MIB Student Spotlight: Réka Holicsek
Réka Holicsek joined the Master of International Business (MIB) program at the Warrington College of Business after visiting as an exchange student from the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) in 2021. Originally from Hungary, Holicsek lives in Florida while completing her graduate studies.
Q: What is your background, and where are you from?
Holicsek: “I was born and raised in Veszprem, Hungary, a small town with a population of 60,000 near Lake Balaton. As I studied in the German program at my local high school, it was almost an obvious choice for me to continue my education at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU) in Austria. At WU, I was an international business administration major with a specialization in international marketing management and entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Q: Why did you choose to come to the University of Florida?
Holicsek: “In my undergraduate program, it was mandatory for us to spend a semester abroad. UF has an incredible reputation and previous students from my undergraduate university wrote highly of their experience at UF. I was lucky enough to spend my exchange semester at UF in Fall 2021. At one of the Global Business Society (GBS) events, I heard about the Master of International Business program, and I knew right away it would be a great fit for me. As I loved my experience at UF and I was fascinated by all the opportunities that UF and the Warrington College of Business offer, I was determined to come back to Gainesville for my graduate studies in the MIB program.”
Q: What do you miss the most from your home country?
Holicsek: “The first thing that comes to my mind is my family. My whole family resides in Hungary, and I am the only one in my family who lives in the United States. Additionally, I miss our two labradors – Bonnie and Maya. Furthermore, I miss Hungarian food and snacks – Túró Rudi, lángos, kürtöskalács or an authentic Goulash soup are unbeatable.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about being here?
Holicsek: “I love getting to meet people from all around the world and broadening my perspective. I was fortunate enough to join the Hough Ambassador Program in Spring 2023, and I had the chance to meet a group of incredible people. Currently, as the director of the multicultural excellence [student committee], I love being able to organize and participate in different events and thereby contributing to the Hough community.”
Q: Tell us a cool fact about yourself.
Holicsek: “Back in Hungary, I was a background actress in a Hungarian movie. If you were to look closely, it would be very easy to recognize me in some scenes. We shot for two days and those were two of the most exhausting days of my life. Regardless, it was an incredible experience. Furthermore, I am a huge music and concert lover. Recently, I was able to meet one of my favorite artists, Victoria Monét.”
