Zoltán Bugnyár, a master’s student in communications management, is a prime example of fulfilling this goal.

Bugnyár, a native Hungarian, came to JCU in January 2005 to continue his communications education. He studied as an undergraduate and earned his first masters degree in Hungary. Afterwards he started working full-time as an editor and reporter for two magazines and later for the Hungarian National Catholic Radio.

During his work, he learned about the opportunity to study in the States. “I learned about the opportunity while I was on duty as a reporter,” Bugnyár said.

“I was sent to a fund-raiser dinner by my boss, but when I got there, I learned about this communications scholarship in Cleveland. I did a little research and made a quick decision that I really wanted to do it; I wanted to gain some experience abroad, and in the communications field, the U.S. is the best place to study.”

Within three months, he applied for the scholarship, quit his job, obtained his Visa, and passed the Graduate Record Examination, a test foreign students are required to take.

“I was picked up at the airport that night when I arrived in Cleveland and JCU was the first part of America I saw in daylight,” he said. The Calasantius Training Program is run by a Hungarian American opthamologist, Dr. Peter Forgach of Buffalo, New York who has various connections to American universities.

The program was designed to contribute to the social and ethical development of the Hungarian society and economy through the participant’s personal experience, as well as their academic knowledge, gained in the U.S.
Bugnyár stressed that it isn’t just the academics; he described his experiences growing up in Socialist Hungary and the different perspective offered by living in the U.S.

“It was not only academic knowledge, but also what you learned in terms of volunteerism, because that was not encouraged at all during the time of Socialism,” he explained. “Party leaders told people what to do for free, and during those 40 years, people forgot that it was possible to work from the ground up and that it could really make a difference. That’s one perspective you can take from living in the U.S.”

Bugnyár is also a resident minister. He has participated in various volunteer work with campus ministry at JCU, including a couple immersion trips. He particularly enjoyed working alongside the volunteer students.

“The biggest thing I got out of the trips was my interaction with the students and the transitions I watched them go through,” he said.

“When we went to Ecuador, some of the U.S. students went through an uncomfortable process of witnessing the poverty there. I think it made them realize that money isn’t everything for people to be happy.”

Bugnyár’s religious calling goes back to the way he was raised. Even during the Socialist regime, his parents took him to church and religious classes.

“I experienced a time when freedom wasn’t a given. My parents did take me to Masses, but it wasn’t information I wanted to share with my classmates because it wasn’t tolerated,” he said. “If you kept it secret, it was okay, but you couldn’t talk about it. For people who take freedom for granted, it is difficult to understand it.”

If he wished to combine his communications education with his religious background, Bugnyár was open to it, but it he said it wasn’t really part of his immediate future plans.

“I am going to take three comprehensive exams in October and then finish my project thesis,” he said.

“I am here in Cleveland through May for Campus Ministry. I would like to find a U.S. company with international presence and first work for them here and then possibly in Hungary in the field of business communications. I don’t really want to make a living in media anymore, but I can see myself doing a radio show or something like I do for WJCU.” (He is the co-host for Bocskai Radio, The Voice for Hungary, on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m.)

Ultimately, he wants to run his own communications agency in Hungary. He explained that his experiences in the U.S. have influenced his career goals.

“I’ve never regretted making the decision to come here,” he said. “I want to implement things from here towards different causes in Hungary. I now have knowledge of things to utilize when I go back.”

This was the lifestyle of Thomas Holbrook, a Wisconsin psychiatrist, who became obsessed with not becoming fat when he injured his knee, according to www.gurze.com.

“I was waking up at 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning and walking for hours on end,” said Holbrook in a USA Today article. “I was the champion of denial, and probably sicker than any of my patients.”

Holbrook’s case is one among the growing number of anorexic males in the U.S.

Anorexia nervosa is a dangerous psychological and physical disorder characterized by the relentless pursuit of thinness, according to casapalmera.com.

Although anorexia is usually associated with teenage girls, recent data shows a large increase in the number of diagnosed males.

The Harvard University Medical School conducted a research survey in February 2007 that indicated 25 percent of adults with eating disorders are men, according to anred.com, a site funded by Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.

Research indicates that there is little difference between male and female symptoms. According to caringonline.com, both sexes suffer similar rates of anxiety, depression, phobias, panic disorder and dependence on alcohol.

