Interview with Jacek Mrozik – CIMBA MBA Jacek Mrozik (1993)
Agata Mrozik: Can you tell me about your experience at CIMBA in 1993?
Jacek Mrozik: Sure! My time at CIMBA was a little different from what it is today. Back then, they offered a Computer Science program, a Hospitality program, and Business Management through Clemson University, along with a collaboration with Universities in Texas. There was a larger diversity of the student body. We had a large group of Italians, as well as students from Eastern Europe and America, with about a third from each region.
Agata Mrozik: How did this cultural mix impact your experience?
Jacek Mrozik: We were all placed in mixed-apartment settings, which created a rich cultural environment. I really valued this experience. Being surrounded by such a variety of cultures broadened my perspective of life in general. Everyone brought something different to the table from opinions, way of thinking, living and understanding things.
Agata Mrozik: How did your time at CIMBA influence your career?
Jacek Mrozik: It played a significant role in changing my career path. I had a degree in electronic engineering, but my experience at CIMBA helped me transition into marketing and business. I gained more experience in that one year than I did in four years of undergraduate school. The intensity of the program really accelerated my learning. It was truly a great thing to not only learn in class about business but to go out and see how things work in real life – to talk to workers and managers of big companies and be able to ask them questions and get honest answers straight from the source instead of just reading about it from a textbook.
Agata Mrozik: What about the professors made a difference?
Jacek Mrozik: The professors were highly motivated since they moved to Italy to teach. They were always ready to engage, and their professionalism was impressive.
Agata Mrozik: How was the organization of the program?
Jacek Mrozik: Everything was very well organized, which contributed to a seamless learning experience.
Agata Mrozik: Can you share a unique aspect of the curriculum?
Jacek Mrozik: One of the best things was the balance between theory and practice. We didn’t just learn concepts; we got to see and experience them firsthand, which was invaluable.
Agata Mrozik: How did the cultural classes enhance your learning?
Jacek Mrozik: The cultural classes provided a social perspective, allowing us to learn about various cultures in real life. Being around people from different countries really opened our eyes to new viewpoints.
Agata Mrozik: What do you wish for me to gain from this program?
Jacek Mrozik: I know you will gain an opportunity to do whatever you please after this program. You won’t be bound to your Art Education Degree. You will be able to really achieve things much larger than you can imagine. What you do is absolutely up to you but you will definitely have more options in life on where you can go next. You will create lifelong friendships and have incredible opportunities to grow as a person. I know living away from everything you’ve known in a country where you don’t speak the language is uncomfortable but change shouldn’t be comfortable and it is through change that we grow and learn the most. My biggest wish for you is to accept all the opportunities given to you and make the best out of them.
