Summer in Washington, DC Friends of Slovakia
Stories of DC Internship alumni
Friends of Slovakia
FOS is a non-profit organization of volunteers based in Washington DC, founded
in 2001. The mission is to strengthen friendship and mutually beneficial
cooperation between the United States and Slovakia, as nations sharing similar
values of freedom, democracy and market economy.
Primary areas of activity include building networks and increasing Slovakia’s
visibility in the United States. The non-profit organization works with Slovak
and American companies and entrepreneurs to explore and advance bilateral
economic ties and investment.
Moreover, it is committed to enabling Slovaks and American to share with each
other the rich and diverse artistic and cultural heritage of both countries. In
this area, young Slovak leaders are brought to United States through a summer
Slovak Scholars program and promote a variety of cultural exchanges.
The Fund for American Studies
The Fund of American Studies (TFAS) was founded in 1967 to teach the
principles of limited government, free-market economics and honorable
leadership to students and young professionals in America and around the
world. TFAS programs inspire these future leaders to make a difference in their
communities and throughout the world by upholding the values essential to the
preservation and success of a free society. Programs take place in the US
(Washington D.C.), Europe (Prague, Czech Republic), Asia (Hong Kong) and
Latin America (Santiago, Chile).
Five Slovak scholars are selected each year by Friends to Slovakia to come to
Washington DC. TFAS institutes in D.C. specialize in comparative political and
economic systems (ICPES), on political journalism (IPJ), on business and
government affairs (IBGA), on philanthropy and voluntary service (IPVS) and on
economics and international affairs (IEIA).
Ondrej Socuvka 2004 AIPES
How did you find out about
Friends of Slovakia and the DC
Internship program?
When I heard the exciting news
about being accepted to the TFAS program, I started researching Slovak-US
relations on the Internet and via young professionals’ networks. If I
remember it correctly, I was the first Friends of Slovakia scholarship
recipient - which I am very grateful for, and I am very happy other young
Slovaks had this opportunity as well.
What is your best memory from the program?
Working and discussing with Zbigniew Brzezinski and his son Mark were
some of the highlights of my TFAS program. This experience taught me a
valuable lesson that despite an aging body the human brain can still remain
exceptionally smart and visionary. Another highlight was the amazing work
experience with the U. S. Steel team in Washington DC - many of my
colleagues remain my personal friends and mentors to this day.
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
First of all, during the 8 weeks in Washington, I learned the value of hard
work, serious studies and stimulating intellectual discussions. Secondly, I
was greatly motivated by a society where innovative thinking and a proactive
approach are appreciated and rewarded. Last but not least, I was inspired
not to think only about my own life and career, but to think of ways of giving
back to those in need and back to the society where I come from. I believe all
of us were born to be leaders and we ought to try to help foster positive
transformation of Slovakia and Central Europe as a whole.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals for the future?
Right now I reside in Brussels where I am heading a small team within
Google EU, focusing on building relations with 3rd parties, following 3 years
with Google as a Public Policy Manager in CEE. As for the future, I am not
quite sure where my work life will bring me - as far as my family is there
with me, the entire globe is an option.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
I would recommend the TFAS DC program with a clear 5 - the most positive
recommendation! Participation in the program has changed my life and I am
very grateful to Friends of Slovakia and all those who enabled me to take
part in this exceptional and life-changing experience.
Miriama Svetkovska 2008 ICPES
How did you find out about Friends of
Slovakia and the DC Internship program?
I heard about TFAS from my university mates
and Alumni Jana Hays.
What is your best memory from the program?
My internship in Global Insight. Thanks to my supervisor Sharon Fisher I
had a great opportunity to write a special report "United States - Europe:
U.S. and European Competition Authorities Look to Strengthen
Co-Operation", which has had a very positive impact on my professional
career so far. Moreover, I had the opportunity to be in Washington, when the
country was hit by financial crisis and in time of presidential campaigning -
Obama vs. McCain. Truly, very unique experience!
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
This program gave me a new perspective to my professional life. Not only a
very different and more efficient system of education at one of the most
prestigious universities in the world - Georgetown University, but also the
opportunity to work and live abroad. Plus there are not so many people in
the world, who had the opportunity to visit the White House, the Congress
and the Federal Reserve System and listen to the briefings on hot topics in
the international affairs area.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals for the future?
I focus my professional career in the area of government affairs and
international relations. I worked as Economic Specialist at the US Embassy
in Bratislava, where I covered economic, entrepreneurial and trade analyses
and projections of the Slovak economy from the perspective of US interests
including energy, infrastructure and macroeconomic issues. My previous
professional career is connected to investment banking and the corporate
finance area as well as M&A field from public administration.
I received Meritorious Honor Awards in Energy (2014) and Women
entrepreneurship area (2013) from Department of State and the American
Chamber of Commerce Award (2013).
