Featured Alumni

Barna Péterfi

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2023 Summer

Host Institution: American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

Quote: “My primary objective over the summer is to not only experience behind-the-scenes work at a trade association that represents a major sector of the American economy but also further enhance my knowledge and skills on governmental affairs and advocacy issues and practices.”

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Barna Péterfi experienced his first intercultural exchange in high school where he participated in the American Field Service (AFS) Intercultural Programs’ exchange year organized in Russia. Since then, he has been an advocate for the importance of understanding national and transnational cultural characteristics from both the Eastern and Western parts of the world. Finishing his high school in Hungary this has led Barna to apply to the University of Edinburgh where he is currently a 2nd-year student majoring in Russian Studies and Politics. For his third year, he will be participating in a university-led placement program where he will live and gain professional experience in the Baltic states.

Founded in 1913, ASLRRA proudly represents the entrepreneurial owners and operators of short line and regional railroads throughout North America. These approximately 600 small businesses play a vital role in the hub-and-spoke transportation network, often providing the first-mile/last-mile connection between farmers and manufacturers and the ultimate consumer.

Annamária Wettstein

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2023 Summer

Host Institution: American Enterprise Institute

Quote: “I firmly believe that combining rigorous academic pursuits with real-world experiences is essential to effecting positive change. My internship at AEI allows me to work alongside esteemed scholars and delve into the complex realm of economic and public policy. I am excited to contribute to the mission of AEI and gain insights that will shape my future career.”

Read her introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Prior to her internship at AEI, Annamária gained valuable experience at Case Solvers, a Forbes 30 under 30 startup. As a Student Ambassador, she played a pivotal role in enhancing problem-solving skills for students, contributing to a more innovative and entrepreneurial future for Hungary. Additionally, Annamária’s dedication to sustainable development led her to be selected for the prestigious Sustainable Lifestyles and Education Program, an initiative of the United Nations. As part of this program, she joined a network of young professionals who are passionate about shaping a sustainable future through global cooperation. Through her involvement in these initiatives, Annamária has shown her unwavering commitment to innovation and creating positive change in both the entrepreneurial and sustainable development realms.

She has a strong commitment to widening educational opportunities and supporting underprivileged talents. Her involvement as a Student Ambassador for Widening Participation at LSE showcases her dedication to enabling prospective students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their educational goals. She has been volunteering for various organizations in Hungary for the last three years to improve future prospects of children in impoverished communities.

The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.

Márton Nagy

Program: Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship

Year: 2023 Summer

Host Institution: American Legislative Exchange Council’s Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force 

Quote: “I have always admired how only a handful of determined pilgrims could lay the foundations of what we now call the wealthiest and most powerful nation on Earth. I embark on my D.C. jouney with like determination to uncover to intricacies of U.S. federalism – and in the meantime, grow both personally and professionally in the most challeging environment I have ever been in.”

Read his introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Márton’s enthusiasm for European affairs and economic integration studies is also reflected in his academic activities. He is currently writing his thesis on the assessment of the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Funds after having finished his third year at the Eötvös Loránd University of Budapest with a 4.0 GPA, majoring in International Business Economics. His other research interests are also related to the economics of the European Union, with a special focus on European budgetary issues.

Márton always strived for challenging himself in competitive international environments. He successfully completed a course on European affairs at the prestigious SciencesPo Paris Summer School last July. He has also actively participated in international conferences such as the Future European Leaders Forum in Prague or the ConSIMium program in Brussels. Therefore, he is well equipped with the toolset to achieve his goals in the politically most vibrant city in the world.

The ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force is dedicated to researching and promoting sound policy aimed at creating a pro-growth atmosphere in state economies. Policies that promote economic growth and increase state competitiveness are achieved by reducing excessive government spending and limiting the overall tax burden. The Task Force’s legislative members are at the forefront of developing sound, fiscally responsible, and free market tax and fiscal policies to address the needs that the states now face.

The Task force has pioneered policies that increase budget transparency, promote state spending limitations, require super-majorities for tax increases, implement dynamic revenue forecasting, and many more. The Task Force has several Subcommittees that examine specific policy areas in detail. These areas include fiscal policy reform, internet taxation, education finance, and public pensions.

The ALEC Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force is working to provide economically viable, fiscally responsible, and free market solutions to promote economic growth.

Rebecca Ajtai

Program: HF Communications Intern

Year: 2023

Host Institution: Hungary Foundation

Quote: “I am excited to be a part of Hungary Foundation, as it encompasses both my interests in international affairs and my Hungarian heritage. I hope to apply my knowledge and skills to Hungary Foundation initiatives and to learn more about transatlantic relations as their Spring Communications Intern.”

Read her introduction here: hungaryfoundation.org

Rebecca Ajtai is a senior studying international relations with a focus on foreign policy and national security with the German language minor at American University. She has a great interest in EU policy, and immigration issues, and has conducted research on the democratic decline and other relevant topics over the course of her undergraduate education.

Growing up with strong ties to her Hungarian heritage, she was a member of the Hungarian Scouts in Buffalo, NY for many years, where she learned about Hungarian history and culture, going on to eventually teach younger troop members. She also travels to Hungary annually to visit family and friends.

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.

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.

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