Martin Kardos, who earned both his BSBA and MBA from UMSL, works for CSI Leasing in Bratislava, Slovakia. (Photo courtesy of Martin Kardos)
Martin Kardos came to the University of Missouri–St. Louis from his native Slovakia after being recruited to play for the Tritons by former Tennis Coach Rick Gyllenborg. After earning his BSBA in international business in 2003, he stayed on as an assistant coach while completing his MBA in management in 2005. Kardos began his career with CSI Leasing, whose worldwide headquarters are in St. Louis. After nine years in the United States – where he built lasting friendships but missed his family, friends and Bratislava’s beloved neighborhood bakeries – he returned home when CSI expanded into central and eastern Europe. He now serves as managing director in the region and enjoys living in a capital city that keeps nature close by. He offers these recommendations for visitors. –Erica Falgout
Where to stay
Hotels and accommodations are still very reasonable even in the city center, so you definitely don’t have to shy away from central locations.
Must-see attractions
The UFO Bridge above the Danube River is a must. It has a restaurant on top and rotates to offer a 360-degree view while you enjoy your meal. Then Bratislava Castle and the Slavin monument, which sits above the city and serves as a remembrance to the fallen soldiers of World War II.
Hidden gems
The Slovak National Theater and its opera. Slovakia has many international stars who have performed in New York, London, Milan and Sydney, and they always find time to sing for local audiences. You don’t have to speak the language as the performances are usually sung in Italian anyway.
Food to try
Bryndzové halušky: small gnocchi-like dumplings with sheep’s cheese and bacon.
Biggest surprise about living and working in Bratislava
Bratislava is right at the border with Austria and Hungary. When I have friends visit in the warmer months, we’ll hop on bikes and you can actually bike to both countries within one day. There’s a levee along the Danube River dedicated to cyclists, so you have a flat road with no traffic, and if you want, you can continue to Vienna or Budapest on your bike.
Favorite thing about Bratislava
We get all four seasons, and I’m a big sports fan, so you can do it all, from tennis, biking and outdoor swimming to ice skating and skiing in the winter, all within a three-hour drive. And what I love most about working here is that Bratislava is a “little big city.” You have all the options of a major city – business, schools, culture – but within 15 to 20 minutes you can be out in nature enjoying your free time.
This story was originally published in the spring 2026 issue of UMSL Magazine. If you have a story idea for UMSL Magazine, email magazine@umsl.edu.
