St. Johns student happy to be safe in Transylvania; sad to be away from new friends – SILive.com

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Csenge Bodi woke up one morning in March and in two hours, bought a plane ticket, packed her bags and was on a plane to Transylvania.

An international student at St. Johns University, she was returning home as the changes in the world were accelerating in response to the novel coronavirus.

The U.S. closed its borders to European travelers and my parents were a bit worried that Europe would do the same, and it would actually close its borders to U.S. travelers, said Bodi. I thought it would be safer to come back and stay with my family.

She had just begun her first year at St. Johns University Staten Island campus as a psychology major and an Ozanam Scholar, named for a religious lay scholar who called upon his students to take action through scholarship and service to address social justice issues in society.

- Csenge Bodi happy to move into her dorm on the Staten Island campus of St. Johns University. An international student, she is from Transylvania. Her first year at St. Johns was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. (Courtesy of Csenge Bodi) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

As part of her service hours, she worked with Lifestyles for the Disabled, an agency that provides programs and work experience for adults with developmental disabilities.

Of all my after-school work, this was my highlight. It really clicked with me. It didnt feel like service. They gave me energy. What I gained was huge, said Bodi.

She is continuing her course work online, a bit of a challenge being in a time zone seven hours ahead of the universitys. In addition, she also became determined to maintain the connection she had established with the agency.

Csenge is showing true St. Johns values as volunteer hours are no longer required of the students, but she has reached out to Lifestyles and will virtually host some lessons, said Paula Gregory, Lifestyles coordinator of the St. Johns program.

Csenge Bodi peers out from her box saying hello and being welcomed to a virtual meeting with the Lifestyles for the Disabled group she has been working with. An international student from Transylvania, she returned to her homeland when the coronavirus pandemic closed the university, but is continuing her volunteer service with the program. (Still from video/Life-Wire News) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

At one of her first appearances on a Zoom forum, she peered out from her box saying hello and being welcomed. She shared a lesson on Easter traditions, in particular egg dying with flowers and natural dyes.

Everyone greeted me as an old time family member. Everyone was so welcoming, she said.

- Csenge Bodi talked about Transylvanian Easter traditions with the Lifestyles for the Disabled St. Johns University group. She created a video to show the egg dying process with flowers and natural dyes. An international student from Transylvania, she returned to her homeland when the coronavirus pandemic closed the university. (Life-Wire News) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

We appreciated seeing someone doing something nice even in quarantine and show us something we can do even when there is something we cant do, said Aaron Bialer, a participant who attended the Zoom meeting.

She made another virtual visit with the agencys Media Department where she answered many questions.

Tell us about your self

"My name is Csenge. Its pronounced like the game Jenga. I live in Transylvania, part of Romania, but I am Hungarian. I do speak Romanian too. My whole family is Hungarian and I got a Hungarian education.

- Csenga Bodi, an international student at St. Johns University, is interviewed by the Life-Wire News crew in an online meeting. Her first year at St. Johns was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. She returned to her native Transylvania. (Still from video/Life-Wire News) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

What about Vampires

Thats everyones first question. Dracula -- Ive been to the castle several times. The guide makes it very scary, but I never believed in it. Dracula was modeled on a true historical character, a dictator and tough guy in Romania, a lot of people feared him, and there was also a lot of chaos and criminals at that time.

- A photo of the castle or fort in Nagyvrad that Csenge Bodi shares in a virtual meeting with Lifestyles for the Disabled. Castles are a big attraction she says, including the one known as Draculas Castle. Located near the Hungarian border, the citys name is Oradea in Romanian. (Still from video/Life-Wire News) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

Castles and little villages are an attraction for visitors she says. She lives in the city named Nagyvrad in Hungarian, Oradea in Romania which has its own castle. Located near the Hungarian border, it is a thriving city surrounded by natural beauty.

What do you do in your free time?

It is a big thing of my parents to grow up as Hungarians. My sisters and I belong to a folk dance group. I also sing folk songs. We wear traditional clothing. We do it to keep some traditions and culture preserved. In some ways, they mean more to us than the people who live in Hungary.

- Left: Csenge Bodi models her traditional dress and hair braiding. There are various braiding styles specific to different regions. Right:Csenge Bodi and her sisters dressed in traditional Hungarian folk costume at a dance festival. As Hungarians living in Transylvania, their family strives to preserve their culture and traditions. (Courtesy of Csenge Bodi) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

The history is complicated, she said, and for another time, but as a minority in Romania, Hungarians have limited options and privileges. However, her parents choose to remain there to keep a Hungarian presence in Transylvania.

- A view from the hills surrounding Nagyvrad, a city in Transylvania, Romania, near the Hungarian border. In addition to a thriving city and historic monuments, the surrounding natural beauty is an attraction to visitors. The citys name in Romanian is Oradea. (Courtesy of Csenge Bodi) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

Our visit was May 1, which is a big holiday she said when people go to the mountains and lakes to go have fun with friends. That was not happening this year.

How is the pandemic affecting you in Transylvania?

When I left New York, it was worse in Italy and Spain. Now it is worse in New York. Personally my town is not that affected. It [the pandemic] is more in the south.

To leave the house, you have to fill out a form with your name and address. There are different options; you tick one: buy food (you have to go to the closest store), run errands, exercise, get medication. Police can stop you and you can be fined [the equivalent of $500]. Its not worth cheating. Every time I leave, the police check me.

- A look outside the door where Csenge Bodi lives in Nagyvrad, a city in Transylvania, known as Oradea in Romanian. (Courtesy of Csenge Bodi) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

What do you miss from here?

The people and the city. The friends I made over a very short time. I was in the city every weekend. And Wednesday service. I had no classes and it was the highlight of my week. Everyone was so welcoming. I had to do a presentation. I am not good with it. My English goes [pffffft]. Everyone was so supportive and interested.

- Csenge Bodi gives Daniel his end of semester certificate at a party for the participants in the St. Johns University/Lifestyles for the Disabled partnership. Csenge Bodi is an international student at St. Johns from Transylvania in Romania. (Life-Wire News) Life-Wire NewsLife-Wire News

What is the major difference between here and Romania?

The enthusiasm and lifestyle of the people. People in the U.S. are so open, so nice, so supportive. People are enthusiastic. Yeah, we have goals, but it doesnt matter. There, if they want to do something, they do it well. They put their heart in it. Yeah, we do it, but because its mandatory.

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St. Johns student happy to be safe in Transylvania; sad to be away from new friends - SILive.com

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