Aubrey Toth

I have always loved being part of a big group, which is why I am glad I've embraced my Hungarian heritage, from my dad’s side, and started learning more about my culture.

My grandma was one of my biggest role models, and I would count down the minutes until I could go to her house after school and listen to her stories. During Covid-19, we spent a lot of time together, baking, hearing stories, and even getting to see photos of her days in Hungary.

Personally, it was hard to get attached to a culture that I really didn't think I had much in common with or had seen in real life. Every year, my dad would host our Hungarian family, yet I would hide in my room and rarely speak to my family members without being told.

It wasn't until I was able to go to Hungary and see the culture and beauty for myself that I embraced it. As soon as we touched down in Hungary, I already felt the energy of the country and saw its uniqueness. We went on tours, ate amazing food (even though I am a very picky eater), and even got to see where my dad grew up. I felt amazing to be a part of something so big and so unique to me.

Ever since that trip, I changed my outlook from something so negative that I never gave a chance to something positive that I wanted to be more involved in. My grandma kept telling stories, and at the next Hungarian party, I made sure to go up to every person and ask questions. I helped my dad cook traditional dishes, most of which I burned, and even tried to learn the language.

Being so open to this new chapter of my life gave me so much more than a new hobby or new fun fact to share; it gave me a new identity and the opportunity to expand who I am. Recently, I was able to get dual citizenship as both an American and a Hungarian. I went back to Hungary with my citizenship, which made me see the country in a new way, a way where I felt like I belonged and felt comfortable being there.