Student Spotlight: Benjámin Oláh-Grosz – University of Pennsylvania
Interviewer: Olivia Murr
Q: What would you like to do with your degree? How do you think this experience will positively impact your future goals?
A: This is one of the top schools for finance in the world, and it’s obviously a huge opportunity. It’s a great chance to go into finance after you finish your degree, and it offers one of the highest returns on investment. If you perform well, you’re likely going to get an offer from one of the major banks in New York, and you will have an above average salary from the get-go. Personally, I think studying at UPenn is a great opportunity because you gain transferable skills that set you up for success in whichever field you are looking to contribute to in the future.
Q: What is your favorite thing about studying at University of Pennsylvania?
A: Not only do you learn from textbooks, but you also learn a lot from your classmates. You never know who they are or where they come from, and the things you can learn from them are surprising. I’ve even had random encounters with amazing people. For instance, one time, I ran into a Nobel Prize-winning economist in the library, who you could easily approach and chat with – which I took the opportunity as well. You don’t get experiences like that everywhere, and it made me realize how unique this environment is and how lucky I am to have access to these kinds of people. Those types of encounters are something you don’t get just anywhere. I think it’s really something to consider when choosing a university. The people you meet and the experiences you have are so valuable. These things can shape your future in ways you wouldn’t expect. Going to an international university offers so much more than just education; it’s an opportunity to build lifelong relationships and experiences
Q: The university application process can be very intense. What steps did you take to make your application the best it could be?
A: Mostly just work hard. There was one week, I remember, around December (before the due dates) when I went to sleep at 5 AM, woke up at 8 AM, and just wrote, corrected essays, application material—everything. It’s not glamorous, but I do have a perfectionist in me. If there was a bit of a problem, I took care of it. I did not care about the time spent on the process. I truly just wanted to get it done and make it the best I could.
Q:What was one thing you learned about U.S. culture and what is one thing you tried to show others about Hungarian culture.
A: Now, in business, the US is very direct. American culture is all about getting things done quickly and efficiently. They don’t play around. In Europe, we tend to take our time and overthink things. Americans, on the other hand, focus on getting things done and executing it well. They are exceptional at leadership and presenting ideas, for example. If you’ve ever seen an American pitch, they know that the first five seconds are crucial—they have to hook you immediately, and they know how to build that hook. Americans are good at figuring out how to make things happen, taking risks, and being proactive. From my perspective, however, I think we have to grow up faster in Middle Europe, especially in Hungary. It’s a small thing, but when I was at home, I used public transportation. It gave me a sense of freedom. I wasn’t relying on my parents to take me around. If I wanted to go to the city, I had to figure it out myself. It gives you a sense of independence, and it’s a part of growing up quickly. It gives you a certain level of self-awareness and responsibility. I think many kids in the US don’t have this experience.
Q: Many of our advisees are concerned about funding their education in the United States. Do you have any advice when it comes to: budgeting, scholarship applications, and/or the cost of living abroad?
A: I can only speak for the Ivy Leagues since they work differently to the best of my knowledge. At most Ivys the admissions office doesn’t know if you need financial aid when you apply—they make their decision first, and if they accept you, they send your papers to the financial aid office, which then decides how much aid you’ll get based on your documents. I think this gives everyone an equal playing field. If you get accepted and aren’t able to pay the fees they ask for, you can always email the admissions or financial aid office, and they’ll be there to help. I know this might sound like something from a brochure, but it’s true—they truly do help, and they won’t leave you hanging. Additionally, a lot of people think of the States as something that’s unattainable, as if it’s a very rich thing to even consider. But it’s still attainable, even from Hungary. You’d be surprised that right now, after Brexit, the UK can be more expensive than studying in the US. In many cases, the US can be even cheaper than studying in the Netherlands.
Q:What was one thing you learned about U.S. culture and what is one thing you tried to show others about Hungarian culture.
A: Now, in business, the US is very direct. American culture is all about getting things done quickly and efficiently. They don’t play around. In Europe, we tend to take our time and overthink things. Americans, on the other hand, focus on getting things done and executing it well. They are exceptional at leadership and presenting ideas, for example. If you’ve ever seen an American pitch, they know that the first five seconds are crucial—they have to hook you immediately, and they know how to build that hook. Americans are good at figuring out how to make things happen, taking risks, and being proactive. From my perspective, however, I think we have to grow up faster in Middle Europe, especially in Hungary. It’s a small thing, but when I was at home, I used public transportation. It gave me a sense of freedom. I wasn’t relying on my parents to take me around. If I wanted to go to the city, I had to figure it out myself. It gives you a sense of independence, and it’s a part of growing up quickly. It gives you a certain level of self-awareness and responsibility. I think many kids in the US don’t have this experience.
Q: Many of our advisees are concerned about funding their education in the United States. Do you have any advice when it comes to: budgeting, scholarship applications, and/or the cost of living abroad?
A: I can only speak for the Ivy Leagues since they work differently to the best of my knowledge. At most Ivys the admissions office doesn’t know if you need financial aid when you apply—they make their decision first, and if they accept you, they send your papers to the financial aid office, which then decides how much aid you’ll get based on your documents. I think this gives everyone an equal playing field. If you get accepted and aren’t able to pay the fees they ask for, you can always email the admissions or financial aid office, and they’ll be there to help. I know this might sound like something from a brochure, but it’s true—they truly do help, and they won’t leave you hanging. Additionally, a lot of people think of the States as something that’s unattainable, as if it’s a very rich thing to even consider. But it’s still attainable, even from Hungary. You’d be surprised that right now, after Brexit, the UK can be more expensive than studying in the US. In many cases, the US can be even cheaper than studying in the Netherlands.