Many years ago, when I first joined the Foundation at the middle of my primary school career, the Foundation’s promise and commitment seemed a very distant, almost unattainable goal: to provide us, talented young people, with as much help and support as possible until the end of our university studies and beyond, so that we have the opportunity to start a successful career. We did not know then how much work and sometimes sacrifice this would involve, but we knew that we would have a long, long way to go to get there.
I reached the end of that journey on Friday afternoon, when – after long and challenging years of struggles and challenges since graduating from the Bachelor of International Studies – I finally received my Master’s degree in Economics and Public Policy at the graduation ceremony of Corvinus University of Budapest in Várkert Bazár: I became an economist. I am very happy that, after my friends and former colleagues from the Foundation, I have now finished my university studies and can look outside the doors of higher education.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Foundation for the many support and experiences I have had over the past sixteen years, from summer camps to tutoring sessions, language competitions and scholarships. I have made many, many memories that I will never forget. I am very grateful for all of this, and also for the fact that when I could not find the right direction, the Foundation did not let go of my hand, did not let me get lost, but always gave me the necessary push to move forward. Without the Foundation, I certainly would not be where I am today: with two degrees and a stable livelihood.
But perhaps more importantly, I would not be who I am: through the Foundation, I have met countless children, young people and adults from different backgrounds from all over Hungary; they and the various programmes and activities have had a great impact on my personality and my way of thinking.
Once again, I thank my mentor, the teachers, the Foundation’s managers and staff and everyone else for the past decade and a half of work together and I wish the next generations after me every success!
Richárd Palkó, Kaposvár Group 2
