Krsto Simicevic didn’t intend to be in graduate school. Having earned a degree in economics and management in June 2008 from ZSEM, a private business school in Zagreb, Croatia, he was adamant about entering the professional world. Instead, he finds himself at FIU, enrolled in the Master of International Business (MIB) program.
Why the switch?
“The MIB program changed my mind,” he said. “A professor at ZSEM who knew that I loved to travel and was interested in international topics urged me to look at the curriculum and at South Florida. Having done so, I decided I would defer my career and start graduate work at FIU.”
He has no regrets. In addition to the caliber of the courses he’s taken, he has appreciated the diversity of classmates.
“It’s very important to learn about other cultures, and this is the most diverse setting I’ve ever been in,” said Simicevic, who lived in Sydney, Australia until he was ten before moving to Croatia with his parents, both Croatians. “With the exception of Antarctica, we have students from every continent.”
Plans for the future resume.
Having delayed his career, Simicevic, slated to graduate in December 2009, is again considering his professional options. He wants to work in marketing, project management or product development, hopes to stay in South Florida and is looking at internships. He already has recommended the MIB program to others, offering to help them-including three students from ZSEM expected for the fall semester-make the transition.
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And, though he misses family, friends and the local cuisine, he finds Miami “a great place to be. It’s very active, vibrant, very young, always moving and unique.”
Visit from ZSEM dean strengthens relationship.
Djuro Njavro, ZSEM’s dean, visited the Chapman Graduate School in April 2009. Discussions focused on cooperation between MIS programs, the college’s new undergraduate dual degree initiative, a faculty exchange and an FIU visit to ZSEM to inform students about the college’s programs.
