These are the same kids I met 2 years ago on a retreat only 3 months after I had arrived as a new citizen of this country. The future possibilities for them are certainly better than what was facing high school graduates 10 or even 5 years ago. However, the prospects for college and jobs are not nearly what they are in many neighboring countries such as Austria or Czech Republic. One of the positives for them is that the first 5 years of college in Slovakia is free. However, many nationals have told me that in most fields the quality of education here is quite low. Its a common problem in many post communist countries. Too many of the best and the brightest from this region want to go study, work and build a life where there is the greater possibilty for prosperity as well as advancement in your field. That includes college professors.