What inspired you to start playing sports?

I was introduced to the world of soccer at the age of seven, thanks to my dad, who played professionally and represented the Hungarian national team. From that moment on, soccer became the main focus of my life outside of school.

Who do you owe your current success to the most?

I owe my success to my family and to God. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m also incredibly grateful to the Study N Sport team for all the support they’ve given me throughout my journey.

What are your future goals in sports and beyond? (In the U.S. and afterward?)

At the moment, I’m looking for a job with a professional soccer club, although I’m also interested in pursuing opportunities in college soccer. Alongside my career, I’d like to continue playing competitive soccer at the highest level possible.

How supportive were your parents and family of your decision to study and play sports abroad?

My family has always supported me in everything. It was actually my father who first suggested the idea of going to the United States, where I could continue both my education and my soccer career at a high level.

What do you love most about America?

What I appreciate most is that people are generally open-minded and welcoming, which makes it much easier to adapt to a new environment.

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

One of the biggest advantages is how well sports and academics are organized, making life much easier for student-athletes.

The professors are also very understanding when it comes to athletic commitments, which is a huge benefit if you want to succeed both in the classroom and on the field.

What do you do outside of school and sports?

Whenever I have the opportunity, I enjoy traveling around the United States.

During shorter breaks, I usually visit nearby cities with friends or my girlfriend. When I have more time, I travel to larger cities farther away to visit friends and people I’ve met over the years.

What are your everyday life like?

During the fall season, which runs from late August until early November, we usually play two matches a week while also training regularly.

On top of that, I have to keep up with my studies, so I don’t have much free time.

The spring season is much less demanding, with fewer matches and training sessions, which gives me more opportunities to explore different parts of America with my friends or my girlfriend.

How do training sessions in the U.S. compare to those in Hungary?

American college soccer places a strong emphasis on strength and physical conditioning.

We spend much more time in the gym than we did back home. The game is generally faster, although I wouldn’t say the players are technically more skilled than those in Hungary.

There were times when we’d complete a long weightlifting session before heading straight onto the field for soccer practice, and it definitely took some time to get used to that.

How is your diet in the U.S. different from what it was back home?

There isn’t a huge difference between my diet here and the one I had in Hungary.

However, I’m much more careful about what I eat, because the quality of food isn’t always what I’m used to back home.

During school breaks, when the campus dining hall is closed, I often have no choice but to eat fast food, since I don’t have access to a kitchen to cook for myself.

What has been your greatest achievement or proudest memory in soccer?

This past February, I was invited by Sporting Kansas City FC to take part in a one-week trial with their second team. That has been one of the proudest moments of my career so far.

What advice would you give to young athletes who are thinking about taking this path?

I believe it’s extremely important to develop strong English skills before starting your American journey. It makes settling in and building relationships much easier.

Choosing the right university and team isn’t always easy, and things don’t always work out perfectly. However, it’s important to stay flexible because there’s always the opportunity to transfer to another university or join a different team if necessary.

How did you manage with English when you first arrived?

Fortunately, I attended a Hungarian-English bilingual high school, which gave me a strong foundation. The Study N Sport preparation courses for the TOEFL and SAT exams were also incredibly helpful.

Because of that, I didn’t have any major difficulties with the language when I arrived—I simply had to get used to using English all day, every day.

Have you had the opportunity to work on campus? If so, what was your experience like?

Yes, I worked several student jobs during my college years, and I can honestly say that every experience was positive.

My supervisors were always very understanding and flexible whenever I needed to adjust my work schedule because of school or soccer commitments.

How easy was it to settle in?

I didn’t have many difficulties settling in, although it naturally depends on the community you’re joining.

It took me a few months to adapt to American life and culture, but after that, I felt completely comfortable.

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

Fortunately, I’ve built a strong network—not only with teammates, but also with students outside of soccer.

I’ve also developed great relationships with professors and coaches who have been incredibly supportive. In fact, many of them are currently helping me with my job search.

In your experience, is there such a thing as the “American lifestyle” or “American feeling”?

If by “American feeling” we mean a particular approach to life, then I definitely believe it exists.

To me, it’s reflected in people’s positive mindset and self-confidence. Rather than fearing failure, they trust in themselves and believe they can achieve their goals.

How have your years in the U.S. changed you as a person?

Over the years, I’ve become more mature, independent, and confident.

When I first started college, I was much more reserved. Thanks to American culture and the people around me, I’ve become a far more open person, and my self-confidence has grown significantly.

Have you considered staying in the U.S. after graduation, either for a few years or permanently?

Yes. I’m currently looking for a job in the United States.

Unfortunately, immigration and visa regulations make it very difficult to remain here and work on a long-term basis.

What do you think about the American education system? What do they do better—or differently—than in Hungary?

American professors genuinely want their students to succeed.

If you’re willing to put in the effort to improve your grades, they’re more than happy to help you achieve better results.

They’re also much more understanding of student-athletes’ commitments. Athletes are valued and respected by the university to a much greater extent than they typically are in Hungary.