Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. július-december (23. évfolyam, 27-52. szám)

1940-11-28 / 48. szám

November 28, 1940

. Verhovayak Lapja

Page 3

My Travels Abroad with the Verhovay

For the first time since our departure from the American shores the group suddenly became disorganized. Many had left Budapest the night before, while on the morning of our leave only a few of us remained together. Enroute to Debrecen with Julius Szalay, Alexander Debreczeni and I were Mr. and Mrs. Julius Siket, their son and daughter, Rose Petro and Mary Fabian who were traveling beyond Debrecen to visit with relatives and friends.

Arriving at the Debrecen station, we took leave of our companions and were met by an instructor of the University, who directed us to the “Tisza István Internátus,” a most modem and up-to-date boys’ dormitory. At the “Internátus” we were assigned a large single room furnished with three single beds and three writing desks for study. After arranging our luggage and refreshing ourselves, we were directed to the main university building. A huge array of the flags of all nations was suspended prominently across the main doorway of the University, adding a touch of color to the stately entrance. The University was named after Hungary’s great statesman, Stephen Tisza. Enormous hallways of white marble, well lighted stairways and the rays of the warm August sun streaming through a spacious skylight, presented a sight of extreme beauty always representative of cultural Hungary. The building, comparatively new and modem in every respect with its large study halls and lecture rooms, is an institution of learning that Hungary and the students who take part in the summer courses can well be proud of.

Our first visit to the main building was to make the acquaintance of the secretary of the University, Dr. Imre Lengyel, and his aide, Imre Bodnar. We (Szalay, Debreczeni and I) were warmly welcomed. Imre Bodnar, who was a professor at the University, furnished us with a schedule of classes and instructions for our stay here. Street car passes, half fare railroad cards and buttons were furnished us, which made our^ program and schedule seem rather simple.

The three of us were not the only Americans at the University, as a group of nine, members of the Re-By Alexander J. Goydan

formed Federation of America, arrived before us. It was a pleasure for us to meet fellow Americans.

The next day, being Sunday, was a day of rest for the majority although the foreign students took advantage of the open day to make a tour of the “Nagy Hortobágy” (Great Plain). Szalay and Debreczeni decided to see the sights of Debrecen while I went to visit with my relatives whom t had seen only twice since my arrival, and then only at short intervals. In the city of Kisvárda, only three to four hours from Debrecen, is where these relatives of mine lived. Returning to Debrecen in the evening, I decided to travel the fastest way on a Diesel powered train named the “Huba.” The “Huba” is de luxe equipped and used by the well-to-do and by business men who have to travel in speed. The riding time was cut practically in half but the fares were twice as high as on the fast express.

Monday morning the task of study really began. An early awakening, breakfast at the ’’Internátus,” and we were at the University building. The hallways were a beehive of activity, with international students hurrying to their classes which had begun.

were used at any of the three places designated. Groups congregated at the “Vigadó,” “Angol Királynő” or the “Arany Bika.” We had no complaint about the food, nor did the students of the many foreign lands fmd fault. We loved to eat while listening to the fine Hungarian melodies of gypsy violins.

During the course of our studies time was provided to visit the famed Déri Museum,

We were privileged to attend any classes we wished. The early classes were attended by students from Germany, France, Italy and Poland, who were studying the Hungarian language. Lectures were in the languages above in addition to Hungarian. A partial list of subjects discussed were: The Hungarian Mind at Work, Hungary’s Cultural Background, Hungarian Literature and History, Hungarian Mind, Hungarian Writers, Political Science, The Returned Upper Hungary, Claims Against Rumania, Hungary’s Position in World Affairs, Hungary’s Connections in America, and many others.

