How did you feel when Zalán decided to continue his studies and athletic career in the United States?

I never saw it as something tragic—quite the opposite. I saw it as an incredible opportunity.

I’ve always looked at it from a slightly different perspective: I focused on what an amazing opportunity it could be for his life and future. That mindset gave me peace of mind.

Zalán was only ten years old when he first told us about this dream, and from that moment on we quietly kept it in sight as a long-term goal, even if it wasn’t an everyday topic of conversation in our family. We had plenty of time to prepare ourselves for it.

What were the biggest challenges during the process of moving abroad, and how did you overcome them?

My only condition was that Zalán had to be 100% committed and prepared, because this was his dream.

From beginning to end, he took responsibility for every part of the process that was necessary to make it happen. Naturally, whenever he got stuck, we helped and guided him.

There were certain parts where Study N Sport became an invaluable source of support.

The greatest challenge was probably learning to be patient. Everyone expects to receive an amazing scholarship offer immediately, but that takes time. You have to understand how the American college system works.

What role do you think Study N Sport played in helping Zalán achieve his dream?

They played a major role.

From the very beginning, they gave us clear guidance. We had our own ideas about how the process worked, but many of those assumptions didn’t reflect reality, and they helped us understand how everything actually works.

One of their greatest strengths is their established communication network with universities, along with their extensive expertise regarding visa procedures.

Every question we had was answered. I’m convinced we couldn’t have managed the process on our own—or if we had, it would have involved many more obstacles.

If I had to describe Study N Sport in one sentence, I’d say they gave us a sense of security.

What was it like as a parent to watch Zalán compete at the Olympic Games?

It was an emotional roller coaster.

Standing inside a stadium filled with 35,000 spectators watching the swimming events was an incredible feeling. We realized what an extraordinary achievement it was.

He had dreamed about this since he was a little boy, and now he was actually living it.

When he stepped onto the starting block, I had goosebumps. They were accompanied by overwhelming pride.

At the same time, there was also concern. I kept wondering how he would evaluate his own performance.

Our role as parents was simply to stand beside him and support him more than ever before.

I wish every parent could experience something like this—even if it isn’t called the Olympic Games. Even if it’s simply an ordinary day.

Treasure the moment.

How have these successes influenced Zalán as both a person and an athlete?

As a mother, one of my most important goals has always been to teach my children to stay grounded.

It’s important to set goals and do everything possible to achieve them—but if things don’t work out, you have to be willing to adjust and create a new plan.

We’ve also talked a lot about understanding that everything has its proper time: there’s a time to celebrate, a time to work, and a time to plan.

Because of that, I believe Zalán keeps everything in perspective, and I don’t think success will change him as a person.

His love for sport remains his greatest motivation.

His bigger dreams and long-term ambitions continue to keep him humble—both as an athlete and as a human being.

What has been the proudest moment of Zalán’s career for you?

There have been many.

The first would probably be when he received a 100% scholarship to study in the United States. That achievement reflected not only his athletic ability, but also his character as a person.

More recently, watching him compete at the Short Course World Championships was another unforgettable moment.

I knew exactly what he was feeling as the national anthem played for him on top of the podium.

We had talked about that moment countless times—what it must feel like.

He had been waiting for it since he was ten years old.

Seeing that expression on his face after eighteen years of dedication was truly incredible.

What advice would you give to young athletes who want to study and compete in the United States?

Want it with all your heart, and don’t let fear stop you.

Be patient and intentional, because you have everything to gain.

Language skills are extremely important, so prepare for them consciously.

Even if speaking English doesn’t come easily at first, you’ll adapt much faster than you think.

Another wonderful aspect of American universities is that they’re incredibly welcoming. Professors care about what you can do—not what you can’t do.

Never hesitate to ask for help. In fact, people are genuinely willing to help when you need it.

As a parent, what is the single most important thing you would tell other parents whose children are considering a similar journey?

Stand behind your child wholeheartedly.

Make sure they always feel that their parents are there as a safety net.

That doesn’t mean making decisions for them or solving every problem on their behalf.

Encouraging independence is essential, because once they’re overseas, they’ll need to solve many situations on their own.

Being overly protective often makes separation more difficult.

Our experience has shown that when you give your child trust and space, they actually feel even more connected to their family.

How can parents best support their children through such a life-changing decision?

The key word is communication.

Talk openly before important decisions are made. Help them understand what they can expect.

Discussing different options helps young people realize that they always have choices and that every problem has a solution.

Encouraging independence also strengthens their decision-making abilities.

Most importantly, they should always know that their family is their safe place—that they can always come home, and if they ask for help, they’ll receive it.

As a mental performance coach, how do you help athletes and their families prepare for this transition?

In most cases, the biggest challenge is simply not understanding how the international system works. That uncertainty creates fear.

Fear can easily turn into a lack of self-confidence, which may already become an obstacle before an athlete even leaves home.

As a coach and mental performance specialist, my primary goal is to strengthen an athlete’s belief in themselves.

The next step is creating a clear goal structure.

Once someone has a major goal, we can identify the smaller goals necessary to achieve it.

Along the way, athletes will inevitably experience setbacks. Strong self-confidence and healthy self-reflection help them process those challenges much more effectively.

Learning from failures—both big and small—is a huge step toward greater self-awareness, and ultimately toward achieving their dreams.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for athletes and parents, and how can mental preparation help?

The biggest challenge is understanding that this is a long journey.

The entire process involves many administrative and bureaucratic steps, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

Patience is essential, and patience can be developed through awareness and communication.

When both parents and athletes learn to recognize their internal and external strengths, the entire experience becomes an exciting journey rather than a burden.

That’s where a coach can truly make a difference—supporting both the athlete and the family throughout the entire process.