My name is Mihael Udovičić, I come from Zagreb, and handball has been part of my life for the past ten years. It all started out of pure love for the sport, but over time that love grew into a goal – to play handball at the highest level, to one day compete in the Champions League, and to play for the senior Croatian national team. Today, I play for MRK Sesvete, currently the third-best team in Croatia and a participant in the EHF European League, and I am also a member of the Croatian junior national team.
However, alongside these dreams, I always knew that I wanted a serious education as well. For me, there was never an “either-or” option. It has always been “both.”
I completed the IB program at MIOC, which in itself was a demanding experience. The IB taught me discipline, time management, and thinking outside the box – skills that are just as important to me on the court as they are in the classroom. Balancing intense training sessions, matches, travel, and academic responsibilities was not easy, but that very pace shaped me. When the time came to choose a university, I knew I needed an institution that truly understands athletes – not just on paper, but in reality. That is why I chose ZSEM.
A decisive role in that decision was played by Ante Kaleb and Tea Pernar, who helped me a lot during the application process. They explained how the university genuinely supports athletes and showed me that here, a dual career is not just a phrase, but real support.
At ZSEM, I found exactly what I was looking for – a serious and high-quality education, but also understanding for my athletic path. If I cannot attend classes because of sports commitments, it is not seen as a problem that creates pressure, but rather as a situation that is resolved through communication and understanding. Professors show respect for my sporting commitments and treat me as a student who takes his responsibilities seriously while also building a professional sports career.
What means a lot to me is the possibility to take midterms and exams at alternative times if I am at training camps, tournaments, or European away matches. This gives me the confidence that I don’t have to choose between the jersey and the books – I can give my best in both areas.
Playing for MRK Sesvete and the Croatian junior national team carries great responsibility. The trainings are intense, the matches demanding, and the ambitions high. My goal is clear – the Champions League and the Croatian senior national team. I know that the path to get there is long and full of challenges, but I also know that I want to have strong foundations outside of sport.
Studying at ZSEM gives me that security. I am developing a business mindset, learning how the economy works, and gaining knowledge that will one day help me – whether in banking, entrepreneurship, or another field. For me, education is not a plan B. It is part of my plan A.
ZSEM is not just the institution where I study. It is a place where I feel support, understanding, and encouragement to become better – both as an athlete and as a person. I have learned that the discipline from the court applies in the classroom as well, and that the responsibility from university helps me become more stable and mature on the court.
My path is not easy, but it is mine. I don’t choose between the handball court and the classroom – I build both worlds in parallel. And I believe that this combination is exactly what makes me stronger, more determined, and ready for everything that lies ahead.
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