I’m Levente Kovács. I was born on the 19th of December 1998 in Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely. Currently I’m studying civil engineering at the Technical University in Cluj Napoca/Kolozsvár.

You said you like hiking in your free time. What does it give you?

When hiking, one forgets about their problems and gets to enjoy nature, discover and experience new places.

What are the three positive attributes that describe you best?

Being open characterizes me the best, perhaps. I’m open to learning new things about people and I do not avoid social situations.

I also need to mention having a positive mindset as an attribute of mine. I try to find the best in everything, notice the good before the bad because I think this is quite important in the everyday life. Let’s be optimistic and not focus on problems!

I’d say that being ambitious also characterizes me. I always strive for giving my best. For example, if I don’t succeed doing something I don’t give up, but I try again. It gives me a sense of achievement. I reckon everyone fails and gets disappointed at times, but this is all right. The problem arises when we give up.

How and where do you picture yourself in 5 years? What do you want to achieve by then?

I hope that in 5 years I will be working in my field of study and will be capable of performing all my tasks and responsibilities. I also hope that I will be happy and will love what I do.

What does it mean for you to be a scholarship recipient? In what way does it help you?

Being a scholarship recipient is phenomenal. Knowing how much it helps you, you hope that one day you will be able to reciprocate the foundation’s efforts because you know the importance of financial aid.

The scholarship allows me to continue my studies, which I’m grateful for, and I will do my best to return the favor.

Message for the foundation:

Every scholarship recipient, including myself, owes the foundation a debt of gratitude for the help they offer. I hope the foundation’s co-workers continue to be as friendly, understanding and helpful as they’ve been so far.

Yours sincerely,
Levente Kovács

My name is Richárd Járai-Szabó. I was born on the 8th of August 1996 in Odorheiu Secuiesc/Székelyudvarhely. I graduated in 2015 from Elek Benedek Pedagogical High School where I studied natural sciences and English. I continued my studies at Babes-Bolyai University where I’m studying chemistry in order to become a chemical engineer.

You mentioned that you will be done with your studies soon. What will your next step be?

I would like to do my Master’s in Cluj Napoca/Kolozsvár. Besides writing my final thesis, I’m thinking what Master’s course is worth taking. Starting from the next academic year I want to get a job, preferably in my field of study. My plan for the summer is to go to the United States.

You told us about your volunteering experiences. What program was the most outstanding for you?

I think it was the camp that the “Gondviselés” charity organization arranged. I had the chance to experience first-hand how much it means for a poor family to receive a little bit of help.

How do you picture yourself in 5 years? What do you want to accomplish by then?

I’d like my future self to find the career that I can pursue full-heartedly. By then, I also want to have caught up with a few things, such as learn how to drive or speak Romanian.

What are the 3 most important things for you (they can be people, objects, events, principles, etc.)? Why?

Reading, creative writing and my teeth are the most important things for me. I think these things describe me the best. Reading defines me completely. I could not imagine my life without books. Through creative writing I can express my thoughts and develop critical thinking. The reason why I mentioned my teeth is that I had had a lot of problems with them and when I graduated from high school I decided to fix them. Currently, I’m wearing braces and my favorite free-time activity is brushing my teeth.

What does it mean for you to be one of our scholarship recipients? How does it help you?

I still can’t believe that the foundation awarded me with a scholarship. I’m very grateful for it. I feel like I’m not alone with my problems anymore. It helps me plan ahead that was almost impossible for me in the last few years.

Message for the foundation:

I hope the foundation stays as helpful as it has been so far.