Hello, my name is Khalid Toumi. I’m 23 years old and from Morocco. I’m a fifth-year engineering student at the National School of Agriculture in Meknes, specializing in Animal Production and Pastoralism, for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Thanks to the Erasmus+ program, I had an amazing opportunity to take part in an international experience that enriched me both academically and personally. During the summer of 2025, I spent nearly two months, from June to July, at the Faculty of Agriculture in Hódmezővásárhely, one of the best faculties of the University of Szeged in Hungary.

As part of my final year project, my internship involved a study addressing the increasing challenges climate change poses to livestock systems worldwide. This issue is becoming ever more critical today as rising temperatures increasingly threaten both animal welfare and farm productivity.

This research focused on the effects of heat stress, measured by the temperature-humidity index (THI), on dairy cow production parameters, including milk yield, along with milk quality parameters such as fat content, protein content, lactose level, and somatic cell count. The study was conducted on Holstein-Friesian cows from a farm located between Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely, taking local climatic conditions into account.

I was lucky to be surrounded by a great academic and technical team. I would like to sincerely thank Ms. Edit Miko, the dean of the Faculty, and Mr. Wissem Baccauri, my supervisors in Hungary, for their continuous support, valuable guidance, and for always being available to answer my questions and provide advice whenever I needed it. I’m also deeply grateful to Ms. Molnár Viktoria and Ms. Magdolna Gera for their kindness and incredible availability, which made me feel welcome from the very beginning. A big thank-you also goes to Mr. Abdelhafid Keli, my supervisor in Morocco, for his trust and advice during the entire experience.

But this internship wasn’t just about work. It was also a unique human experience. I met students from several countries, and shared with them moments of laughter, friendship, and cultural exchange. I also got to know Hungarian students who were warm and welcoming, and who helped me understand and appreciate their local culture.

I stayed at the Fculty dormitory in Hódmezővásárhely - a simple but comfortable and friendly place, ideal for meeting people and sharing experiences. Each day helped me grow more independent, flexible, and open-minded.

On the other hand, Szeged left a lasting impression on me. It’s a calm, picturesque city that warmly welcomes students, offering both tranquility and a vibrant cultural scene. I also loved spending time at the University of Szeged’s library, a modern and calm space that inspired productivity and encouraged exchanges with students from all backgrounds.

In short, this Erasmus+ internship was more than just an academic project. It was a life-changing journey, full of discoveries, challenges, and unforgettable memories. It helped me step out of my comfort zone, and prepare for a future with a more global perspective.