Building Foundation: A Week‑Long Hiking Experience for International Students
In late October, the first cohort of the newly launched Sport Management BSc English‑language programme at the Hungarian University of Sports Science kicked off its inaugural programme‑wide hiking camp. The event, organised by the Department of Recreation with guidance from Assistant Lecturer and national orienteering coach Dániel Fehérvári, combined trekking, orienteering and team‑building activities in the scenic Bükk Mountains. Students from across Europe and beyond converged in Budapest, eager to apply theoretical knowledge from the first semester in a real‑world context while forging lasting friendships.
Why a Hiking Camp?
Physical performance science and sport management are inseparable; understanding terrain, weather, and human limits is key when planning competitions, training camps or outdoor campaigns. By subjecting participants to uphill grades, forest navigation and overnight stays, the programme offers a visceral introduction to the operational challenges of organising sport events in natural settings. It also complements classroom learning on resource allocation, stakeholder coordination and volunteer management.
Lesson 1 – Orienteering Fundamentals
The day began with a lecture on orienteering basics delivered by Lecturer Judit Grandpierre, followed by a practical exercise in the university’s botanical garden. Students wrote out simple map‑reading skills: reading contour lines, identifying landmarks, and using a compass. The training stressed the importance of quick decision‑making in dynamic environments – a skill that translates directly to crisis management during competitions.
Lesson 2 – Treasure Hunt in Buda Castle
In the historic centre, a short orienteering quiz took teams across Buda Castle. They interpreted clues, located checkpoints, and collaborated to solve riddles. The setting illustrated how heritage sites can be leveraged in event design, while also providing a platform for cultural exchange and networking among first‑year students.
Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Course coordinators, including Dr Szilvia Perényi, designed the hiking camp to meet key learning objectives:
- Apply theoretical knowledge of sport science and management in a real‑world setting.
- Develop spatial awareness and navigation competence.
- Strengthen teamwork, communication and leadership amid physical exertion.
- Experience project planning under resource constraints (budget, equipment, time).
- Cultivate cross‑cultural understanding through international collaboration.
Across three days, the course seamlessly integrated these outcomes with scheduled debriefs, group reflection sessions and structured feedback loops.
Highlights of the Hiking Trail and Orienteering
The two‑day trek covered a 15‑kilometre stretch between Szilvásvárad and Bánkút, featuring almost 700 m of elevation gain. This route is a textbook example of mixed‑use terrain: rolling woodland, rocky outcrops and river crossings. It pushed participants’ endurance, while enabling them to practice map‑reading in real conditions. On Day 2, the Hungarian participants boarded a train to Szilvásvárad, then set off on the ascent with an international cohort of volunteers. Even after the long push, all hikers managed to reach the Fehér Sas Guesthouse in the Bánkút forest camp, where overnight accommodations fostered informal bonding.
Practical Skills Gained
- Urban and wilderness navigation using topographic maps.
- Team coordination under time pressure.
- Problem‑solving during unexpected route changes.
- Safety protocols for outdoor operations.
Adventurous Weather Conditions
While the minutes in the forest were curling slush, the Austrian weather pattern kept wind rolling, creating an exact simulation of climatic unpredictability in outdoor event logistics. Students documented their experiences, noting that the most significant lesson was how to adapt plans on the fly – a reminder that flexibility is as essential as preparation.
Team Dynamics and Cultural Exchange
The camp’s structure deliberately placed students from different nationalities into mixed teams. For example, a paired orienteering exercise on Day 3 featured Hungarian and international students navigating independently with the same map. Such symmetrical tasks fostered mutual respect and exchanged communication styles. The evening lunch at Bánkút included a “story‑telling” session, where participants shared personal motivations for studying sport management, enriching everyone’s understanding of global perspectives.
Evidence of Lasting Bonds
At the conclusion of the camp, several students reported forming friendships that extended beyond the university campus. “I felt like I was part of a second family,” one comments. The ability to rely on a cross‑cultural network is increasingly vital for professionals who will coordinate multinational events.
Professional Growth Through Outdoor Leadership
The multi‑day excursion served as an on‑the‑job training for future sports managers. Students took on roles such as guide, logistic coordinator and safety officer. They were required to allocate resources – including food rations, navigation tools and rest periods – within a set budget. This hands‑on exercise introduced them to project scheduling, risk assessment and contingency planning.
Real‑World Application: Festival Planning Scenario
After returning from the camp, a mock scenario was introduced: “Plan a two‑day outdoor sporting festival for a mid‑town community.” Students used the data from the hike to model costs, create a risk matrix and draft a volunteer schedule. The outcome highlighted the relevance of experiential learning.
Next Steps: Enrolling in Hungarian University of Sports Science
The Sport Management BSc program offers a 90‑credit curriculum that blends practical courses (e.g., Aerial Photography, Futures Analysis of Sport) with research methods and data analytics. Students graduate ready to enter roles such as event coordinator, operations manager, or policy analyst in national sporting bodies.
Program Features
- Full English‑language courses taught by international faculty.
- Internship placements with partner clubs and organisations.
- Campus‑wide resources: Laboratory for Molecular Exercise Science and Recreation Departments.
How to Apply
Prospective students can start the application process through the university’s online portal by visiting https://international.tf.hu/study/. The admission cycle begins early in each semester, and the university offers scholarships for high‑achieving international candidates.
In the summer, additional outreach events such as webinars and Q&A sessions with current students will walk you through the curriculum and the support services available.
Explore the Sport Management BSc program and learn how the Hungarian University of Sports Science can shape your career in sport operations:
More information on the Sport Management BSc
Apply today and join a community that thrives on action, teamwork and continuous learning.
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Share your own hiking or outdoor experiences in the comments below – your insights might inspire fellow students.
