Zsofi Somlai

Zsofi Somlai
Age: 21
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary

Zsofi was born in Budapest, Hungary and has lived there all her life. She is currently studying at the University of Economics. Though fond of her studies, her classes do not fulfill her innate desire to learn about other cultures and parts of the world. Zsofi´s aspiration to travel was instilled in her by her parents´ own experiences. This has led to her graduating from a tourism school in addition to the university courses, which she hopes, will grant her the chance to better understand distant countries and cultures in the future.

"Hungary is a country that was once behind the ´Iron Curtain´. The Berlin Wall fell only a few years after I was born, however, my parents lived most of their lives under the communist regime. They were accustomed to a life where it was forbidden to do anything on their own and the penalties for straying outside the system were very strict. Even in the present day I can see how those times affected my parents and their generation.

Although conditions in Hungary never rivaled those of Cambodia, I have come to understand the effect a maniacal government can have on a country. Here in Hungary much of the population is still attempting to deal with the horrible memories that haunt their lives. I have never been to Cambodia but know the tragic history the country was subjected to under the Khmer Rouge, and cannot help but sympathize knowing their plight was in many ways more severe than here in Hungary. Thus I would like to help give the children the chance to build a new country from the ruins left by Pol Pot.

John Lovejoy mentioned this idea to me while he was living here in Budapest and I thought it was a brilliant opportunity to draw much needed attention to developing countries. Now that my country has passed through its worst years, I feel bound to help others as Hungary was helped from the remnants of communism."