Currently, I am Regulatory & Fiscal Affairs Manager in Philip Morris and
Chairwoman of Slovak Women Platform (Platforma zien Slovenska). Let's see
what future holds :)
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
5 - the most positive. I highly recommend participating in this program. It
will definitely have very positive impact on your future.
Pavol Gavor
2011 IBGA
How did you find out about Friends of
Slovakia and the DC Internship
program?
While participating in the Erasmus
program at K.U. Leuven, Belgium, I
followed my faculty affairs and I noticed
that there is a possibility to take part in
the TFAS program with support of
Friends of Slovakia. I took advantage of
that and I applied for the program.
What is your best memory from the program?
The best experience from the summer in Washington, DC was to meet
business professionals from the lobbying field, experience the US schooling
system, and make new connections in the international environment. Since
the end of the program, four participants from different TFAS institutes still
hold annual meetings in their home countries - Slovakia, Poland, and
Estonia.
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
Eight weeks in D.C. allowed me to experience real business and political
environment by participating in various trade organizations’ meetings and
advocacy sessions on the Capitol Hill with U.S. Steel governmental
representatives. Aside from that, lectures at Georgetown University helped
me better understand differences between our Slovak and US schooling
system. The program also broadened my horizons in the field of public
policy, lobbying and networking. With the help of the US Steel office
representatives I was able to set up a formal networking session with the
Slovak Ambassador to the United States and other representatives of the
TFAS program, lobbyists, sponsors of the TFAS program, and students in the
office of U.S. Steel in Washington D.C.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals for the future?
Currently I am working for the American telecommunication company AT&T
in Slovakia. I stay in touch with the United States since I am supporting
American corporate clients. Future brings changes so I will see how future
plans evolve.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
I had an absolutely positive experience - I will give 5. It is always up to the
particular participant how much the program is beneficial for him/her. In
my case it turned into a great experience.
Helena Reichlova 2012 ICPES
How did you find out about Friends of
Slovakia and the DC Internship program?
I was searching regularly through the SAIA
online database of international programs,
when I stumbled upon this opportunity.
What is your best memory from the program?
The whole program is one of the best memories of my entire life. I enjoyed
every bit of it - international student environment, engaging lectures and
discussions, student activities, trips and visits of monuments and sites,
meeting influential entrepreneurs and diplomats with Slovak roots and
gaining practical experience at my internship with the National Geographic
Society.
An important moment I remember very often was my discussion with the
former U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia, Vincent Obsitnik. He was telling me
about his career experiences before he became an ambassador, stressing
that all jobs he had before helped him build the skills needed for his later
work in diplomacy field. Therefore, no job on your career path is to be
underestimated, even if you do not get your dream job right away.
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
I became goal-oriented, ambitious and confident - seeing that I could
succeed in the tough competition of brilliant international students. You
learn to be curious and ask yourself many questions – this is how you grow.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals to the future?
I was lucky enough to find an interesting first job after graduating from
ICPES in 2012. After handling the administration of the Webinar2learn
project in Slovakia (was funded by the European Union‟s Lifelong Learning
Program), I later decided to acquire practical business knowledge in one of
the big multinational IT companies, where I currently work. However, my
goal is to further specialize in the near future and explore other possibilities.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
Definitely 5 - it is both a must go and life-changing opportunity.
Adam Sebesta
2014 IPJ
How did you find out about Friends of
Slovakia and the DC Internship program?
I attended a networking event in Bratislava,
where I was lucky to meet some TFAS alumni.
Their stories about summer in Washington,
D.C. were simply stunning and I immediately
felt like “I had to go right away”.
What is your best memory from the program?
It‟s really hard to pick just one. Most were above average. But I remember
how I attended a EU28 delegation‟s briefing as the sole representative of
Slovakia. All other EU member states‟ representatives would treat me as if I
were a real diplomat. I have to say I really enjoyed this moment. But I can‟t
forget about my journey to U.S. Congress to meet John L. Mica – a
congressman proud of having Slovak roots. Last but not least, Friday parties
at the famous Lost Society club on 14th Street are also worth mentioning...
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
I think I gained confidence and caught some American accent. I met literally
hundreds of people. I came back to Slovakia full of ideas and learned that
working hard does pay off.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals to the future?
I am a junior corporate lawyer working in a growing real-estate development
company. However, I plan to go back to public service and perhaps start
working at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
By no doubt it‟s 5. TFAS was probably the best experience so far in my life.
Juraj Hostak
2015 IEIA
How did you find out about Friends of
Slovakia and the DC Internship pro-
gram?
I found out about the program by word
of mouth, from a former The Fund of
American Studies alumni and Friends of
Slovakia beneficiary.
What is your best memory from the program?
