Featured Alumni

Emily Gyetvai

Program: HF Communications Intern

Year: 2023

Host Institution: Hungary Foundation

Quote: “I am very thankful for this opportunity to be a part of the amazing team of the Hungary Foundation and to see the incredible job they do to improve Hungarian-American relations. I believe I can grow a lot both personally and professionally by being here.”

Read her introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Emily Gyetvai is currently a student at Budapest Business School University of Applied Sciences, Hungary, where she is in her 4th semester of studying International Business Economics.

Emily comes from a small town high school in Salgótarján, where she had the chance to take part in everything from academic competitions to art projects and sports events. She tried herself out in every possible field until she found her interest in languages and then later in Economics. She has always been fascinated by different languages, nations, and cultures. Emily started studying several different foreign languages including English, German, Spanish, and Italian, and even took a short course in Hebrew and Esperanto. Her love for the English language resulted in her graduating from this subject two years earlier than usual.

Emily likes spending time with younger children. She always had this urge to help people and bring the best out of them.

The Hungary Foundation is a solely charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Foundation pursues its mission and goals by supporting Hungarian-American organizations and by supporting programs that strengthen interaction and cooperation between Hungarian and American citizens and institutions. In particular, the Foundation is focused on supporting cultural, educational and scholarly activities. The Foundation does not participate in political activities, political or election campaigns.

Krisztina Kapin

Program: HF Summer Intern

Year: 2022

Host Institution: Hungary Foundation

Quote: “Because of my background, I believe the Hungary Foundation is the perfect opportunity to apply the skill sets I have acquired thus far. I am looking  forward to working alongside other members of the organization and assisting HF as their summer communications intern.”

Read her introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Krisztina Kapin is a rising junior undertaking a double major in philosophy and political science with a pre-law minor at the University of Dayton. A member of the Honors Program, she is one of only seven students selected to represent the university through its Honors “D.C. Flyers” internship program over the summer of 2022.

Her Hungarian heritage prompted her to seek out organizations with close ties to her country, traditions, and culture. Growing up in New York City, she has always been an active member of the local Hungarian-American community, participating in Hungarian schooling, scouting, and mass. In 2017, she won first place in the NYC regional Hungarian poetry recital contest and progressed on to the national competition held at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C., where she subsequently won first place in her age group.

The Hungary Foundation is a solely charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Foundation pursues its mission and goals by supporting Hungarian-American organizations and by supporting programs that strengthen interaction and cooperation between Hungarian and American citizens and institutions. In particular, the Foundation is focused on supporting cultural, educational and scholarly activities. The Foundation does not participate in political activities, political or election campaigns.

Domonkos D. Kovács

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2022 Summer

Host Institution: German Marshall Fund of the United States

Research Focus: Improving relations between the think tank and governments, whilst also contributing to the efforts of GMF’s Alliance for Securing Democracy

Quote: “You must possess a grand – but nonetheless realistic – vision of how you want the world to look like in 50 years, and most importantly, you must conjure a well-defined image of your role in contributing to such a future. However, one must not forget, that such a determination shouldn’t render us tunnel-visioned, and it must not be prescriptive; the designation of your trajectory is in vain without the willingness to change course when the opportunity presents itself.”

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Domonkos D. Kovács is a recent graduate of the University of Cambridge, having majored in History and Russian, and will pursue a master’s degree in international relations at the Central European University of Vienna from September.
His primary research interests include Transatlantic and NATO-Russian relations, EU-Russian security relations, European Strategic Autonomy, Russian near abroad policy pertaining to the EU’s Eastern Partnership states, cyber security, disinformation, and election interference, as well as hybrid and asymmetric warfare. He authored and published numerous research papers, op-eds, articles, and policy memos on topics ranging from the withdrawal from Afghanistan, through European Strategic Autonomy and Russian disinformation, to US policy in the current Russo-Ukrainian war.

Domonkos is the Co-Founder and President of the University of Cambridge Society for Geopolitics, which aims to educate the undergraduate student body about geopolitics, grand strategy, and statecraft, by organizing panel discussions, lectures, and workshops. He was named Young European Ambassador for the EU’s Eastern Partnership Program, where he works on the Ukraine and Georgia programs, developing peer-to-peer networks and sharing best practices vis-à-vis civil society building with students from EaP states. He fulfills the position of Director of Publications for European Horizons, a 1,100-strong global student-led think tank, and acts as the Editor in Chief of its peer-reviewed academic journal, The Review of European and Transatlantic Affairs. During his studies, Domonkos worked for the most prominent Hungarian think tanks across the aisle researching and advising on foreign policy.

 

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together. GMF champions the principles of democracy, human rights, and international cooperation, which have served as the bedrock of peace and prosperity since the end of World War II, but are under increasing strain.

GMF works on issues critical to transatlantic interests in the 21st century, including the future of democracy, security and geopolitics, alliances and the rise of China, and technology and innovation. By drawing on and fostering a community of people with diverse life experiences and political perspectives, GMF pursues its mission by driving the policy debate through cutting-edge analysis and convening, fortifying civil society, and cultivating the next generation of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.

