Ivana Kosec

Dear Ivana, please tell us a little about yourself.

I am 23 years old and I am currently a second year graduate student of Business Economics, majoring in Management. I come from Prelog, one of the three cities in Međimurje. As a graduate, I joined the work of the Rotaract association, in which I am still active. On a project, I came to Rijeka, fell in love with the city and decided to study here. During these five years, it proved to be a real "river of dreams” because of all the opportunities it offered me and the adventures that completed my student period.

You are the winner of the Dean's Award for activism in academic year 2019. /2020. What does this award mean to you?

I see the Dean's Award for Student Activism as a nice confirmation at the end of these five years of study for all the effort I have invested in the work of the Faculty, the University, and the community through the associations in which I volunteer.

You participate in the work of many committees, associations, councils and commissions, but also other projects that contribute to the student standard at our Faculty, and also at the University of Rijeka in general. Which ones would you highlight as the most important? Which ones make you most proud?

Uh, hard question! Last academic year, I was the president of the Student Union of the Faculty of Economics and business. The position of president was an additional motivation for me to do my best for the most successful results of the project and to promote our Union in the best possible light. I became a member of the Faculty Council, a member of the Committee for Quality Assurance and Improvement of the Faculty of Economics and business in Rijeka, a member of the Ethics Committee and a representative of the Faculty of Economics and business in the Assembly of the Student Union of the University of Rijeka. I participated in the accreditation of our Faculty with EPAS accreditation, re-accreditation by the Agency for Knowledge and Higher Education, advocated for raising the quality of teaching and for the best academic life of students at the Faculty of Economics and business in Rijeka. As a student representative at the University, I advocated for our Faculty and the interests of our students. As the head of the Office for Associations at the University, using knowledge I gained I had the opportunity to implement new ideas for organizing activities, motivating members of University associations for work and effort and more successful project implementation. I also participated in the organization of the largest project of the University, the Student Day Festival. At the University, I held positions as a member of various committees, and I would like to highlight the deputy member of the Senate of the University of Rijeka and a member of the Expert Council of the Center for Studies. As our University joined the European project YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe), I became a representative of the University of Rijeka on this project. These are just some of the functions at the Faculty and University that have stuck in my memory.

" YUFE is a European Union project that signifies a partnership of young European universities. The aim is to reshape European higher education by establishing a student-centered open university model. It provides students in Rijeka with the opportunity to study, learn a new language, volunteer and improve their skills in ten different countries!”

Tell us a bit more about the European YUFE project and what it provides to UNIRI students?

YUFE is a European Union project that signifies a partnership of young European universities. The aim is to reshape European higher education by establishing a student-centered open university model. It provides students in Rijeka with the opportunity to study, learn a new language, volunteer and improve their skills in as many as ten different countries. All activities and achievements are documented in the YUFE Diploma Supplement. Efforts are made in the direction of establishing  a YUFE virtual campus so that students can attend the online courses of their choice, and a student ID card will be soon introduced to be accepted at European level. Students will be given the opportunity to contribute to the community in their neighborhood and to foster a culture of mutual support in all YUFE cities and communities. I participated in the YUFE project as a student representative of our University. I was part of the YUFE Student Union and part of Working Group 7 (Integrity & Diversity) and participated in meetings and gatherings in Bremen and Nicosia.

What is the most important thing you have learned by participating in projects and other activities?

The lesson I learned is how to be a team player. I think that the experience gained in volunteering and working on various projects will be extremely useful in the future. I learned how to make something out of nothing, how to work and be creative under pressure, make decisions, lead projects, give lectures, presentations, speeches in front of a crowd of strangers, lead a conference - and most importantly, don't give up, work for a team and collaborate with people (even those who are not dear to you at all).

To what extent do you apply the knowledge acquired during your studies in your work on extracurricular activities?

The knowledge gained during my studies I like to divide in theory and practice. I consider most lectures within the Faculty to be theory. I never thought grades were a measure of knowledge. I do not want to underestimate anyone, but as successful people I consider those who are engaged in various extracurricular activities, who are active in volunteer associations and organizations, who are involved in various projects, organize conferences and regularly perform study obligations. I think the most important thing is balance. We need to know how to prioritize without neglecting any part. I have been working on this for all five years and will make full use of this knowledge over the future. I wanted to be successful in extracurricular activities and better prepare for work in the future, and I wanted to finish college within five years. I can only say that I achieved everything I set out to do.

"It is important not to be satisfied with small things, but always do your best and move on to bigger things. Many people graduate from college every day. It is important to stand out from the crowd, fill your resume with your "adventures" and never give up on your dreams.”

How do you manage to balance all your obligations?

Organization is the key to everything. The more responsibilities I have, the easier it is for me to function. I just make a "to-do” list and tick off what I did.

What is your motivation?

Since I regularly participate in various conferences either within or outside the Faculty, I have often come to this question. I find that I actually motivate myself with my accomplishments. Frequent sleepless nights lead to a great outcome of the project and only then, can I stop, process and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Activity through projects, associations, commissions, councils, committees, etc., are just some of the actions that complement me. In the first year of my undergraduate studies, I started volunteering for the Student Union of the Faculty of Economics, and a few years later, I became the president of the same Association. I will remember student life for my activism during all 5 years of study.

You will graduate in a few months. What are your plans for the future? In which direction would you like to build your career?

Since high school, I have been working in a family company that deals with bookkeeping and accounting. So far, I have worked during the summer and winter holidays, but soon this is becoming my daily job. My plan is to take over the family business after a few years of running. However, accounting is not something I would want to do all my life. In addition, I plan to continue volunteering and working on projects, and after a while when I put everything in order, who knows where life will take me. I leave the various options open because my ambitious soul will not be satisfied with just that.

A message for the end?

Adventures are the best way to learn! Life is full of adventures, ups and downs. Everyone has a different definition of adventure. For some it is to finish college, for some to travel the world, for some to organize projects…, and for some it is all together. It is important not to be satisfied with small things, but always do your best and move on to bigger things. Many people graduate from college every day. It is important to stand out from the crowd, fill your resume with your "adventures" and never give up on your dreams.

March, 2021