From Local Roots to Global Heights: Szilvia Kazmer’s Journey from Pécs to the World

At the University of Pécs, Szilvia pursued her dual master’s degree in English and Teaching at the Faculty of Humanities. While her academic roots were planted firmly in literature and linguistics, her hunger for practical experience soon pushed her beyond the classroom. During her studies, she took a transformative year abroad in Australia — an experience that sparked her passion for international communication, self-reliance, and lifelong learning.

Returning home, she completed her MA while simultaneously building real-world experience through volunteer work and internships. “I realized that studying alone would give me a restricted version of the world,” Szilvia reflected. “I had to step outside my comfort zone and explore.”

Throughout this time, Szilvia maintained an interest in the business world. Whether through her earlier vocational training in international trade, her experiences abroad, or her participation in programs like the Simonyi Summer Program organized by the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Pécs, business concepts continued to play an important role in shaping her perspective.

The Simonyi Summer Program allowed her to work on real-world business cases with students from around the world, blending academic knowledge with practical challenges. It strengthened her decision to dive deeper into the business field in a more structured way.

Recognizing the value of combining her teaching background with business skills, Szilvia decided to return to the Faculty of Business and Economics to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management.
Here, she found an environment that fostered not just academic knowledge but also innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and international collaboration.

"Studying business gave me the structure I needed,” Szilvia explained. “Theory is not just about memorizing; it’s about understanding frameworks that allow you to build something meaningful — whether that's a career or a company.”

Throughout her academic life, Szilvia was no stranger to hard work. Balancing a teaching job while attending business courses taught her how to manage time efficiently and connect theory with real-world practice.

“When I read about theories in business or leadership, I could immediately link them to the experiences I was having outside of the classroom,” she said.

The Faculty of Business and Economics stood out not just for its curriculum, but for its close ties with companies, its strong support for international students, and its commitment to preparing students for both the Hungarian and global job markets.

Volunteering as a Gateway to Professional Growth

While studying and working, Szilvia also immersed herself in volunteer initiatives that left a lasting impact on her professional mindset. One of her most memorable projects was organizing the Christmas Carol Concerts in Pécs, coordinating more than 150 performers from diverse backgrounds.

"It wasn’t just about organizing an event—it was about building a community, motivating people, and managing a project with real deadlines and responsibilities," she shared.

Her passion and organizational skills did not go unnoticed: after one event, she even received an offer to continue working on similar cultural projects.
 Though she ultimately chose to continue her academic path, the experience confirmed her belief that leadership, creativity, and a sense of community are vital parts of any career — and that stepping outside traditional roles can open unexpected doors.

LifeCraft Academy®: Turning Lessons into a Mission

Today, Szilvia has brought all these experiences together through LifeCraft Academy®, a startup dedicated to helping young people develop practical life skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and adaptability.

LifeCraft is more than just another educational platform — it is Szilvia’s personal mission to bridge the gap between traditional education and the real-world competencies young professionals need.

"Many students leave school with academic knowledge but without the tools to handle stress, failure, negotiation, or teamwork. LifeCraft aims to close that gap," she explained.

Her vision for LifeCraft Academy® grew directly from her international education, her leadership roles in university activities, and her professional experience managing multicultural teams.

"Building a startup requires structure, leadership, creativity, and resilience — all things that were deeply reinforced during my time at the University of Pécs, especially at the Faculty of Business and Economics,” she emphasized.

Final Reflections and Advice to Students

For current and future students, Szilvia offers timeless advice:

• “Never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Growth happens there.”
  

• “Find mentors who will guide you but also challenge you to think bigger.”
  

• “Pair your academic learning with real-world practice whenever possible.”
  
  
  

Her journey is proof that whether you are a local or international student, the University of Pécs—and especially the Faculty of Business and Economics—offers a platform to dream bigger, explore wider, and build a career without borders.

As Szilvia puts it:

"You don’t have to have it all figured out at once. Stay open, stay curious — and trust your journey."