With SZE’s Support, Three Győr High School Students Enhance Their Skills in Florida

Through the USA Accelerator Program of Széchenyi István University’s Innovation Park in Győr, three high school students recently participated in a sports and skills development camp at the DME Academy in Florida. Thanks to this opportunity, the talented youngsters gained valuable experience in the United States.

The BE-UNI-QUE Talent Workshop, operated under the framework of Széchenyi István University and the Mobilis Interactive Experience Centre, is a career guidance programme that provides long-term support for secondary school students in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). It offers mentoring, competition preparation and international experience through collaborative learning, independent research ideas and experiential project work.

In July, three 18-year-old members of the Talent Workshop — Tekla Kiss, Zoltán Léránt and Balázs Szigeti — were given the opportunity of a lifetime. Through the USA Accelerator Program hosted by the Innovation Park at the University of Győr, they were able to attend the DME Academy Soccer Summer Prep camp in Daytona Beach, Florida. The two-week programme included sports coaching, English lessons, visits to universities, watching professional matches, and excursions.

According to Balázs Szigeti, Zoltán Léránt and Tekla Kiss, students of Kazinczy Ferenc Secondary School in Győr, the trip to the United States further strengthened their determination to continue their studies at Széchenyi István University in the future and to carry on what they have already started as high school students. (Photo: András Adorján)

The students took part in the European Space Agency’s CanSat competition, in which they worked in teams to design and build a satellite the size of a box. In recognition of their hard work and dedication, they were invited to a camp in the United States. Széchenyi István University provided professional and institutional support for their trip. In addition to helping businesses enter the US market, the USA Accelerator Program Office, located in Győr’s Innovation Park, organises exchange programmes, language training and unique US opportunities for students, faculty and high school talent.

“The Innovation Park plays a key role in the regional economy, bringing together industry, university knowledge centres and international partners to create new opportunities. The Florida trip is just one example of such collaboration, ” said Dr Tamás Kolossváry, Head of the Győr Innovation Park. „Thanks to the connections between the USA Accelerator and the HungarianHub, we can also offer students unique programmes that go beyond the classroom and prepare them for the international world through lasting experiences.”

The organisations involved in the partnership are working together to create long-term opportunities. Talented young Hungarian people will be able to develop in a global environment and gain community and cultural experiences, thanks to the programme coordinated by Pazaurek Piros, the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Central Florida. In addition to the professional content, participants on the trip in July were able to challenge themselves in situations that developed their thinking, independence, and language skills in a complex way.

“Every day brought new challenges. We had the chance to experience what it is like to develop in such an intense and diverse environment, both in sports and in communication. One of the most memorable moments was playing football with American students and having to communicate in English. The programme boosted my confidence and gave me new goals. We are very grateful to Széchenyi István University and Mobilis for this opportunity. As high school students, it was valuable to gain insight into the university world and experience things that will benefit us in the long term,” said Zoltán Léránt, one of the participants.

Supported by the University, the next season of the BE-UNI-QUE Talent Workshop is expected to start at Mobilis in autumn 2025. The programme is open to students in grades 7–14 from Győr and the surrounding area who are interested in science, technology, and innovation. For application details, please visit mobilis-gyor.hu.

With teammates at the camp in Daytona Beach, Florida.