The best memory from the program was for me the diversity of the people I
met - fellow scholars as well as fellow interns, with whom we pooled our
summer experiences to everyone‟s advantage.
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
The 8 weeks in Washington helped me learn a lot about international affairs
from a new perspective, economics and the mechanics of Washington. It also
taught me valuable lessons about the importance of freedom and free trade
for the future and betterment of the world. Last but not least, living, learning
and interning in Washington helped me realign my values and goals.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals for the future?
Currently I am focused on finishing my Master studies and digesting my
summer experiences in order to determine my priorities and lay out a plan
for my immediate, as well as the more distant future.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
As long as the prospective candidate realizes that the Fund for American
Studies is a demanding, intensive study program that advances the ideas of
freedom in all aspects of national and international relations - definitely 5/5.
Tomas Sakal 2015 ICPES
How did you find out about Friends of
Slovakia and the DC Internship pro-
gram?
Spending as much time online as I do, I
found out about the DC Internship
program and the scholarship Friends of Slovakia provides successful
applicants with from an alumni's blog, where he detailed his experiences
from a previous year of the program.
What is your best memory from the program?
Although I can hardly name a single best memory, I will definitely not let
myself forget all those late evenings and nights when I gave up sleep to
spend time with the extraordinarily bright fellow students.
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
I realized there was an abundance of important questions I have not asked
myself about where I am going and how I can utilize my passions and
abilities to achieve my goals. This would hardly have been possible without
the stimulating and exciting environment this program creates.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals to the future?
With more unknown variables and questions, but also with more direction
and determination, I am continuing my studies at my home university.
Ultimately I am aiming to help those around me by utilizing my broad range
of skills and knowledge in the fields of business and public policy.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
Give careful consideration into whether you have a passion for politics and
economics. If you do, this is one of the very best ways you can spend eight
weeks of your life. Five and beyond!
Lucia Cerchlanova 2015 ICPES
How did you find out about Friends of
Slovakia and the DC Internship pro-
gram?
I was accepted to Columbia University in
New York for a similar summer program.
I was looking for some scholarship to
cover the cost, when I found TFAS
program on saia.sk. It seemed to be more interesting than the one in New
York, so I applied and I was accepted.
What is your best memory from the program?
When the CEO of my internship site retired during the week I arrived, I
scheduled an appointment to meet him for 30 minutes on his last day in the
office. The conversation took more than 2 hours. Next week we went out for
dinner. He brought a book with personal letters from presidents from all
around the world, including Vaclav Havel and Bill Clinton for me to see. It
was really impressive.
How did 8 weeks in DC change you?
The program was very challenging. I mastered my time management skills
and discipline. I have never thought that it is possible to achieve so many
little accomplishments and attend so many meetings in one single day. I was
also a part of exceptionally smart group of people from all around the world.
Their ideas of the world and their thoughts changed the way I was thinking
of my own life. I realized I am capable of achieving anything, as long as I put
hard work, discipline and passion into it. Well, not just me, anybody who is
willing to do that. My mentor Katherine, who has a degree from Harvard in
economics, also taught me many valuable lessons.
What are you doing now and what are your career goals to the future?
I am still at Northeastern University in Oklahoma, where I am involved in the
tennis team and Entrepreneurship club. I will graduate in December 2015,
and after that I will be moving to either San Francisco or New York to work
for a little bit and then I will pursue my master's degree, hopefully in
London. After I gain enough experience from abroad, I would like to come
back home to Slovakia. I can see a lot of work that needs to be done in
politics as well as in business, which I would like to do. We need more
innovative, open minded people who have a vision for the change. My dream
is to be become one of them. I also want build an innovative and green
business, which will add value to the society.
On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most positive, what recommenda-
tion would you give?
This opportunity opened more doors than I have ever imagined! It was
challenging, exciting, it topped my expectations, and helped me move to a
whole new level. This would not be possible without the scholarship from
Friends of Slovakia. The program does not deserve anything else than the
highest grade 5.
„‟The supplementary classes at George Mason University proved to be
both pragmatic and informative. For example, we had a chance to talk
about the current journalistic issues creating controversy, and at the
same time analyze Mill‟s and Kant‟s views on morality. The Economics
class gave us a useful overview of fundamental economic principles
and rules. I will definitely know what a higher demand for apples does
to the supply of apples in the market…
Weekly TFAS social events provided us with a tremendous opportunity
to meet interesting people and network in the nation‟s capital. I have
met highly intelligent people whom I found extremely inspirational and
motivating. We had the opportunity to listen to star journalists and
personalities from various media and fields, or even meet fellow peers
and interns to chat about career opportunities and challenges. In all, it
was a great mix of professional development and informal contact with
enriching people.‟‟
Letter from Adam Sebesta
2014 FoS Scholar
Bratislava, Slovak TFAS Alumni Chapter, 2015