Kohiro Sannomiya

Hello! My name is Kohiro Sannomiya, but everyone calls me Kohi. I’m in my final year of my Bachelor’s in Computer Science at ELTE. I’m Japanese, but I grew up for half my life on the beautiful island of Cebu in the Philippines, so in my heart, I have two nationalities and two homes. I’ve always been passionate about technology, and lately I’ve been diving deeper into the world of AI. Outside of tech, I love photography, swimming, and traveling. Exploring new countries is one of my greatest joys and having grown up in two very different cultures, I’ve learned to appreciate diversity, traditions, and of course, local food. Family is everything to me, especially coming from the Philippines where family ties are deeply valued.

"ELTE has a wonderfully diverse international community, so you never feel out of place."

WHAT STOOD OUT TO YOU ABOUT ELTE?


Its ranking as one of the best universities in Hungary and in the world, immediately caught my attention. Beyond the rankings, ELTE has a rich history, which was important to me when choosing where to study. And of course, being located in Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities and a place that was already on my bucket list, made it even more appealing.

WHAT MAKES STUDYING AT ELTE SO GREAT?


For me, it’s the people and the professors. ELTE has a wonderfully diverse international community, so you never feel out of place. Everyone brings their own unique background, and there’s no pressure to fit into a single mold. The professors are highly knowledgeable, experienced, approachable, and always willing to help. My Computer Science program has given me strong core skills, which helped me land internships at Citibank and EY. The structure of the program really sets students up for success.

WHAT ARE / WERE YOUR CHALLENGES IN YOUR STUDY PROGRAM?


One of my biggest challenges was keeping up with the workload. Studying at one of the top-ranked universities in Hungary means high expectations and a lot of responsibility. In my first semester, it was difficult to balance all the subjects and their exams.

HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES?


I made it a habit to review everything I learned each day and also read ahead on upcoming topics. This kept me prepared and confident in class. I also leaned on my peers for support. We all had different strengths, so by helping each other, we made the workload more manageable. This teamwork helped me finish my first semester with a GPA of 4.8 out of 5, something I’m still very proud of today.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ELTE IN THREE WORDS?


Diverse, Opportunity, Growth

HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR DEGREE WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?


This degree has already opened doors for me. It helped me secure two internships and taught me valuable life skills such as time management, resilience, collaboration, and adaptability. I feel more prepared than ever to take on new challenges, and I have a positive outlook on what my future career could look like.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE STUDENTS AT ELTE?


Don’t be afraid to ask for help and be ready to offer it too. The people here are friendly, and we’re all going through similar challenges. Keep a positive mindset, try new things, and make the most of your time, because before you know it, your three years will fly by.