1You have completed your undergraduate studies at EFRI - have your expectations been met?
Honestly, I don’t remember exactly what my expectations were, but I can say that after graduation I am certainly satisfied with my undergraduate studies at EFRI. When enrolling, I did not have a clear idea of the differences between different occupations related to the economic and financial profession, and I believe that most students do not have a clear picture when enrolling. For this reason, I really like the fact that the undergraduate study is wide enough and everyone has the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the area they are interested in, so they can narrow their interest in the graduate study. The breadth of the undergraduate course really helped me understand what I want exactly and what areas I´m good at. As far as knowledge is concerned, I think I have gained a very good foundation, from which I already have benefits, and it will certainly only serve me later in life.
2In the academic year 2018/19. you received the Dean’s Award for Excellence. How did this award affect the further course of your education? Did it motivate you?
It was a great honor to receive recognition from the Dean and the entire Faculty. It’s certainly nice when you put in the effort, and then that effort is recognized and rewarded by someone. Still, I have to say that was by no means my motivation. In general, I think it is very important to find some intrinsic motivation of your own, and even more important to build good work habits. I am convinced that if a person has a goal, loves and is interested in what he is learning and still manages to organize himself to be a regular in everyday work - then nothing is difficult and success is guaranteed.
However, I could say that two professors left a stronger impression on me and that it motivated me in some way, and that is prof. Škalamera-Alilović and prof. Zaninović, on whose course I was also a demonstrator. I want to thank them this way!
3You continued your graduate studies at London's CASS Business School. How did you decide to take that step? What are your impressions of London?
My mom says that you only have to be smart twice in your life: "Then when you choose a profession, and when you choose a spouse." The saying is funny, but there may be truths and that’s why choosing a graduate degree wasn’t easy. There were more options and offers I also received from some much more famous universities. However, one should be very careful and research in which areas a particular university builds quality, and these are mostly medicine, physics or law. I would like to thank my colleague August Marčan, who has already done thorough research and filtering of foreign faculties before me, so he could advise me.
As for the impressions from London, I can only say all the best here. A very positive environment, new friends and colleagues from all over the world, new experiences, and it's great when you walk the streets you saw in famous movies every day. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything in London that can’t be tried or seen.
4How does studying in London look like at the time of the coronavirus pandemic?
Challenging! Currently, all classes are held entirely online and that is why I am in Croatia, but I hope that at the time of publication of this interview I will be in London, in the Faculty building. Since I am majoring in MSc Quantitative Finance, all courses are quantitative in nature and it is not easy to master this type of material online. There’s also a bit of a weird atmosphere in college because everyone has masks and I`ve never seen faces of certain colleagues. However, students manage in various ways. For example, while it was allowed, we grouped 6 people every day to socialize and took turns. Furthermore, a maximum of 3 hours a day is allowed to be spent on the Faculty premises, where we also socialize and use that time to get acquainted with resources that are only available at the Faculty. The city itself has some advantages during a pandemic. For example, we have the opportunity to see all the sights in peace, without the big crowds. All in all, not so bad. If I could turn back time, I would do the same and go to study this year.
5During your studies at EFRI, you participated in a number of activities - you were EFRI Buddy, a member of the Student Union… Do you think that such experiences are important during the studies?
I believe that such experiences are as important as the study itself. I can truly say that I have been very active in many “extracurricular” activities, both as a demonstrator and in various organizations. In all these organizations, and primarily in the Student Union, I went through both good and bad, but I think I was part of a team that did a lot of good things. What is most important to me from student organizations is that I have met good and ambitious people. In general, in addition to a lot of learning, there was a lot of socializing during undergraduate studies. I’ve made many friendships that I’m sure will last a lifetime, and I might even get into a business relationship with some of them
6How do you see yourself over the next 10 years? What are your goals and desires?
I will return to Croatia. I already have plans where will I be working upon my return. Also, I definitely plan to continue my education, but I’m still not sure in what form. The possibility of writing a doctoral thesis according to the Scandinavian model at the Faculty of Economics in Rijeka seems to me an interesting and attractive option, but it is still too early to talk about it. As for the longer term, I plan to be flexible and adapt to the opportunities that come my way in the future.
7What is your advice as a member of the ALUMNI EFRI community to future generations?
I have to admit that it is a bit strange for me to be called an alumni already and it is difficult for me to give advice to someone when I am the first one that should be listening to the advices of others and still have a lot ahead of me. If I really have to say something, then my advice to current and future students is to understand what they love as soon as possible and become experts in it. Sports fans know how to list the players of all famous teams, the style of play of opposing teams, previous results, who scored goals in previous matches, who was injured and countless other information. Try to be equally knowledgeable and know all the new trends related to what you want to do. And another thing - don’t leave college without new friends!