Sunrise in the mountains often marks the beginning of the day for Roko Begović – a young Croatian alpine skier who already boasts impressive performances in the European Cup, the Winter Universiade in Turin 2025, and the World Championship in Giant Slalom. This year, he achieved his tenth FIS victory and earned the best FIS points of his career, confirming his consistent upward trajectory and dedication to top results.
But alongside the challenges of sports, Roko has also chosen an academic path – one at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, where he is studying Economics and Management.
His decision to enroll at ZSEM came after seeing a post on Instagram. “I scheduled a meeting with the university, and they explained in detail how I could study and train at the same time – and that’s when I knew it was the right choice for me,” Roko recalls. Skiing, he says, is a sport that demands complete discipline – his day starts at 6:30 AM, he trains until early afternoon, and he divides the rest of his day between studying, equipment prep, and fitness training.
In such a demanding schedule, university support is crucial. “ZSEM has supported me on several occasions, especially when I lost my study rhythm after a long season,” says Roko. One key moment was a meeting with Vice Dean Karmela Aleksić Maslać, who helped him create a realistic plan to catch up with coursework and prepare for exams.
For Roko, studying isn’t just a safety net for life after sports – it’s a tool he’s already using today. “I’m sure that my studies will help my career. You can only be an athlete for a certain period, so studying alongside sport can be an investment in life after your athletic career,” he explains.
He also adds that the knowledge he’s gaining in economics and management, along with the habits developed through studying, contribute to his everyday organization and discipline – values that are the foundation of professional sport.
Roko doesn’t hide how much the program ZSEM offers to athletes means to him. He advises future fellow students: “Whenever you can, attend lectures and make the most of everything ZSEM offers – from exam prep to support from professors.”
And finally, he highlights what he himself lives by: “Studying at ZSEM isn’t just about gaining knowledge – it’s a place where athletes have the opportunity to grow in both directions, as students and as professionals.”
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