When did you start playing sports, what motivated you, or who inspired you?

Ever since I was about a year and a half old, kicking a ball has felt completely natural to me. I tried several different sports, but soccer was always the clear winner for me. Over the years, I simply fell in love with the game, and it remains a huge part of my life to this day.

Who do you credit the most for your success so far? How supportive were your parents and family of your plan to study and play sports abroad?

I have mixed feelings when answering this question. Countless people contributed in one way or another to making this “American project” succeed — or not succeed. When I first mentioned that I wanted to study and play sports in the United States, most of my family members and acquaintances did not like the idea and strongly opposed it. In a way, I am also grateful to those who did not believe in me, tried to hold me back, or criticized me. Their negativity gave me tremendous motivation to prove them wrong.

The first person who reacted differently and saw the potential in both me and the idea was my father. He supported me from the very beginning and also helped me financially through the difficult college years. Of course, I am grateful to all my loved ones, close friends, and personal coaches who have been part of my journey.

At the same time, I would especially like to highlight that without the support and professional work of StudyNSport — formerly EasyGoToUSA — this dream would never have become a reality.

What do you like most about America?

The countless opportunities. If you keep your eyes open, you can build many valuable connections, reach incredible places through hard work, and see the world. My work is appreciated, and the time and energy I invest pay off.

I also really appreciate how organized and structured everything is. Programs and schedules are designed to work together. College classes, training sessions, and even work commitments do not overlap, so planning different activities and priorities is manageable with some simple organization.

In your opinion, what are the advantages and challenges of American college life?

I would say that some of the greatest advantages are experiencing new cultures, learning languages, and building valuable connections. The opportunity for continuous personal and professional development is available to everyone, and it is definitely worth taking advantage of.

One of the biggest challenges is having to perform at the highest possible level week after week, both academically and athletically, while also finding a healthy balance between the two. There is a real risk of burnout, which is why it makes a huge difference if you genuinely enjoy what you are doing and avoid taking on too much.

What do you think about the American education system? What do they do better, or at least differently, compared to Hungary?

The material in higher education seems easier compared to what I experienced back home. The systematic study guides are extremely helpful, and this is something I miss in the Hungarian education system.

Assessments are more frequent, but they always cover the chapters and material we are currently studying, and they are announced in advance without exception. One of the biggest differences is that professors are interested in finding out what you know rather than what you don’t know.

I would like to share a personal example related to this.

In high school, I had to work extremely hard to maintain excellent grades. Despite studying diligently, the grades I received on many important tests and exams often made me feel as though I was not a good enough student. This left a deep impression on me, because it also made it much more difficult to prove to American universities that I was a competitive applicant.

Now, four years later, having graduated from college Magna Cum Laude, I feel that university in the United States was actually easier for me than high school back home.

Overall, I believe that if Hungarian academic content were taught using the American educational system and approach, we could create a much more effective and refined education system.

What do you do outside of school and sports? What does a typical day look like for you?

I do not have much free time. I regularly study ahead so that I can free up a little time for myself. I usually watch videos, relax, or play video games.

During college, a typical weekday looked like this:

• 4:45 AM – Wake up

• 5:00–6:30 AM – Gym

• 7:00–7:45 AM – Shower and breakfast

• 8:00–11:30 AM – Classes and taking notes

• 11:45 AM–1:45 PM – Student job at the cafeteria and lunch

• 2:00–3:50 PM – Classes and taking notes

• 5:00–6:30 PM – Training

• 7:00–9:30 PM – Shower, dinner, assignments/studying

• 10:00 PM – Bedtime

When we play away games, the entire weekend is usually taken up by traveling. Sometimes we also travel during the week, which means missing classes and having to catch up later. When we have home games, either Saturday or Sunday is usually a day off.

How does training in the U.S. compare to training in Hungary?

Many college soccer programs place a huge emphasis on quantity when building their teams, sometimes at the expense of quality. Around fifty of us train together with four coaches. There are fewer highly technical and naturally talented players, so many try to compensate with speed and physical strength.

We regularly have film sessions where we analyze our next opponent and prepare for the game, usually during the training session before the match. Many practices focus almost entirely on conditioning, while others involve repeatedly practicing different tactical patterns and set plays, with a lot of stoppages.

How does your diet in the U.S. differ from your diet back home?

It is very different, and I definitely miss the flavors of home. I have to pay close attention to what I eat because it is very easy to become lazy and fall into unhealthy eating habits.

There are many cheap fast-food restaurants here, while healthy ingredients are generally more expensive and harder to access. This can make life complicated for a high-level athlete, especially when the university cafeteria does not offer the best options either.

How did you manage with the language at the beginning?

I started learning English at a fairly young age and already knew some basic words and expressions during my first years of elementary school.

Later, attending a bilingual technical high school helped me tremendously, as I studied most of my subjects in English and also took up a second foreign language. I frequently rewatched my favorite movies in foreign languages, and video games and online videos also helped expand my vocabulary and language skills.

