Staff Interview with Ivanka Rajh

What inspired you to work for Zagreb School of Economics and Management (ZSEM) and in the sector of International Education?

I think that study abroad programs are the easiest way for students to learn about different cultures and systems. Such experience will help them quickly adapt to their working environments, which tend to be very diversified in today’s globalized world.

Have your previous travel endeavors helped you in your current role?

Definitely! I have a lot of experience traveling as a student, but also as a business traveler and tourist, so I can help students resolve different issues they might have regarding their study abroad plans.

What is your best piece of travel advice for prospective students?

Be open-minded! Show curiosity, but also respect! Things that seem strange to you may be quite normal and natural for the culture you’re visiting.

How do you ensure success for your students while they are abroad?

My students know that I will answer their emails right away when they write me about problems they face abroad, so that is very reassuring for them.

What other types of support systems or orientation activities are students provided with?

ZSEM’s International office staff are very competent regarding all sorts of issues students may encounter during their study abroad experience. Beginning in the planning phase, students receive advice on which classes to choose in the receiving institution, where and how to look for accommodation, as well as advice on possibilities of doing their internship in the same destination. ZSEM students who have previous exchange experience with the particular city or institution are also glad to help their colleagues embarking on a study abroad adventure.

What does a normal day at work look like for you?

First, I deal with all of my emails, then I prepare for classes and work with students. If I am not in the classroom, I am doing research in my office or in the library. I also have office hours for my students so they can come and discuss with me anything they want.

Why do you think traveling is so important in the world today?

Traveling is important because we live in an interconnected world and we all depend on each other. However, diverse cultures and systems shape they way we think and work, so traveling helps us understand each other better.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?

I would travel to a country that is very different from Croatia, like Iran or China. Both of these destinations are ancient civilizations, very different from the European ones, so I think I could see and learn a lot there.

Why do you think Croatia is a great place for international students to study?

Croatia is a small country with long history and beautiful landscapes, so it’s easy to see all of that in a limited period of time. Furthermore, Croatia is traditionally a tourist destination so people are used to helping foreigners even when they don’t speak their language.

The weather is nice, as well as the food, and everything is quite affordable compared to the west European countries. Also, Zagreb is well connected with other capitals of Europe so students can easily travel across the continent.

What is the most common thing about Croatia that surprises students?

Drinking coffee for hours with your friends is one of the most important Croatian customs. So, coffee bars are full of people at all times of the day. If you are invited for a coffee, don’t feel obliged to actually drink coffee. The point is in socializing, so you can order tea, lemonade, or beer.

Do you have any academic tips for students coming to study in Croatia and at ZSEM?

Try and team up with students of different backgrounds so that your experience is not only academic but also cultural, which is very important for your later professional life.

What do you love most about your job?

I love working with students of different backgrounds and helping them discover each other’s worlds. It is nice to have international students in my classroom because they open our eyes for things that we haven’t perceived before.

Has being a conference and free-lance interpreter for many European organizations helped you as a lecturer at ZSEM?

Absolutely! Working for the EU institutions is a privilege because you participate in discussions that concern all European citizens. Decisions that are taken at the EU level affect companies and economies across Europe and since ZSEM is a business school, it’s important to pay attention to current topics and debates.