Alumni Interview with Tomislav Lipovac

What inspired you to go abroad?

I am an aspiring business student that was seeking to expand my network of contacts in an international environment, while studying a topic that is applicable in everyday business situations.

Why did you choose Zagreb School of Economics and Management?

I chose the specific program because it was a topic that I was interested in studying and felt that this summer program was the best way to do it. The accreditation that the organization has was a reinsurance of its quality.

What was your favorite part about Zagreb?

Some of my favorite things about Zagreb included the nightlife, the inexpensive food and drink, and the beautiful sights.

What made your experience abroad unique?

The fact that I got to work with people from all over the world that were able to provide different perspectives on the same scenarios. The program had a healthy blend of working and networking that allowed me to get to know my classmates both inside and outside the classroom.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The administrative staff was there for me from the very first inquiries that I sent to the time that the program ended and I needed to get confirmation for various aspects of the program from my home university.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I wish that I would have booked my flight home at a later day so that I could spend a few more days exploring the city of Zagreb and the surrounding area.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

The typical day consisted of around three hours of lectures and three hours of company visits. The lectures were a combination of theory and practical exercises, the company visits were speeches and company tours of successful Croatian entrepreneurs. In between this there was time for lunch and coffee breaks. The evenings consisted of exploring the city of Zagreb with your newly made friends.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoyed exploring the city of Zagreb, its beautiful architecture, museums, and its lively nightlife.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

The school organized accommodation for those who wanted it at a hotel in the city center as well as a bus that would take you to and from the campus.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

The participants should know not to book their flights home immediately as they will definitely want to stay a few extra days to explore the city further.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

I met new friends, learned about new cultures, and lived through new experiences.

Would you recommend Zagreb School of Economics and Management to others? Why?

Yes. The program is relatively short and inexpensive, but it is thorough. The week long program will provide you with the necessary information needed to handle negotiations in the professional business world. Also, you will meet many interesting people and expand your professional network of contacts.

What was the hardest part about studying abroad?

Given that I was only there for a week during the summer I wouldn't know what to list as the hardest part. The staff at the international office of the host university were able to dedicate all of their time and effort towards helping us out with everything and organized almost every part of the program for our convenience.

What surprised you most about Zagreb?

What surprised me the most about Zagreb was how calm and relaxed the city and the people in it are.

How difficult was it to communicate with locals?

The majority of the people that I interacted with such as waiters and shop keepers had a proficient level of English.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before studying abroad in Croatia?

What I wish that I would have known before was about some of the other cities and towns besides Zagreb that were close by, I would have liked to stay longer but I had already booked my flight home before.

If you could study abroad again, where would you go?

I would go somewhere where I have not been before like an East Asian country.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of studying abroad is?

Since I was only studying abroad for a week I would highlight meeting new people as the biggest benefit. I didn't have time to learn the language, culture, and history of the place, but those are certainly benefits of longer exchange programs.