Benjamin Bárdos

Program: HF Communications Intern

Year: 2022

Host Institution: Hungary Foundation

Quote: “I’m very eager to work with the Hungary Foundation and be a part of their team as a communications intern. I regard the two months I’ll be sending in Washington DC as a crucial building block for the progression of my professional career while making lasting and fond memories. I hope to further my understanding of military law and the defense industry through the many conferences and events I’ll be attending throughout my stay.”

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Benjamin Bárdos, a first-year law student at the Law School of Tilburg University in the Netherlands has joined the Hungary Foundation as a communications intern for the summer in Washington D.C. His main interests are to study military law and the defense industry which he intends to pursue.

Benjamin attended high school at the British International School of Budapest. During his high school years, he participated in the Duke of Edinburgh Program finishing the bronze level. He completed high school with 3 A-levels in mathematics, history, and business studies. He’s beginning his legal studies at Tilburg University, studying global law, focusing on the interaction of state, private, and international agreements, and their influences on the current global legal order. Furthermore, his younger years were also complemented by his competitive swimming career.

The Hungary Foundation is a solely charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Foundation pursues its mission and goals by supporting Hungarian-American organizations and by supporting programs that strengthen interaction and cooperation between Hungarian and American citizens and institutions. In particular, the Foundation is focused on supporting cultural, educational and scholarly activities. The Foundation does not participate in political activities, political or election campaigns.

Bence Szabó

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2022 Summer

Host Institution: Mercatus Center of George Mason University

Research Focus: Analyze and understand how governmental public policy decisions affect the lives of US citizens

Quote: “The backbone of our civilization is small communities. I’m from a town of 28,164 people who work hard to improve their life despite many obstacles. I am working to obtain experience in one of the most influential cities in the world so that I may better serve my home community and provide future generations a chance to be where I am now.”

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Bence holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business Economics from the Budapest Business School (BBS). As vice-president of external relations of the Youth Enrichment Society, a local student organization, he’s been a strong advocate for bridging the gap between the international and Hungarian students. In addition to his economic studies, Bence is a 3rd-year law student at the Pázmány Péter Catholic University. As secretary-general of the Hungarian department of the European Law Student Association (ELSA), his responsibility is to establish international cooperation with the far-reaching organization.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas—bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems.

A university-based research center, the Mercatus Center advances knowledge about how markets work to improve people’s lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying economics to offer solutions to society’s most pressing problems.

Our mission is to generate knowledge and understanding of the institutions that affect the freedom to prosper, and to find sustainable solutions that overcome the barriers preventing individuals from living free, prosperous, and peaceful lives.

Founded in 1980, the Mercatus Center is located on George Mason University’s Arlington and Fairfax campuses.

Dorottya Zsiborács

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2022 Summer

Host Institution: RWR Advisory Group

Research Focus: Chinese and Russian financial and economic activities posing national security threats

Quote: “I believe the best way to improve is to always set the bar one step higher than you are capable of. That is why I challenged myself to study in the United States when I was 16, then applied to my most admired university in London. Now I am looking forward to embracing great professional development in the most politically lively city, in the hub of international relations, Washington DC.”

Read her introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Dorottya is a rising senior International Relations BA student at the War Studies Department of King’s College London. Her main professional interests are security and defense, with a special focus on the United States’ foreign policy, strategic defense planning, transatlantic relations, and the changing nature of warfare.

Security and defense have not only impacted her academic path but also her personal extracurricular activities, as well. To strengthen multilateral security networks, she plays an active role as the Secretary-General of the Hungarian Youth Atlantic Treaty Association. Moreover, she is one of the 28 selected young professionals of the Transatlantic Security Initiative Program of IRI, building the next generation of Europe’s leaders for the transatlantic relationship. In 2021, she was a Summer Young Fellow of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Education and Research Center at KAIST, a top science, and technology institution in South Korea. Furthermore, she pursued a summer internship at the United Nations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.

Janes IntelTrak specializes in tracking and assessing the use of economic and financial statecraft, including the risk and threat implications of foreign state-owned or state-controlled enterprises. We provide open source intelligence and analytic products for government agencies and risk management services for private sector clients, usually focusing on the behavior, track records and risk profiles of Chinese and Russian companies. This improved awareness helps with export controls, end user and supply chain risk management, and threat assessment.

Janes IntelTrak specializes in tracking and assessing the use of economic and financial statecraft, including the risk and threat implications of foreign state-owned or state-controlled enterprises.

They provide open source intelligence and analytic products for government agencies and risk management services for the priovate sector clients.

Márk Vad

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2022 Summer

Host Institution: National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC)

Research Focus: General overview of the US political system and how corporations and business organizations engage in the political process in the United States

Quote: “It’s not important what university or degree you graduate from, but rather what other opportunities you seize during your university years and what attitude you have. My motto – Always All In – perfectly describes everything I stand for and will continue to stand for throughout my career.”