In spite of the extra heavy curriculum time .was found to peruse our studies while basking in the warm sunlight at the Strand or while relaxing under the shade of the trees of the “Big Forest” (Nagy Erdő). Friends were many as the international students mixed and were full of the gay atmosphere of old Hungary. Our lunch and supper tickets

the medical clinic of the University, and to see movies of educational value. Classes were from eight in the morning to one in the afternoon and from four thirty in the afternoon to seven thirty in the evening. An educational society of Debrecen, known as the “Turul Szövetség,” presented an interesting “Writers’ Night” or “Irodalmi Este,” at which the writers and poets presented their writings to the audience of international students. I have yet to witness such a program in this country where writers will be as well appreciated and applauded as they were that night at the Debrecen University.

A concert recital was also given in our honor. The famed members of the Royal Hungarian Opera, Gyurkovics Mária and Littasy György, sang duets and solos which entertained the group immensely.

Days passed like hours, and with the course of study we had we were determined to attend all classes and lectures so that we would not miss any information that would be required for cur success in the examinations which were already on our toes. The date of the examinations were finally announced, and we prepared ourselves for something none of us had ever experienced before. Our examinations consisted first of a written composition on a given subject which could have been anything from the life of Louis Kossuth to a composition on the life of Hungarian Americans in The United States. The assignments were not easy for we were corrected on grammar as well as consistency on our papers. Oür instructors of the previous weeks were the judges in the grading of the papers. Upon grading the papers we were informed as to the particular type of certificate of merit which we could qualify for, of which there were three. Briefly they were: “A Magyar Nyelvmesteri Oklevél,” the examination in writing to be in Hungarian as well as an oral test which would qualify the person to teach the

Hungarian language to anyone; the second, “Magyar Tanulmányi Bizonyítvány,” allows the person to be examined in any foreign language, both in writing and orally with reference to Hungarian Culture and Civilization; the third, “Látogatási Bizonyítvány,” merely certifies that the person has teen a student at the University.

Of these three certificates of merit the first is the one most aimed at but seldom acquired due to the great degree of knowledge neéessary. Passing the written examination is only a steppingstone to the oral test which is given before a beard of from three to six judges. Any or all of these men question you with reference to matters pertaining to grammar, geography, climate, history, literature and writers of thousand year old Hungary. After finishing with this board of examiners you know that you’ve been through a real test.

Of the twelve Hungarian Americans attending the University five or six attained the high ranking certificate qualifying them to teach the Hungarian language. To date in The United States there are only about eight of these certificates.

The closing days were busy cnes for us. A festivity of nations, at which the students of the foreign countries dressed in thennative costumes and presented songs and dances of their motherlands was held. The “Arany Bika” Gold Room was the site of this gala celebration. Debrecen University supplied the refreshments which were “fagylalt” (ice cream) and black coffee. Following the festivity there was dancing until the early hours of the morning, and students of now enemy nations mingled fraternally with one another.

The afternoon of the final day was marked by a special banquet in the main university building. The meal, prepared by excellent chefs,

lasted from twelve noon to three afternoon, with the faculty heads and high ranking officials of the Department of Education in attendance. Speeches were well in order and the various group leaders spoke for their groups in appreciation of the fine treatment all received.

Commencement day finally arrived. The great hall ot Debrecen University was crowded with the youth of many lands and visitors eager to see the always impressive graduation day. Distinguished professors bearing their chains of office about their necks, followed by halberdiers in medieval uniform, made their way slowly to the platform of the grand professors. An opening speech by the headmaster, a farewell to the students of many lands, and a warm welcome to return to beautiful Hungary and Debrecen University, was heartily expressed. The awarding of diplomas to “Magyar Nyelvmester”-s, honor students, and then the group leaders thanking the hospitality of the University officials and professors in the accented Hungarian as spoken by the students of Norway, Sweden, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Fiance, Belgium. Finland, Estonia, Yugoslavia, Holland and America, followed. Commencement was over and we prepared our luggage for departure to Eudapest on the afternoon train. The University was moving its headquarters to Budapest for sight-seeing, touring, and the elaborate celebration of St. Stephen’s Day in August.

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