Béres Szabolcs

„I am happy that even the needy youngsters have opportunities”

My name is Béres Szabolcs, I am a fifth-grader at the University of Medicine of Pharmacy of Târgu Mureș. I was born in Miercurea Ciuc, and I grew up in Nicolești. I started my studies there, and I finished them at the Márton Áron High School. I enrolled at university in 2009. My mother, Béres Éva, works in Ciceu. My sister, Cseke Lejla studies in Miercurea Ciuc, she is twelve-grader in the Johannes Kájoni High School. My father, Cseke József, decided to leave us, and divorce from my mother when I was 10 years old. About my future plans: I am interested in cardiology, especially in interventional cardiology (deals specifically with the catheter based treatment of the structural heart disease). What is more, I would like to do it in Miercurea Ciuc, to establish a centre. But this needs time, and a lot of investment.

Q: Why did you choose cardiology?

Béres Szabolcs: I had been thinking a lot about cardiac surgery and cardiology. Finally I decided that the number of people who have a heart attack is higher; I would like to help them, as an interventional cardiologist.

Q: What does it mean more precisely?

Béres Szabolcs: It mostly involves the insertion of a catheter into an artery and the visualisation of the heart under X-ray, this way doctors can find where the problem is, and can fix it.

Q: I suppose this field is in demand abroad as well. So why do you stay at home? What keeps you here?

Béres Szabolcs: Money isn’t everything. You can stay at home as well, it’s harder, but at least you can help your own nation. Previously I was also thinking about finishing the university, then going abroad to work, but I realised if we all go, then who will heal the poor Szeklers? I think my place is here, I feel like I need to stay.

Q: What did your family think about your decision?

Béres Szabolcs: As far as I remember, I always wanted to be a doctor, this was my only dream, I didn’t think about anything else. When I finished high school my mother asked me if I really wanted, if I was able to do this. I told her very determined that I could do it, no need to worry; everything was going to be fine. A lot of people told me that the university was very hard, I might have failed. But I always had faith in God; I thought everything will be all right.

Q: Do you keep in touch with your father? Does he know that you are going to be a doctor?

Béres Szabolcs: He knows, when I was younger we met a lot, nowadays more rarely. To be honest I haven’t talked to him for a long time. At about two year he stopped looking for me, and I stopped looking for him too. He lives in Miercurea Ciuc as well; he works as a truck driver. I was ten years old when my parents divorced. I don’t know its reason, they said it hadn’t worked. My grandfather was there instead of my father, he was a role model for me, I learnt a lot from him. My grandparents raised me from the age of four. A divorce depends on two people, if there is no harmony but quarrel, it is better to divorce, I understand it. But what I don’t get is why the parents neglect the children, why don’t they visit or call them at least once a week. That’s what I missed from my dad. I have a half-sister; I talk to her once a month. She also talks to my sister.

Q: Despite all this you are at university, you managed to struggle through all this...

Béres Szabolcs: It was quite hard, although I had no problem with studying, and there was always a foundation which helped me financially. I am very grateful for the Verestóy Foundation, they helped me break even. I applied for the second time, and I won again. The Foundation also contributed to the fact that I plan my future here. I am happy that even the needy youngsters have opportunities. And this help won’t be forgotten...