Student Profiles

Nejc Smole

Nejc Smole
Economics Major
Undergraduate and Master’s: University of Denver, Colorado

Why did you choose to study in the United States?
I primarily chose to study in the U.S. because the educational system allows athletic competition on a very high level yet offers a great education at the same time. It is a unique environment that has not been fully implemented anywhere else in the world. What I find fascinating about the U.S. education system is the wide variety of options offered to explore yourself and your passions.

What was different about studying in the U.S. versus studying in Slovenia?
There are two things that come to my mind right away. First, many colleges and universities in the U.S. are very internationally-oriented. Getting to know people from all over the world is not something most Slovenian students get while studying in Slovenia. Second, I did not have the family support system in the U.S. at first. I was an ocean away from home and I had to manage everything by myself in a foreign land, which is not the easiest task for an 18-year old who is very attached to his parents and sister. It takes courage and belief in yourself to step out of your comfort zone and into unknown, but the rewards are substantial.

Was there anything you found surprising about the U.S. in your time there?
As a student-athlete, I was surprised by the recognition and appreciation of the hard work that I put into the classroom and the tennis court. The college environment in the U.S. is very supportive of extra-curricular activities and the talents an individual possesses. I was also positively surprised by the effort that professors put in during lectures, as well as their accessibility for one-on-one “office hours” outside the classroom, just to make sure concepts and ideas being discussed sunk into students’ knowledge base.At first I could not understand their ‘generosity,’ but after I have seen some hefty checks that students send in for their education, I realized that education (especially higher education) in the U.S. is a very lucrative business and students are considered as customers whose demands have to be met, or they will leave for another university. The concept of competition between universities is very well developed in the U.S. just because there are thousands of providers of education nationwide, while in Slovenia for example competition is limited.
 
What would you say to students who say “Why should I study in the U.S.?” particularly when they can get a nearly free education in Slovenia?
Surely it might sound insane to parents of a Slovenian soon-to-be student to drop $25.000 to $60.000 a year for education in the U.S. while a student could basically get it for free in Slovenia. However, most Slovenes are not yet too familiar with the concept of ‘scholarships’ which many U.S. colleges offer. Universities in the U.S. have a scholarship budget which they then divide on different areas such as academics, athletics, international student assistance, etc. The path to education in the U.S. could be paved through scholarships, just like mine was. The thing you need to ask yourself is “What could I offer to the university?,” “What could I do better than others?,” or “How could the university in the U.S. benefit from the skills I posses?.” You need to understand that the American way of thinking is “When there is a will, there is a way.”

What was your most memorable experience, either socially or academically?
I was a member of the varsity tennis team for five years and the friendships I have made with teammates and coaches will last for a lifetime. 

What advice would you give students who are interested in pursuing some form of higher education in the U.S.?
The paperwork and bureaucratic processes that you would need to process are definitely worth of the experience of studying in the U.S.

How did your experience studying in the U.S. contribute to your career path?
The biggest asset from studying in the U.S. is not so much the knowledge I have received in the classroom, but the relationships that I have developed with people from all over the world. Since our world is getting smaller or “flatter” as some like to say, our lives will become more connected and integrated. Being exposed to an environment that stimulates a ‘world without borders’ mentality is a great fit for any career path.

Nejc can be reached at: nsmole@du.edu