My name is Dorja Blažić, and I am a student at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, as well as a multiple-time national champion in fencing (foil discipline). My decision to enroll at ZSEM was the result of a fortunate series of events. As a high school graduate, I had offers for scholarships from prestigious American universities and seriously considered studying abroad. However, given my close relationship with my mother, who did not want me to leave so soon, she decided to reach out to ZSEM for information. At that moment, scholarship applications had just opened, so she encouraged me to apply. I was awarded the highest scholarship and ultimately decided to stay in Croatia— a decision I have never regretted, as ZSEM has met all my expectations.
Balancing professional sports and university studies is often a huge challenge, especially since I am a perfectionist and strive to excel in both areas. I study at airports, stay up late at night, and sometimes have to sacrifice my social life. However, my strong work ethic and high motivation are the keys to my success. The support from ZSEM also plays a crucial role—without their understanding and flexibility, balancing all my commitments would be nearly impossible.
I make an effort to attend as many lectures as possible and actively participate to better retain the material. The professors are extremely accommodating, and my classmates help me by sharing notes and keeping me updated on projects. I dedicate my weekends to studying, as exams are usually held on Mondays.
The professors at ZSEM truly understand the needs of students with unique commitments. Due to frequent travel for competitions and training, I often miss exams and lectures, but my professors have always been supportive, allowing me to take tests at special times. Additionally, my classmates help with group projects and keep me informed about everything happening in class. Today, I consider them my friends, and the support system I have here plays a significant role in my success.
In my second year, I chose Sports Management as my concentration because I would love to combine sports and business. Although I am still figuring out the exact direction of my career, I know I want to remain connected to sports. The knowledge and skills I have gained at ZSEM, such as organization and stress management, will undoubtedly be valuable in my future.
Every day in my life is dynamic. My morning starts with training, followed by a quick lunch at home and a walk with my dog, Kaja. After that, I head to the university—whenever I am in Zagreb, I make sure to attend lectures because I find it the best way to learn. In the afternoon, I spend time at the gym, and I try to dedicate my evenings to myself, my family, and my friends.
I believe that an athlete should not be limited solely to sports. While sports are healthy and important, young people need multiple interests and sources of fulfillment. Motivation and perseverance are key factors in success—if they are present, it is possible to achieve great results both in sports and academics. Additionally, sports teach us values that are useful in the business world, and vice versa.
I am still exploring my career options, but sports management seems like a great choice. I am also interested in finance, so I am not ruling out that path either. Overall, I am keeping my options open and looking forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead.
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