In the academic year 2025/2026, the International Office of the Bratislava University of Economics and Business (EUBA) continued organizing informal Snack & Chat meetings aimed at building personal connections with international students. The events took place during both the winter and summer semesters and brought together 36 students from 31 countries in an environment where formality was replaced by open conversation.
The meetings aimed to create a safe and informal space where international students could openly share their experiences studying at our university. Discussions covered the academic environment, everyday life in Bratislava, and their overall impressions of studying and living at our university.
The events also provided the International Office with valuable feedback on the services and support offered to international students. The discussions generated a number of insights and suggestions that may contribute to the further improvement of the university’s international environment.
The Head of the International Office, Miroslava Darnadiová, stated: “We wanted students to feel heard, not just as visitors passing through the university, but as a genuine part of our academic community.”
The conversations that unfolded during the meetings were as diverse as the students themselves. Many shared their first impressions of Bratislava, a city that surprised them with its compact charm, calm atmosphere, and close proximity to Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. Others described inevitable culture shocks: the seemingly reserved nature of Slovaks, unfamiliar dishes, or the sharp Central European winter, which caught more than a few students off guard.
One of the most frequently and positively discussed topics was the strong sense of belonging among international students themselves. Snack & Chat provided an opportunity to meet peers from countries they had never visited before, form unexpected friendships, and realize how universal the experience of living far from home can be.
The success of the Snack & Chat events in both semesters reinforces the International Office’s belief that the most valuable feedback does not come from forms, but from genuine dialogue. The insights gained will serve as a foundation for further improving support for incoming students, enhancing services, and creating an even more open and welcoming environment at EUBA for every student who arrives suitcase in hand, ready to begin something new.
