On this Season 2 Finale Episode of the Hungarian Heritage Podcast, I again have the pleasure of speaking with Ilka Kocsis, the author of Ilka’s Kitchen. Like bookends to this season, Ilka was my first guest of Season 2, and now she is back on the podcast for the finale episode of Season 2 to talk about her experience as a winner and participant of the Balassi Summer University Scholarship Program in Budapest during the summer of 2023, which is organized by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We are going to discuss all the details of Ilka’s four week cultural immersion experience… from the application process, to the travel logistics, to the housing and food accommodations, and of course we will discuss the daily schedule of Hungarian language classes and cultural experiences included in the scholarship. Once you hear Ilka tell us about all of the amazing things that are included in this program, I am sure that you will want to apply for the scholarship for next summer. In this episode, Ilka and I will also discuss the SECOND edition of her cookbook memoir, Ilka’s Kitchen, and all the new things that were added to make this second edition. And…Typically, we begin each episode with my guest’s Hungarian heritage, but we have already discussed this topic with Ilka when she was my first guest of Season 2, so if you missed that episode, you should go back and listen after this episode so you can hear more details about Ilka’s family’s journey from Hungary to Australia. But don’t worry, those details aren’t immediately necessary for you to enjoy today’s topics. So let’s get started with our season 2 finale episode that is jam packed important details and insightful conversations with Ilka Kocsis about the Balassi Summer University Program and her cookbook memoir, Ilka’s Kitchen, edition 2. Below you will find information about how you can connect with Ilka to purchase a copy of her book. You will also find information about the Balassi Summer program and details about how you can apply for the scholarship. Make sure you stay tuned to my social media for details about how you can enter to win a free copy of Ilka’s Kitchen. If you have feedback or questions about today’s episode, or you would like to connect with me at the podcast, you will also find my email, social media information, and podcast website in the show notes. If you’ve enjoyed this episode and you are interested in learning more about this Hungarian Heritage community that we are building, please don’t hesitate to reach out, I would love to hear from you.

CONNECT with The Balassi Summer University Program
Website: www.balassieducation.hu
Facebook: Balassi Képzési Programok / Balassi Education Programs

CONNECT with Ilka Kocsis
Reach out through Instagram or Facebook to purchase her book.
Instagram: @ilkas_kitchen_stories
Facebook: Ilka's Kitchen www.balassieducation.hu

CONNECT with the Podcast
Website: www.myhungarianheritage.com
Email: Christine@myhungarianheritage.com
Instagram: @hungarianheritagepodcast
Facebook: Hungarian Heritage Podcast