I have reached one of the most defining milestones of the recent period: I have successfully completed my studies at the Budapest campus of McDaniel College, graduating with a degree in Psychology and Communication. Although an era has come to an end, I feel that the real learning and growth might only just be beginning.
It is quite nostalgic to look back on how, at the age of ten, when I joined the community of the Csányi Foundation, I was still a little girl doing ballroom dancing at a competitive level, whose biggest dream was to become a dance teacher one day. Back then, I had no idea how many experiences, opportunities, and developments awaited me in the years to come. The support provided by the Foundation opened up entirely new directions for me: participating in the Children’s Parliament, the Csányi Band, various projects, competitions, language lessons, language exams, and community programs all contributed to making me the person I am today.
The countless English lessons and trips to England were a huge help in allowing me to confidently begin my studies at McDaniel, where education was conducted in English. At the same time, I received not only language skills from the Foundation, but also the mindset and self-confidence that helped me stand my ground in every new and challenging life situation. The supportive community, mentors, peers, and leaders who stood by my side throughout played a massive role in this.
I am endlessly grateful to Sándor Csányi and Erika Csányi for creating this unique Foundation, which changes the lives of so many young people day after day. Thank you to dr. Miklós Radoszáv, the operational director of the Foundation, for always finding a solution to every situation, and for letting me be a part of the “learning process” he spoke of so many times. I think with a grateful heart of my mentor, Erika, to whom I could turn at any time for help, support, or even just an encouraging word. And thank you to my mother for believing in me even when I doubted myself.
During the years spent at the Foundation, I made lifelong friendships, learned to make the best out of almost every situation, and was enriched with countless experiences. It would be difficult to summarize in just a few sentences everything this community has given me, as this is where I truly grew up. I am certain that without it, I would be a completely different person today.
The Foundation gave me not only opportunities, but also security, motivation, and an environment where I could always feel that I belonged somewhere. I was surrounded by people who inspired me, supported me, and reminded me time and time again that it is worth working for our dreams.
The joint programs, trips, performances, projects, and everyday moments all added something to my personality. I learned an immense amount about human relationships, acceptance, cooperation, and also about how important it is to support one another. Often we do not even notice how deep an impression a conversation, an encouraging sentence, or a shared experience leaves on us, yet these are the memories that stay with us even years later.
For me, the Foundation was never just a program or a community, but a place where I could continuously develop, where I could safely make mistakes, learn, start over, and where there was always someone who believed in me. Perhaps that is why it is so difficult to put into words how much all of this means to me.
As I look back on the past years now, so many memories come to mind: the excitement before a performance, the shared laughs at the end of long days, the trips during which I got to know not only new places, but also myself better.
I feel that “thank you” somehow seems very inadequate right now. Inadequate compared to the amount of love, attention, opportunity, and support I received. Still, with all my heart, I am grateful that through the Foundation, I can be the first university graduate in my family. Thank you!
Hanna Szép, Mohács Group 1, Behavior Analyst and Communicator