Have you had the opportunity to try a student job on campus? If so, what has your experience been like?

Yes. At the beginning of my second semester, I started working in the university cafeteria, which was physically demanding and difficult to balance with studying and sports.

During my first summer, I also worked in campus maintenance alongside some of my teammates, which involved similarly demanding physical work.

Was it easy or difficult for you to fit in?

I had no problems fitting in at all because I was welcomed into a very friendly and accepting environment. My open and energetic personality also helped me build strong relationships with people, and I always tried to bring positive energy to those around me.

I also started learning additional languages to strengthen the connections I had formed with my new international friends.

Have you been able to build connections, and how important do you think networking is?

As I mentioned earlier, I met many new people in America, and I am still in touch with many of them today. Through my teammates, I was also able to develop close friendships with people from countries such as Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Italy, Japan, and many others.

Building a strong network of relationships is essential, both for maintaining these connections and for achieving success in life.

In your experience, is there such a thing as the “American lifestyle,” and if so, how is it different from life back home?

To be completely honest, I do not think I have fully experienced that “American lifestyle” yet — I would say it is still a work in progress for me.

I came here with the mindset that, while keeping my priorities in focus, every decision should contribute to my development — in sports, academics, and work — so that I can achieve my goals and become successful. Hopefully, in a few years, I will be able to give a better answer to this question.

What has been your best memory or achievement since you started playing soccer, and what are you most proud of?

I would describe my entire journey — the story of “where I started and where I am now” — as my greatest achievement, because it includes every milestone I have reached along the way.

Coming from a small village, I did not exactly start from the most advantageous position. My journey involved countless obstacles and difficult moments. Applying to an American university was a complex process involving many different factors.

Eight months before I was supposed to leave for the United States, I suffered a serious injury and tore up my left knee, making it extremely difficult to prove to American coaches that I was capable of playing soccer at the college level. While going through rehabilitation, I also had to deal with my high school graduation exams, American entrance exams, and various assessments. Under all that pressure, staying positive was not easy.

While negotiating with coaches, I started to feel like I was running out of time. It increasingly seemed as though no university would want me. Fortunately, during the final weeks, I received an offer from the Brazilian coach of York University at the time. It was not the most favorable offer, but I felt that it was “this or nothing,” so I accepted it.

As a freshman, having only recently recovered from my injury and receiving limited playing time, I fought hard to earn my place on the team. By my second year, I had become much stronger through hard work, earned a starting position, and also worked to improve my academic performance so that I could receive greater financial support from the university.

Starting in my third year, I received a full athletic scholarship and earned academic honors as well. In my final year, I was selected as team captain and named the university’s Athlete of the Year. I also graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Alongside university, I have also been coaching for almost four years now, and this has given me countless great memories and valuable experiences. Winning trophies and championships, as well as seeing my players make tremendous progress from season to season, makes me incredibly happy.

Something I never imagined was that I would also have the opportunity to work with young people with special needs, including athletes with Down syndrome, autism, and speech disorders, even helping some of them participate competitively. Being able to bring joy to them and their families means a great deal to me. Through all of this, I try to set a good example and have a positive impact on others.

What would you recommend to young athletes who are considering taking this opportunity?

In my opinion, the first and one of the most important factors is inspiration — a kind of self-motivation that comes from within and cannot be negatively influenced by external factors. It is a passion that helps you push through even your worst days.

Over the years, I have also developed my own idea of the “secret to success,” which can be summed up in a few words: positive attitude, hard work, discipline, routine, and consistency.

Learning and practicing these qualities can lead to success in life.

Nowadays, many people feel lost because they either dwell on the past or worry about the future. In such a fast-paced world, sometimes it is worth slowing down, enjoying what we are doing, and appreciating what we have, because nothing lasts forever.

How do you think your years in the U.S. will affect your personality?

I believe college life has had a significant impact on shaping my personality and has given me a tremendous amount of life experience.

Different situations have taught me that no matter how big the obstacle or problem may seem, there is always a solution. Actions have consequences, and I alone am responsible for every decision I make.

This mindset helps me every day to make thoughtful decisions, stay on the “right path,” keep moving forward, and hopefully help pave the way for others as well.

What are your future plans and goals, both in sports and outside of sports? Have you considered staying in the U.S. for a few years or even longer after completing your studies?

The idea of staying in America long-term has been in my mind since my very first day here.

For almost four years now, I have been working seasonally as a coach at a soccer club that works with players from U4 to U19. I feel that coaching could become a long-term career for me, although I am also considering continuing my education.

I would like to complete a medical course related to sports medicine and physiotherapy so that, in the future, I can provide more than “just” soccer coaching or personal training. My goal is to offer comprehensive support to athletes dealing with injuries, both before and after surgery.

That is my plan for the future, along with achieving things that would make not only my family, friends, and those close to me proud, but hopefully my entire country as well.