A World of New Perspectives: The FELU Experience

Karolina Rakovec, 2nd year student, University Degree Programme in Business and Economics, English track (UPEŠ), International Business, and a member of the Association of Female Students of Business Studies

Sebastijan Furlani, 2nd year student, University Degree Programme in Business and Economics (UPEŠ), Bank and Financial Management

Karolina Rakovec and Sebastijan Furlani, prospective 2nd-year FELU students in the University Degree Programme in Business and Economics (UPEŠ), talk about their study experiences at the FELU and the impact the studies has had on their own development.

What are the most rewarding things you have learned at the FELU so far?

Karolina Rakovec: Besides rich knowledge from the field of economics, I believe the most rewarding thing I have learned thus far from my study experience at the FELU is the importance of striving towards development and broadening horizons, personally and professionally. During the course of my studies, I can feel it is easier to work in a field you are passionate about and interested in.

Sebastijan Furlani: I have definitely recognised the importance of knowledge, in its essence. Through the interweaving of courses and activities at the Faculty, I started enjoying new insights. The programme I am studying really prepares you to begin understanding the study topics not only conceptually but also in terms of their applied value. It is the latter, at least in my opinion, which is crucial. The FELU is a Faculty that helps you understand the breadth of phenomena, markets, societies, economies, and causative correlations generally.

How would you describe the FELU in three words?

Sebastijan Furlani: Modern, Challenging, Diverse

Karolina Rakovec: Encouraging, Full of Knowledge, Faculty of Opportunities

What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to face at the FELU?

Karolina Rakovec: The main challenges came in the first months of my studies at the FELU. Whenever we find ourselves in a new environment and learn new skills, we discover how much we still have to learn. The same thing happened to me last year, and this was followed by a period of adapting my old patterns to the study system at the FELU.

Sebastijan Furlani: I would point out the way of working requires self-initiative and fairly regular work from a student. The system does not command or dictate the tempo; this completely depends on the individual. Most activities are not compulsory so everyone has to recognise their own way of learning and the value of attending lectures and other activities. The freedom to decide on your own can easily become a mixed blessing. Personally, I really appreciate it; I think students are mature enough to make our own decisions and are hence responsible for the consequences.

Name the course or lecturer with the greatest impact on you and why?

Sebastijan Furlani: It’s always difficult to name a professor or a course, especially when you have a lot of high-quality alternatives. It would be hard to nominate a specific professor or a course since individual preferences are subjective. I am personally interested in thinking and discussions about the market, institutions and the functioning of market mechanisms. I am interested in the wider picture. Therefore, I could point out macroeconomics, which is comprehensive, it covers everything; from very conceptual abstract thinking to very specific empirical applications. The flexibility and usefulness are key factors for me.

Karolina Rakovec: Each professor has had a unique influence on me so I find it impossible to select only one. Certainly, I can say that with the professors I highly appreciate the fact they are important members of their professional community in the Slovenian and international environment. As a result, we can encounter real-life examples in classes and more easily formulate our opinions about happenings at home and abroad.

Which main competencies do you think you will gain while studying at the FELU?

Karolina Rakovec: I believe that studying at the FELU gives you much more than just bare definitions from textbooks. It seems to me that, after finishing my studies at the FELU, I will be richer for my extensive knowledge of economics and business, will gain a lot of experience with teamwork, international competencies, valuable acquaintances with already established experts and prospective colleagues and, last but not least, great progress in personal development.

Sebastijan Furlani: I believe key competencies are the ability to adapt to different scenarios and to cooperate with others in teams. The FELU gives considerable emphasis to working in a cooperative and international environment, which are today a necessity for any economist wishing to be competitive in the labour market.

Have you engaged in any extracurricular activities during your studies? What do you believe you have obtained from these experiences?

Sebastijan Furlani: I was actively involved in the top20 association, where each week we dealt with materials about current events, with an emphasis on European integrations and the economic and political consequences of Brexit. In addition to weekly commenting on articles, we participated in debates which were some kind of parliamentary simulations. I gained a lot of new knowledge and, especially during the weekly meetings, enjoyed both the formal and informal gatherings. This year, I joined the TopEF club where I would like to participate in event management.

Karolina Rakovec: I am a member of the Association of Female Students of Business Studies, which deals with further education and connecting female students of business studies. Within the association’s framework, I became acquainted with event management and the background of such organisations’ activities. At the same time, the association represents an extremely encouraging environment for developing my professional and personal skills. I would like to emphasise my cooperation with the Slovenian Academy of Management. Last year, as a co-author I wrote a paper for scientific consultation on risk management. I am very grateful for having had this opportunity, during which I experienced the work of researchers and met many authors who filled me with new knowledge and ideas. As mentioned, I greatly appreciate all of the opportunities the FELU offers to us in the field of international cooperation, so in the next semester I am leaving for a study exchange in Saint Petersburg. From the half-year of study abroad, I expect progress in my knowledge of international business, foreign cultures, languages and, finally, about myself.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Karolina Rakovec: In the future, I want to deal with business in the international environment. I am also interested in tourism and research work.

Sebastijan Furlani: In the short term, I see myself abroad; first on a student exchange, and later possibly as an employee of a foreign or international company. My wish is to get as much experience through internships as possible and improve my knowledge of foreign languages. In the long run, I see myself in my family-based company, where I want to use my knowledge acquired from the outside to successfully continue the entrepreneurial vision of my parents.

What was the highlight for you of the 2016/2017 academic year?

Karolina Rakovec: The last academic year was strongly marked by the 70th anniversary of the FELU, with all the events that accompanied and amplified the happenings at the Faculty.

Sebastijan Furlani: Each day is challenging and brings new experiences, therefore I would like to emphasise the whole 2016/2017 academic year.

Read more in the FELU’s Yearly Review 2016/2017.

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