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

I have actually been drawn to athletics from a very young age. My parents were athletes as well, so in a way, it came naturally. They never pushed me into athletics; I tried many different sports, but in the end, this was the one that won me over.

Who do you credit the most for your success so far?

Definitely my parents, who are also my coaches, Gábor K. Szabó and Gabriella Perényi. Without them, I certainly would not be where I am today. I am also very grateful to the StudyNSport team for their professional support and assistance.

What are your future plans and goals, both in sports and outside of sports? In the U.S. and afterwards?

I would like to become as successful as possible both in sports and outside of athletics. I believe my studies in the United States provide an excellent foundation for achieving these goals. Being here gives me a huge advantage both academically and athletically.

How supportive were your parents and family of your plan to study and compete abroad?

They were completely supportive. For quite a long time, we had been training mostly on our own, so becoming part of such a strong training group with athletes who have achieved outstanding results has been a huge source of motivation for me.

What do you like most about America?

People are very open and helpful, and they generally have a much more positive attitude toward things than people back home.

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

So far, I have mainly experienced the advantages. As student-athletes, we receive a great deal of support and, in a way, we are given special consideration. This is a huge help because it allows us to perform well academically while also keeping up with our training.

What do you do outside of school and sports?

So far, I have not really had much time for anything else besides training. Once the winter competition season is over, we will have a little more free time. Until now, my usual routine has mainly consisted of training, studying, and traveling to competitions.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I usually have classes in the morning, so before training I often have time to go home and rest for a little while. Our training sessions are either in the early afternoon or early in the morning, so I usually get home relatively early. This gives me enough time to prepare for my classes the following day.

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

We train at a much higher volume here. This was actually an area where I had some catching up to do, so we are gradually increasing my workload. They also place much greater emphasis on recovery and strength training.

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

It does not differ very much. I often cooked for myself at home, and I follow the same routine here. Occasionally, I eat on campus if I am in a hurry and need to get somewhere quickly.

What has been your best memory or achievement since you entered the world of athletics, and what are you most proud of?

That is a difficult question because I have achieved several results that are very close to my heart. Perhaps I am most proud of finishing 10th at the 2021 U20 European Championships, where I also set a new personal best.

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

I definitely think it is worth going for it. Obviously, it is a major change and you could say that the whole experience is one big adventure, but there is really nothing to lose. It gives you so much, both athletically and academically.

How did you manage with the language at the beginning?

Fortunately, the language was not a problem for me. I had already spent quite a lot of time abroad and I also have many international friends and acquaintances. Of course, it felt a little strange at first to speak only English, but I think you can adjust to it very quickly.

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

I have not really worked on campus yet.

Was it easy or difficult for you to fit in?

I think it was very easy. My teammates were extremely kind and welcoming.

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

I think building connections is extremely important. I believe I have already made — and will continue to make — friendships here that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

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

I am sure there is, because many things work very differently here compared to back home. Personally, though, I do not think I have fully experienced the true “American lifestyle” yet.

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

Hopefully, I will become much more resourceful and confident in handling things on my own. I am also sure that the experience will help me become more independent.

Have you considered staying in the U.S. for a few years, or even longer, after completing your studies?

I have not really thought that far ahead yet. I can imagine it being a possibility, but we will see what the future brings.

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

The education system is very different from what I was used to back home. Classes are much more interactive, and we do a lot of group work.

One thing that felt particularly unusual to me at first was that you have to prepare for every single class, which gives it a bit of a “high school feel.” Personally, though, I have really enjoyed it so far.