Taste the World: International Flavours  and Cultural Encounters in Veszprém

“Taste the World” is an event jointly organised by the University of Pannonia’s Faculty of Economics and Veszprém-Balaton 2023 Plc: international students present their cultures through the cuisines and
foods of their native lands and short informative talks held on the spot.

Guests to the programme have the opportunity to taste Russian, Kazakh, Cambodian, Mongolian, African, Bangladeshi, Korean, Indian, and Hungarian dishes. The event is part of the University’s
International Week.

As candidate to the European Capital of Culture title, Veszprém considers it especially important to present to the general public the town’s international student life. Closer and deeper knowledge of
various national cultures is an important point for encounters between peoples.
“We are really looking forward to how the international students are going to introduce themselves – they can finally wear their national costumes and talk about the world they have temporarily left behind to be able to get to know us,” – said dr. Edit Kővári, International Communication lecturer of the University, and chief organiser of the programme. “All students’ suitcases will contain their favourite spices to help them conjure up tastes of family foods or follow cooking habits of their closer communities. When a special dish or drink is served at the table, it is like leafing through the family photo album. I cannot decide what gives a more wonderful experience: smelling the exotic aromas of the spices or looking at the radiantly proud faces and watching how international students will eventually exchange flavours.”

The Faculty of Economics of the University of Pannonia has been organising International Week every autumn for several years now: its aim is to create the spacial atmosphere for students that evokes the genuine spirit of internationality and encourage students to be part of a wider world, leaving behind everyday routine. During International Week all classes are held in foreign languages; presenters are invited from abroad and their ranks are joined by business partners who can bring with themseleves an impression of the intercultural atmospheres of multinational companies. Students are encouraged to use their university years to travel and visit other tertiary education institutions or take on jobs while at university, because these will work to boost their self-confidence. One of the most popular programmes of International Week is by now almost traditional at the Faculty. A special feature of “Taste the World” is that this time it is not experienced chefs that cook exotic dishes, but it is students who show each other their home country’s flavours.