Insights from Professor Marina Stanic on the International Teaching Week

At first glance, you would not guess that Marina has been in academia for twenty years. Her warm nature and delightful personality make her remarkably approachable. She values the pursuit of knowledge so deeply that she once joked she would have become a professional learner if such a career path existed.

Her time with students at the faculty left a strong impression. Marina particularly appreciated the diversity in her classrooms. In her Social Sciences class, a first-year cohort, students came from at least three different continents. Discussing topics like social inequality, the role of education, and the future of work with such a varied group was, in her words, a truly rewarding experience. As an educator, she is intentional about creating space for students to share their perspectives. She believes this helps her offer the best possible support for their growth.

Her mentoring skills also shone during the Faculty Hackathon Competition, where students pitched business ideas after an intensive two-day workshop. Marina worked one-on-one with three teams, and the experience gave her valuable insights into how students think and problem-solve.

Beyond academics, Marina has grown fond of Pécs. Just an hour’s drive from her home in Osijek, the city has become a treasured getaway for her and her two children. Her favourite spot is the botanical garden. She finds the two towns remarkably similar: both are friendly, safe, and centred around their universities. She also notes a strong connection between the university and the local business community, especially the SME sector, as another common feature. Given her various collaborations with the Faculty of Business and Economics, she expects to keep visiting Pécs regularly.

One of the highlights of the entire week, she says, was connecting with scholars from Pécs and around the world. These meaningful conversations happened both in formal workshops and informal social events. Comparing her own approaches with those of colleagues from different backgrounds was an invaluable experience.

For Marina Stanic, the International Teaching Week was more than an exchange of syllabi or teaching methods. It was a reminder of why she entered academia in the first place: the chance to learn alongside others, to listen carefully to young people from around the world, and to grow as both an educator and a human being. Her reflections show that sometimes the most valuable outcomes of such weeks are not measured in certificates or partnerships, but in the quiet moments of connection—across a classroom table, in a botanical garden, or over coffee between workshops. And it is those moments, she would likely agree, that make teaching and learning together truly worthwhile.

By: Simiyu Abigael Simuli