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

In Hungary, Márk is an active shaper of youth policy thanks to the Youth Business Group, where he is responsible for international business development and is also one of the leaders of the Public Affairs team. Youth Business Group is one of the largest leadership incubators in the CEE region and its goal is to build up Europe’s largest and most advanced university student organization-based talent hub.

Márk holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Management from the Budapest Business School (BBS). During his university years, he was an active participant in university life, serving as vice-president of the student organization of the Hungarian Economic Association and founding the University Business Club, which is currently the largest and fastest-growing student organization at BBS. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management at the Corvinus University of Budapest. Márk is also part of the CEMS Masters in Management program, which is jointly delivered by leading universities, business schools, multinational companies, and non-profit organizations delivering a powerful combination of theoretical knowledge and experiential learning.

The National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC), a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association, was founded in 1977 and is the sole national organization dedicated to promoting, defending and professionalizing PACs and political action professionals.

NABPAC is not a PAC, and does not contribute to candidates – it is a trade association for corporations and business associations. Our goal is to advance the interests of our membership and protect the rights of millions of Americans who participate in democracy though voluntary contributions to a PAC.

NABPAC also provides comprehensive membership services to PAC and grassroots professionals through continuing educational workshops, annual conferences, informative publications and peer-to-peer advising. Membership consists of over 700 PAC and government affairs professionals from more than 240 corporations, associations and vendors throughout the country who represent some of the smallest and largest PACs. NABPAC members collectively accounted for PAC receipts in excess of $250 million during the 2018 election cycle.

Imre Andrikó

Program: HF Communications Intern

Year: 2022

Host Institution: Hungary Foundation

Quote: I am very excited to work as part of the Hungary Foundation’s team as a Communications Intern. I believe that the three months that I can spend in Washington DC will have a long-lasting impact on my career and bring me memories that I’ll always cherish.

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Imre Andrikó is a fourth-year law student at the Law School of Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest has joined Hungary Foundation for a spring internship in Washington D.C. Besides his university studies, he is also engaged in the Law School of Mathias Corvinus Collegium, a college for advanced students in Hungary. Currently, he is doing his research with the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC on the topic of the ‘Impact of immigration on the concept of State sovereignty under international law’.

Imre attended a bilingual Hungarian-English language high school in Debrecen, where he acquired most of his English language skills. During his high school years, he was an exchange student in Purcellville, VA back in 2016.

The Hungary Foundation is a solely charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Foundation pursues its mission and goals by supporting Hungarian-American organizations and by supporting programs that strengthen interaction and cooperation between Hungarian and American citizens and institutions. In particular, the Foundation is focused on supporting cultural, educational and scholarly activities. The Foundation does not participate in political activities, political or election campaigns.

Róbert Janzsó

Program: HF Communications Intern

Year: 2022

Host Institution: Hungary Foundation

Quote: “As the Communications Intern at Hungary Foundation, I seek to practice the field of communication and I aim to learn about the Hungarian Diaspora in the United States. But at the same time, I also seek to broaden my horizons in better understanding the way a non-profit operates, as well as getting new perspectives on public life and geopolitics.”

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Róbert Janzsó is an aspiring entrepreneur and a curious second-year undergraduate student of Political Economy at King’s College London. Róbert has always been eager to have a local impact and to participate in change-making. He is the former President of the Hungarian Society at King’s and a two-time recipient of the prestigious Stipendium Peregrinum scholarship awarded by the State of Hungary. He has twice been among the finalists of Ninja Warrior Hungary in 2018 and 2021.

The Hungary Foundation is a solely charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Foundation pursues its mission and goals by supporting Hungarian-American organizations and by supporting programs that strengthen interaction and cooperation between Hungarian and American citizens and institutions. In particular, the Foundation is focused on supporting cultural, educational and scholarly activities. The Foundation does not participate in political activities, political or election campaigns.

Noémi Pálfalvi

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2019

Host Institution: Religious Freedom Institute (RFI)

Current Position:  Senior international relations coordinator at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium

Quote: “I am honored to be affiliated with the Hungary Foundation not only as an alumna but as the program coordinator of the Budapest Fellowship Program. When coordinating the elements of the programs I always think back on my time as a fellow and try to involve the best practices in my current work.”

Read her interview: hungaryfoundation.org

Noémi is currently working as a senior international relations coordinator at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium. Meanwhile finishing up my master’s in East Asian Studies at Pázmány Péter Catholic University and the Corvinus University of Budapest. Her work is very diverse, she is involved in a lot of different types of projects, like organizing international conferences, but her favorite activities are focusing on the preparation and management of international fellowships. Before joining MCC she was working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.

The Religious Freedom Institute is committed to achieving broad acceptance of religious liberty as a fundamental human right, a source of individual and social flourishing, the cornerstone of a successful society, and a driver of national and international security.

Pin It on Pinterest