In the autumn of 2023, I packed my bags for the Netherlands to begin a new chapter that would challenge my mind, shape my faith, and widen my view of what theology can mean in an international context. The opportunity came from nothing, in a truly miraculous way, and I felt that never in my life would there be such a possibility. So, I accepted it.
From 2023 to 2024, I studied at the Protestant Theological University (PThU) in Groningen, where I joined the Master of Theology – Living Texts (Biblical Studies) program. Thanks to a generous scholarship from the PTI Cluj-Napoca, I could spend that period fully immersed in research, study, and reflection.
Arriving in Groningen, I quickly realized how extraordinary this opportunity was. The university library opened doors to sources I had only ever seen cited in footnotes, and the academic environment encouraged curiosity rather than competition.
I decided early on that I would not only attend classes but also write, research, and prepare for the work I hope to dedicate my life to. Over the semester, I completed ten essays, each refined under the guidance of my professors. Some of these papers may soon appear in Hungarian, a thought that still feels both humbling and exciting.
The last two essays became the groundwork for my Master’s thesis, centered on historical Jesus research, a topic that continues to shape my academic focus. Alongside my studies, I kept a literary travel journal that was part academic reflection, part spiritual diary.
During my first week at the Protestant Theological University, I met Professor Annette B. Merz, a moment that felt almost unreal. I had known her name for years; her co-authored work with Gerd Theissen had been a cornerstone of my undergraduate studies. To suddenly find myself in the same room with a scholar whose research I had long admired was both humbling and inspiring. I never imagined I would one day have the chance to work under her guidance. Yet, despite her demanding schedule, she kindly agreed to supervise my thesis, showing an exceptional generosity and dedication that I will always remember.
Working under her supervision was both an academic honor and a turning point in my journey, reminding me that learning and mentorship can deeply enrich one another.
My home in Groningen was Casa Mundo, a small residence for about fifteen students. Nine of us were part of the international Master’s cohort, representing Nigeria, India, Indonesia, China, Kenya, Hungary, and Transylvania, a truly global community of faith and learning.
Every Wednesday evening, we gathered for dinner followed by a short devotional service. Those moments, singing hymns in different accents and praying in many languages, reminded me that faith is larger and more colorful than any one tradition.
The costs of living in the Netherlands were high, but my PTI Cluj-Napoca scholarship covered accommodation. Everything else, such as meals and local travel, I handled with care and gratitude. Looking back, that simplicity felt like part of the discipline of the experience.
That year was much more than a study abroad experience. It changed how I think and how I approach learning. I learned that persistence creates opportunities, that good questions matter more than easy answers, and that theology has real value when it connects people.
I am thankful to Professor Merz, to all the professors who inspired me, and to those at PTI Cluj-Napoca who made this journey possible.
If I had to sum it up in one line:
All the nights we stay up doing research are worth it. One day, those efforts may open unexpected possibilities, almost magically.