However, the increase in male numbers appears to be more than coincidental. According to Maleanorexia.net points to perfectionism as the leading cause of anorexia for men.

According to the site, perfectionism leads to the desire to be right, accepted, and in control – all of which can be the primary causes of male anorexia. Male anorexics actually desire to reach perfection and have the erroneous belief that being thin, or perfect, will lead to happiness.

Regardless of the cause or a person’s gender, anorexia has many detrimental effects on the body.

According to pubmed.gov, anorexia puts a particular strain on the structure and function of the heart and cardiovascular system.

More specifically, the site says people with anorexia typically have a disturbed electrolyte balance, low levels of phosphate, muscle weakness and immune dysfunction. Osteoporosis can also develop as a result of anorexia in 38-50 percent of cases, as poor nutrition leads to the retarded growth of essential bone structure and low bone mineral density.

Besides this, caringonline.com describes the specific dangers of male anorexia. According to the site, it’s more dangerous for men to develop anorexia than for women because when males get down to the lowest weight ranges, they’ve lost more muscle and tissue as opposed to fat, which is something you can lose for a period of time without repercussions.

If left untreated, many cases of anorexia can be fatal. However, maleanorexia.net encourages people to get proper treatment to correct physical and psychological problems resulting from the illness.

If you or a loved one is suffering from anorexia, there is help available locally and across the country. Consult caringonline.com’s list of eating disorder treatment centers and clinics in your area, or call a list of hotline numbers provided on awarefoundation.org.

“Sleeping is one of my favorite things to do,” said sophomore Jessica Bader. “My bed is so comforting, and I love the feeling of being able to sleep in.”

It is clear that college students value and need sleep, but according to dailyfreepress.com, studies from the Sleep Foundation of America show that college students are the leading group of people not getting enough of it. One of the major causes of students’ sleepless nights is insomnia.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or remain asleep. It can be either acute, lasting one to several nights, or chronic, lasting months to years. The studies found that adults ages 18-29 are the most likely to experience and perpetuate insomnia.

According to sleepfoundation.org, half of American insomniacs report “stress or worrying” as the primary reason.

However, there are several causes, some explainable and others not, that are particularly relevant to college students.

According to John Carroll University psychology professor Nicholas R. Santilli, insomnia is often a result of how students treat their bodies. “A good bit of insomnia is related to how much exercise you get,” Santilli said. “Consuming energy drinks, caffeine and alcohol can also disrupt sleep.”

According to the National Sleep Foundation, taking over-the-counter or prescription drugs, such as pain relievers or even birth control pills, can contribute to problems with insomnia.

Santilli also commented on how health issues relate to sleeplessness. “Some disruption in sleep can be related to illnesses, such as the cold or the flu, which cause changes in your body.”

Perhaps the largest cause to students’ insomnia is their irregular sleeping habits, something typical of the college environment. “The hours of sleep I get per night vary a lot,” said sophomore Stephen Kam. “Sometimes I’ll get 10 hours, other times only five or six. I do a lot of napping during the afternoon before I go out for the night, and sometimes I’ll wake up really early to do schoolwork.”

Insomnia has many adverse effects on students and their academic and social performance. It is not uncommon to hear students complain about being tired or not getting enough sleep.

“Paying attention in class, staying involved with my sorority and fulfilling my Resident Assistant obligations are much harder if I get a poor night’s sleep,” said junior Missy Kocab.

Although many students experience insomnia, it is not incurable. There are several ways to combat restless nights. According to the University of Cambridge Counseling Service, one of the best ways to cure the problem is to change your environment. Students need to maintain a clean sleeping space, with proper lighting and temperature.

Eliminating as much noise as possible will also help control the problem.
Students may also need to change their lifestyle in order to get healthy, restful sleep. “Any changes in one’s eating habits or social and work practices can disrupt sleep,” said Santilli. “Trying to get on a schedule and developing a regular sleeping routine can eliminate bouts of sleeplessness.”

Since stress seems to be a part of many insomnia cases, students are advised to develop forms of relaxation to alleviate tension or worries. Examples of this are playing non-competitive games or practicing breathing exercises before trying to sleep.

Santilli feels that managing stress is the key. “Some people respond to stress by sleeping too much and others not enough. Students need to recognize the more stressful parts of the semester in order to control sleep problems.”