„I am independent thanks to the foundation...”

My name is Biró Szilárd, I am the second child of my family. I grew up at Odorheiu Secuiesc, I graduated high school there. Now I am studying at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of TârguMureș.

Q.: I am sure a lot of people ask you this question: why medicine?

Biró Szilárd: I couldn’t imagine any other profession for myself. Biology has been my favourite subject since elementary school, I really love it.

Q.: Can we call it a childhood dream?

Biró Szilárd: Maybe yes. I already knew back then that I go to the Tamási Áron High School to study science, and after that to continue it at Târgu Mureș.

Q.: And after you graduate?

Biró Szilárd: I am thinking of working at home, at Odorheiu Secuiesc. Before that I would like to stay a few years at Târgu Mureș because professionally one can learn a bit more there.

Q.: Would you like to be a general practitioner or a specialist?

Biró Szilárd: I have a plan for this as well. I am interested in pathology and cardiology, but these can change of course. The cardiology, dealing with disorders of the heart started to become an independent field. It drew my attention during university. I started to like pathology when I did my work placement one summer at dr. Fehér István. This is the precise study and diagnosis of the cause of death.

Q.: Both of them sound interesting. How many years do you have until you finish?

Biró Szilárd: I am a fifth-year student, so apart from this year I still have one, and after that I specialize. I have a few years left.

Q.: You sound very determined. Have you ever had second thoughts about being a doctor?

Biró Szilárd: Mostly I am determined, but there are always moments when I hesitate, for example in 11th grade when we started with the nervous system. I was a little bit afraid, because it didn’t seem as simple as before. But by the time and by some learning I realized I could do it. Looking back everything seems easy and beautiful but I put a lot of work in it…and a lot of studying of course.

Q.: I suppose your parents are happy that you dedicated your life for such an important profession...

Biró Szilárd: I think my mother was even more worried than me. She always told me, I would never arrive at the end of it. She is proud of me of course, but she was afraid, even because the financial situation. Since my father died in 2004, my mother has been taking care of us alone, me and my brother, who is two years older. He is doing his doctorate in Physics.

Q.: Your mother must be proud of you indeed. What do you do in you spare time? Do you have time to relax?

Biró Szilárd: If you want to do something you make time for it-this is my motto. I like to party, to take a trip, to go to festivals, to play football. I play regularly at Lupeni. I have a girlfriend, I like to spend my free time with her, or with my friends, I am not bored at all.

Q.: How many times have you applied for the scholarship?

Biró Szilárd: This is the 5th/6th time that I have applied, first when I was 12th grader. This is the third time they support me. They give me the financial support to be able to study and finish this year as well. I don’t need to worry about the money, and neither does my mother. What I like the most that I am independent. I can cover my expenses thanks to the foundation.