If I were to describe my academic experience as a Communication and PR student, I

would almost involuntarily refer to one of my favourite quotes: Every child is an artist. The

problem is how to remain an artist as he grows up. In Pablo Picasso’s mentioned words,

adulthood challenges you to reframe your pespectives as a means of preserving your genuine

creativity. My story found its winning perspective shift within an academic program.

When I started attending the Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication

Sciences I didn’t know much about the field and could not distinguish between feasible ideas

and mere ideals. However, during my three years of Communication and PR I was taught to

beautifully refine unfeasible ideas into purposeful projects that would enrich both my

knowledge as an individual and my acumen as a future communicator. In other words, I

learned to become a professional – to do what professionals do and think likewise. I learned

that academic classes need to be seen as a guideline and that what moves you forward should

be inward determination. I learned to work independently and value novelty. I learned that in

order to work in the field I have to be inquisitive, alive and sometimes importunate. I learned

to be persuasive, but to protect myself against manipulative attempts at the same time. I

learned the importance of strategic thinking and planning, without becoming rigidly

conventional. But above all, I learned the difference between good and best.

The learning by doing approach of the assistant professors enabled me to develop my

own research interests and pursue them further. Their guidance helped me gain expertise and

confidence. But, above all, it reassured me that I had made the right decision. Indeed,

communication was the surefire investment for me – social campaigns, speeches, strategies,

social psychology, focus-groups…social campaigns again. I am one of the lucky persons that

are now sure about what they want to do for the rest of their lives. So I most certainly have

what to be grateful for.

And I could not talk about my life as a PR student without including the amazing

movies and documentaries either watched within class or recommended, the books suggested

to be read, the witty jokes and stories, the sometimes philosophical arguments between the

student and the professor, the constant encouragement of personal opinion expression. I loved

it!

If I were to envision my life as a student once again, it would be exactly as above

described.