The International Students Association of Semmelweis (ISAS) has a new chairman in the person of Charlie Attariani (33), a fourth year dentistry student. Of Persian ancestry, Charlie was born in Texas and raised in Sweden. In addition to his work for ISAS, Charlie is also Head Instructor of the Semmelweis University Tae Kwon Do programme.
Recently, we asked him a few questions about ISAS and his plans for the new academic year.
What percentage of international students belong to ISAS?
Virtually the whole student body is registered with ISAS and consider themselves members of the ISAS community. We interact with most of our current members via Facebook and our website. We also had the fortune of meeting all the first year international students at this year’s ISAS Freshmans’ Day. This was the first event of its kind.
What is the most important role of ISAS and, as chairman, what would you change or improve?
At its core, ISAS is an organisation for the students. So our most important role is to make sure that our day-to-day activities revolve around the day-to-day needs of our students. As the new ISAS chairman I wish to integrate the International Students Association of Semmelweis into the wider Hungarian Semmelweis student community. The reputation of ISAS is now comparable to that of the Hungarian associations. And for that we must thank Professor Kollai, Director of the Foreign Students Secretariat, Mrs. Olga Ványi, Head of the Secretariat, Marton Gyuláné on the financial department and, of course, Team ISAS. But we are still an isolated entity, and due to the isolation of the English programme, very few international students have the opportunity to make friends with the Hungarian Semmelweis students. This lack of integration is what I wish to change during my time as ISAS chairman.
How did you choose Semmelweis University?
I have a background in Event Marketing, but am currently fulfilling my dream of becoming a dentist. I chose to attend the Budapest premedical preparatory course because of the city. But when I first visited the dental building on Szentkirályi utca, I really felt like I could belong here. I fell in love with the dental building. The dental labs and practice rooms are amazing! I believe it’s very important to create a comfortable study/work atmosphere. Enjoyment makes us so much more productive.
Pálma Dobozi
