which offered me a much richer understanding of Hungary and its multifaceted cultural identity. Budapest surprised me in its ability to grow and change with my interests, never leaving me disappointed. When I sought a deeper cultural understanding of the city and its people, I was rewarded with the opportunity to meet excellent friends, learn from people in passing conversations on the street, and see Hungary in a different light. I am eager to return and continue to unearth the beauty of Budapest. 14 William Penn Life, December 2009 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Deborah Rogers is in her second year of graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Arts and Sciences. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Rhodes College. She intends to teach at either the high school or college level.
