Introduction
My name is Ádám P., I am a fourth-year PhD student and an intern at the CEA. I come from Slovakia, and my alma mater is the Charles University in Prague, where I studied law.
How was the application process?
The application process was straightforward and smooth. The CEA staff remained in constant contact with us and were quick and helpful whenever any questions or difficulties arose.
How did the move go?
Since my hometown in Slovakia is relatively close to Budapest and has good connections to the Hungarian capital, my move wasn’t a traditional one. On the first day, I arrived with just a suitcase, knowing that if I needed anything later, I could easily bring it with me on my next trip home.
Where do you see yourself in a few years and how will the CEA help you on the way?
For a long time, I have had the plan to pursue my professional career both in practice and in the academic sphere after completing my PhD studies. I believe this dual approach is truly helpful for understanding and comprehending how law works both in practice and theory. However, in order to reach the goals set by your dreams, you need hard work, knowledge, and good connections. The CEA internship program (and its partnership with the PhD program at the University of Miskolc) offers excellent opportunities to acquire the latter two (I’ll explain in more detail a few questions down). As for hard work and persistence, that’s always up to us.
Was there anything you worried about before you came?
Since I am coming from a nearby country, speak Hungarian, and was already familiar with Budapest and Hungary, I didn’t have any major concerns. Of course, when entering a new environment, there is always some uncertainty, mainly regarding how well you’ll be able to fit in and perform in the new surroundings. In my case, these concerns quickly faded, thanks to the friendly atmosphere and the helpfulness of my colleagues.
If someone new joins us, we all do our best to make their integration as smooth as possible, whether it’s regarding work, bureaucracy, or even everyday matters, even if they are not familiar with the country or the language – we know from our own experience what kind of help might be needed.
What is everyday life like at the academy?
The relationship with colleagues and other interns is very direct and friendly. On one hand, this is great because when you arrive, you’re among friends. However, it’s important to also ensure that, alongside the casual conversations, we dedicate enough time to completing our tasks.
How supportive is CEA professionally?
As a fourth-year PhD student, I have already met many other doctoral students, so I have a good understanding of the exceptional conditions provided to CEA interns compared to those at other universities. The CEA itself hosts numerous prestigious events, where recognized academics from Central European countries regularly participate. These events provide excellent opportunities to network with these professionals and receive advice and assistance from them.
The CEA also provides every intern with a separate financial support budget for their professional development, which greatly exceeds what is available at other universities. We have the opportunity to attend a wide range of domestic and international conferences, which interns can select according to their individual interests. Additionally, the CEA offers financial support for summer universities and even for LLM studies. For example, I obtained my LLM degree at Tilburg University in the Netherlands with the support of the CEA.
In cooperation with the University of Miskolc, the CEA also offers LLM programs, such as those in children’s rights and human rights, which are available tuition-free. The CEA also includes CEA Publishing, which manages several academic journals and publishes numerous valuable books every year, primarily of a comparative nature. These are naturally accessible to interns and significantly contribute to their professional development. Additionally, a special budget is allocated for purchasing books, and we have access to numerous academic databases.
What other opportunities does the CEA offer?
In addition to the above, the CEA organizes numerous travel programs for PhD students, which provide outstanding opportunities for professional and personal growth. We’ve already visited the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and attended various conferences in Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, and other countries. This range of opportunities continues to grow, as every year we explore new locations and institutions, giving us even broader insight into our field. This year, for example, we will be visiting the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, and we are also preparing for a conference in the Czech Republic. It is important to note that, in addition to these joint programs, interns also have the freedom to choose other events they would like to attend. Furthermore, the CEA provides free language courses for its interns.
What is it like to live in Budapest?
Budapest is a fantastic large city with all its inherent features. It’s beautiful, vibrant, sometimes chaotic, and full of interesting programs. The public transport system is great, and there are excellent connections to almost anywhere. We interns also often meet up in the city outside of work hours or go on trips together, strengthening our sense of community.
Who would you recommend the CEA Junior Programme to?
If you enjoy self-improvement, like the international environment, are interested in the academic sphere, enjoy writing (you’ll do a lot of it), and want to get to know many new places and people, this is the place for you!
Isn’t it a disadvantage that the Academy is so young?
It’s not about how young the institution is, but rather about its reputation. Clearly, building an image takes time. The CEA has undergone tremendous growth over the past three years, with its staff and program portfolio expanding several times over, and it continues to develop. This entails a lot of work and challenges, but it is the only way to become truly well-known and recognized.
What has been the best experience at the CEA for you so far?
The summer universities and the LLM program have enriched me with exceptional professional knowledge. However, I don’t like to highlight specific events or moments, because that would overshadow the others, and numerous valuable experiences would be lost that way.
What message do you have for future juniors?
If you’ve found yourself in the answer three questions above, don’t hesitate to apply – you won’t regret it!
Ádám (SK)
